After the students
learned about what it takes to grow produce in a garden, they participated in
two activities. The children got to decorate small pumpkins then placed them
throughout the garden. Students also used chalk to decorate the sidewalk
surrounding the garden with images of flowers and suns. An enthusiastic 3rd
grade class finished the outing by each student receiving a ripe tomato picked
fresh.
The garden is very new
to the area and the first seeds were planted in June with an official opening.
The community garden has 23 plots and residents of the area were invited to
take advantage by planting their produce instead of buying it.
Married couple Charlotte
and Howard Charles are at the garden every day and often volunteer when help is
needed. The two live right across the street and helped Washington show Barth
Elementary students the garden this week. Howard said the kids often visit the
garden when school is let out and ask questions. He said the space is a great
learning opportunity.
“I just think it’s a
great idea for the whole community in general,” said his wife Charlotte.
She said the garden has
helped her to meet a lot of new people. The gardeners help one another maintain
the plots and share the fruits of their labor with each other as well.
“Now we’re like a big
family,” Charlotte said.
“It creates
camaraderie,” Howard said.
The couple thinks the
community garden was a big success for its first season. Produce grown included
peppers, red beets, watermelon, cantaloupe, carrots and more.
Washington said all the
mosaic gardens in Pottstown will officially close on Oct. 15 but that Mosaic is
always looking for new members to use the plots. For more information about the
gardens or on how to become a member, visit the website mosaicclt.org.