The Schuylkill Center’s Organic Community Garden is in full swing as we head into harvest season. The Gardens are comprised of 481 plots, each measuring roughly 16’ x 20’. In the height of the season, one can find towering yellow corn, bright red heirloom tomatoes, meandering flower beds, and more, growing side-by-side in this maze of plots. Most gardeners grow fresh food for their families, knowing that local and organic veggies are healthy, tasty and dependable. Others use their plots to create an outdoor oasis to escape to, and enjoy the camaraderie of other gardeners who share useful tips for composting, novel plants, and how to get rid of unwanted critters. Some gardeners grow produce and vegetables for their families, churches and neighbors. One family grows for their restaurant. Still others, including Ruth Harvey, have been growing and harvesting vegetables to donate to emergency food programs. Ruth takes her produce to Fresh Start, a program based in an area of West Philadelphia where finding fresh produce is almost impossible. "I take most of what I grow in about every two weeks: tomatoes, cucumbers, greens of all kinds, eggplant, peppers, basic herbs, string beans–whatever I am growing,” says Ruth. “When I take in my tomatoes, you would think I was bringing diamonds. There are no fresh tomatoes around there…Older people have to take a bus to get fresh stuff, and carry it home–not so easy when you are 80 years old and a bit frail.” Ruth is interested in organizing other gardeners who would be willing to donate a bit of their fresh, locally grown bounty to area food banks. “This year I want to try to see if other gardeners want to donate as well…I see veggies dying on the vine that could be used to help feed hungry families.” Plots for the 2009 growing season will be available this March. The rental fee is $40 each and restricted to members only. For more information about The Gardens, please contact Peter Malandra, Membership Coordinator, at 215-482-7300 x117. |