Information provided by the Conshohocken Community Garden:
The Conshohocken Community Garden, initiated by several members of the Environmental Advisory Committee (EAC) and with strong support from City Council President Paul McConnell (a gardener himself), kicks off its second season this spring.
You may be wondering what on earth (pun intended) would grow on a former truck lot converted to a garden? Well gardeners were pleasantly surprised to report that in its first full season approximately 25 community gardeners planted over 30 crops. Many, if not most, of the Community Garden members are first-time gardeners, with some very skilled gardeners in the ranks as well. This diverse group came together to till the hard-compacted earth, spread tons of top soil, and worked in piles of compost to prepare the garden for its first season. Compost bins were installed on site for garden refuse that also accepts household compost from neighboring homes. It is a thriving host for vegetables, community, and fun and several returning gardeners already have their seeds and seedlings ready for spring that is right around the corner.
This year the Community Garden hopes to host gardening workshops, install rain collection barrels, fill up the garden with more members, and paint a donated shed with a new logo. The garden will be hosting a contest for a Conshohocken Community Garden Logo design and the winner will have the logo adopted by the garden and displayed on the Elm Street-facing shed. If you are interested in submitting a logo, images can be sent by email to greenconshy@gmail.com as well as any questions about joining the community garden. The Logo Contest winner will be announced on the website on Earth Day, April 22nd. Interested in gardening this year? The application for a plot can be found on the website at www.greenconshy.org.
The Conshohocken EAC and the Community Garden will share a table at the Conshohocken St. Patricks’ Day parade on March 16th near the Verizon building where residents can enter a raffle to win a free garden plot for the 2013 season, pick up an energy-saving CFL lightbulb donated by the EAC and the Borough, and learn recycling, composting, & gardening tips.
The Community Garden sits on East Elm Street behind the Freeman Nut Factory building and has approximately 80 plots that measure 10 feet x 10 feet. Plots are available to be planted from April through the first frost by residents and business owners in Conshohocken for $45. To reserve a plot, please print the application from our website and send it, along with a check for $45 (made out to the Conshohocken Borough – in memo put garden plot) and send it to borough hall.