Bright yellow daffodils, multi-colored tulips and purple hyacinths herald the arrival of spring at the Swannanoa Community Garden. The winter pea ground cover is growing tall and lush, and will add much-needed nutrients to the soil when the time comes to plant. And speaking of planting ~ that time is just around the corner! The garden is now being prepped for some early crops, including peas, beets and carrots.
In addition to the main crop of vegetables, this year’s garden will have an expanded flower section with new varieties of flowers. Many of these will find their way into bouquets created by volunteer Kara Dillow and donated to the nonprofit Power Flower Project. Fruit trees and berry bushes have also been planted for future pear and blueberry crops. Additional planting areas have been created using rich, aged mulch re-used from the Swannanoa Library playground.
The Community Garden has been fortunate to have a student intern this spring. Polly Phillips, a senior at UNCA, is pursuing a degree in Environmental Studies, and has used her intern experience to expand her knowledge about organic gardening and nonprofit organizations. Polly’s energy, ideas and hard work have been of tremendous benefit to the garden, and she will be greatly missed when the semester ends.
The garden will host several community events this spring and summer, beginning with a community workday on May 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Light gardening chores will be followed by a picnic and games, and a raffle for a “garden bucket,” filled with all the supplies you’ll need to grow a garden in – you guessed it – a bucket! Bring your own picnic lunch; light snacks will be provided.
The Swannanoa Community Garden is a “garden that gives.” The majority of the produce grown in the garden is donated to organizations that serve our neighbors in need. The garden is sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), and is located on Clover Lane, off Lake Eden Road. Map.
Volunteers work at the Swannanoa Community Garden during the 2018 growing season.
