How Does Your Garden Grow?

This year's Garden Contest winters are Anna Johnson, Vanessa Wyatt, Ryan Procsal, Athena Singer and Robbin Pineda

For gardeners, this time of year is about exciting as it gets.

Harvesting, weeding, planning next year's garden.

And that's as true for the gardeners of the Mosaic Community Gardens as farmers in the field.

However, some extra excitement was added recently when the winners of the second annual home gardening contest were announced during National Night Out at the park at Chestnut and Washington Streets.

The contest is sponsored by Pine Hill Farms in North Coventry.

I won't keep you dangling in suspense, here are the winners:

Ground Gardening, 1st Place -- Robbin Pineda, who wins $150 as well as an award certificate.

Ground Gardening, 2nd Place -- Athena Singer, who wins $100 with her certificate.

Container Gardening, 1st Place -- Anna Johnson, who wins $125 and a certificate.

Container Gardening 2nd Place -- Ryan Procsal who, in addition to winning $75 and a certificate.

Honorable Mention -- Vanessa Wyatt, who won $50.

The entries were judged by the Pottstown Garden Club.

The contest began in the summer of 2012 when Dick Heylmun, the owner of Pine Tree Hill Farm, contacted Mosaic Community Land Trust, after learning about their work in the Community garden on Chestnut Street.

Mr Heylmun, an avid gardener himself, conceived of the idea to offer prize money to people living in the Beech to High Street, Adams to Charlotte Street area for creating beautiful street-side gardens and plantings. 

 He knows how pretty a block can be when the residents take pride in their homes and gardens and he revels in the joy and sense of pride that gardens bring to the gardener and all who pass by.

Mosaic partnered with the Pottstown Garden club to develop, advertise and judge the contest. Flyers were distributed to all the homes in the area while the Mercury helped promote the contest in an article about both the garden contest.

That's not all that's going on with the community garden's two locations on Chestnut Street, the produce cart is back in business.

The cart will sell fresh produce from our gardens, donated vegetables from members of the Pottstown Garden Club and local farmers. There will also be a resource table with loads of free information to
learn more about gardening, health and nutrition!

Produce sales will happen each Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. and will continue each week until they run out of vegetables to sell.

The Mosaic Land Trust was also among the sponsors of the showing of  “Frozen” last Saturday. 

"There were bunches of families and loads of kids who showed up to take part in the event.

"The balloon artist was there and make dozens of great balloon animals for the kids.

"Parents and kids alike shared in the experience and had a great time.

"Look forward to another great movie presentation next year," garden manager Laura Washington reported in an e-mail.

In addition to showing movies, the community gardens also host borough youngsters from summer camps at the Olivett Boys and Girls Club at the Ricketts Center and maintains a garden plot for students at Pottstown Middle School, who learn how to grow their own food, and the importance of healthy food.

A Cool Movie for a Hot Night Saturday

Genesis Housing Corporation has announced the second annual outdoor movie night will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2 at the Chestnut Street Park in Pottstown. 

This year’s movie will be Disney’s "Frozen."

Bring your lawn chairs and blankets to the Chestnut Street Park at Washington and Chestnut Streets, Pottstown starting at 8 p.m. 

The event kicks off with Tom Carroll, a free balloon performer, followed by DJ music until dusk and then Disney’s "Frozen." 

The rain date is Sunday, Aug. 3.

This Pottstown Neighborhood Program is funded by National Penn Bank through the Neighborhood Tax Credit Program. 

More information is available by calling 610-275-4357, on the Genesis website at www.genesishousing.org and/or via email at info@genesishousing.org.

Garden Goings On

Blogger's Note: The following was provided by the Mosaic Community Land Trust

There's a lot of things going on in Pottstown's Community Gardens.

A Garden Work and Play Days is scheduled for Saturday, July 19th from 9 to 11 a.m.

The Garden Contest deadline has been extended.

The deadline to enter is July 11.

Judging will take place on the 20th between the hours of 4 to 6 p.m. with the awards ceremony taking place on the 26th at 6 p.m.

MOSAIC is hosting a “Get to Know the Land Trust” Garden Party on Saturday, July 19 beginning at 2 p.m.  There will be music, grilled healthy foods, and resources for better nutrition and health awareness.

MOSAIC/Genesis Housing “Movie Night” will show “Frozen” on the big screen at the Chestnut/Washington St. Park in downtown Pottstown on Saturday, Aug. 2 beginning around 830 p.m.