HOW DOES YOUR GARDEN GROW?
Gardeners celebrate the health and social benefits of growing at awards ceremony
More than 30 people of all ages walked away from the 2019 Home Garden Contest Awards Ceremony a little richer, as they took home cash prizes for their winning entries.
An awards ceremony held at Brookside County Club on Aug. 25 recognized Pottstown and Boyertown residents who entered this year’s gardening competition. Homeowners and renters who resided within one of the two boroughs were eligible to enter the contest for a chance to win up to $150. People who won first through third place or an honorable mention received a cash prize.
This year’s contest had categories for vegetables, flowers, small spaces, young gardeners, and butterflies. The two municipalities had separate judging and separate prizes but all participants were invited to a joint awards ceremony. Dave Kraybill, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation president, welcomed the attendees and explained the purpose of the annual contest.
“The contest mission is to encourage and support gardening for both beginners and experienced gardeners, as this contributes to the physical and mental health of residents and promotes a sense of community among the residents of the Pottstown and Boyertown boroughs,” Kraybill said.
He said a total of 52 gardens were entered in this year’s contest and encouraged everyone present to invite others to participate next year.
“This is a good thing and it’s growing,” Kraybill said.
The Home Garden Contest is made possible through a collaboration between the health foundation, Mosaic Community Land Trust and Building a Better Boyertown. Representatives of each make up the contest committee which organizes the annual growing event.
Daniel Price, Mosaic community garden manager, announced and awarded the gardens of the Pottstown Borough.
Mosaic has existed for almost a decade and now has five community gardens throughout Pottstown. There are two gardens along Chestnut Street, one permaculture at the intersection of Charlotte and Walnuts streets and two gardens at elementary schools in the area.
In 2016, a community garden with more than 20 plots was added in front of Barth Elementary School. Another garden was added to Rupert Elementary School this summer.
“Residents of the community or organizations can rent garden plots from us and then we provide the tools, literally, and the dirt, and seeds, and plants to get them started on growing their own healthy produce,” Price said.
He added that several of the Mosaic community gardens are located in areas known as food deserts. Food deserts are places which lack grocery stores or food providers that carry fresh produce and healthy items, according to the American Nutrition Association. Price said the community gardens available through Mosaic help increase access to healthy foods while beautifying the neighborhood at the same time.
Penn State Extension master gardener Gretchen Lea said gardening is an activity that brings people together no matter their differences. Lea, a Home Garden Contest committee member, announced and awarded the Boyertown entries.
“Gardening is a common denominator or unifier for all of us in here, nomatter your sex, your religion, your nationality, your political party, your education, or your income,” she said to the audience during the awards ceremony. “We all have one thing in common, our love for gardening.”
Lea explained how children were taught gardening lessons over the summer through a Mosaic and Penn State Extension combined 4-H program.
Children in the area will have another opportunity to participate in gardening lessons with Lea through classes that will be offered at the Pottstown Regional Public Library beginning this fall. Lea will also be teaching a free adult class about how to start a garden, which she said should happen in the fall.
Registration for the annual Home Garden Contest opens in the springtime. Formore information about the contest and a full list of the 2019 winners, visit HomeGardenContest.com.
Think spring this fall when it comes to gardening
Summer is ending and fall is upon us but that doesn’t mean it’s time to stop thinking about your garden. Autumn is the perfect time to starting planning for spring success when it comes to next year’s harvest and blooming flowers.
• Clean and sharpen garden tools so you’re ready to use them in the spring. Bring tools indoors to prevent rusting and damage.
• Plan for the upcoming year by rotating crops and keeping track of which gardens did well. This is the time to take review of your last harvest and determine where changes can be made.
• Clear your garden of weeds and debris before the ground becomes frozen.
• Till the soil in order to mix organic matter, loosen up the ground and help control weeds.
• Attend gardening classes, workshops and webinars throughout the fall to learn information that will prepare you for the spring season.
For more tips about gardening preparation during the cold months, visit extension.psu. edu/gardening-prep-during-thecold-winter-months.
“The contest-mission is to encourage and support gardening for both beginners and experienced gardeners, as this contributes to the physical and mental health of residents and promotes a sense of community among the residents of the Pottstown and Boyertown boroughs.”
— Dave Kraybill, Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation president