The Swannanoa Community Garden on Clover Lane, sponsored by Friends and Neighbors of Swannanoa (FANS), had an amazingly productive season. In only its second year of operation, the garden produced 750 pounds of vegetables. This bountiful harvest was made possible through the efforts of many volunteers working a collective 900 hours. At the height of harvesting, two trips were being made weekly to bring fresh produce to the Swannanoa Methodist Church’s Welcome Table and The Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministries in Black Mountain. Zucchini, pole beans, tomatoes, edamame, cucumbers, peppers, okra and mixed lettuce were received by the two food pantries with much appreciation.

Students from Warren Wilson College put in numerous hours preparing garden beds, tending to starts, and planting crops in the spring. Three different groups from Ridgecrest’s summer program worked in the garden to help with weeding, mulching and harvesting. Many local residents, including Chris Everhart, Kara Dillow and Alyssa Jimenez, rolled up their sleeves and pitched in to help at various times during the growing season. Garden Co-Managers Sandy Drake and Maureen Dillow, along with their grandchildren, were regular fixtures at the garden. Their hard work has sowed the seeds of community at the Clover Lane garden. Thank you!

Earlier this year, the FANS community garden was the recipient of a generous grant from the Black Mountain-Swannanoa Valley Endowment Fund, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina. The grant money was used to purchase seeds, tools, soil and more.

A 20 ft. long hoop house was recently donated to the garden by Fred Cardina from the Chunns Cove area. The hoop house will provide a place to start plants and grow vegetables throughout the winter. Mr. Cardina has also made available many feet of fencing and trellis materials.

Volunteers are always needed at the garden. If you’re interested in helping in any way, please send an email to Garden Co-Manager Sandy Drake at sandyjean51@gmail.com. Donations to the garden can be made by mailing a check to FANS, P.O. Box 697, Swannanoa, NC 28778. Please note in the memo line of the check that your donation is for the community garden.