Getting to the Root of Gardening

Over the summer, the Community Garden on Chestnut Street worked with kids from Olivet Boys and Girls Club, Head Start and Pottstown Middle School to educate them about growing your own food. There is an Open Garden event on Sept. 22

Blogger's Note: This was submitted by the folks at Pottstown's community garden:

MOSAIC Community Land Trust is holding an “Open Garden” on Saturday, Sept. 22 from 12-2 pm. 

All are invited into the Community Garden at 423 Chestnut St. in Pottstown to participate in a salsa-making workshop, learn how the garden works, and pick vegetables to take home.

“The idea of many people gardening their own plot within a larger space may have seemed unusual last spring when this was just a vacant lot,” said David Jackson, President of MOSAIC’s Board of Trustees.   

“We want to welcome the community to see the garden in action,” he said.

The Community Garden has plots being tended by Pottstown residents, including groups from Pottstown Middle School, the Olivet Boys and Girls Club, and the Maternity Care Coalition/Early Head Start.  

Hundreds of pounds of squash, tomatoes, kale, basil and many other vegetables and herbs are being harvested. Members weigh their produce and record it on a sheet; totals will be announced at the end of the season.

Garden guests on Sept. 22 will be able to take home vegetables and herbs from one of MOSAIC’s community plots. 

There will also be salsa-making demonstrations and tastings, along with pesto made from basil grown in the garden. 

MOSAIC is now seeking another site in Pottstown to add a garden next year. Interested residents can get on a list for next year’s gardens.

Support for acquisition and construction of the garden on Chestnut Street came from the Pottstown School District, Pottstown Area Health and Wellness Foundation, National Penn Bank, Genesis Housing Corporation, Susquehanna Bank, Lowes, Borough of Pottstown, Davey Tree Experts, and Andrew Monastra, Esq.

MOSAIC Community Land Trust’s a mission to increase homeownership in Pottstown, develop community gardens, and support the arts.  Their office and gallery is at 10 S. Hanover Street. Membership in the CLT is open to all; details can be found at their website at www.mosaiccommunitylandtrust.org or by calling David Jackson at 484-949-4235.