Connellsville Community Gardens May Update

With warmer weather came much activity in May for the Connellsville Community Gardens (CCG). On the 7th, a high school club called the Youth Action Crew (YAC) partnered with the SCA Trail Towns Outreach Corps (TTOC) to beautify Connellsville before Mother’s Day with an event called “Paint, Plant, and Chalk.” The planting occurred at CCG’s garden outside of the community center, where YAC volunteers donated a beautiful mix of geraniums, mums, hens and chicks, marigolds, black-eyed susans, snap-dragons and more! Even though it rained lightly, everyone enjoyed turning an empty plot into a colorful flowerbed. Dave Stupka, a local master gardener, helped to lead volunteers in planting Arugula, Mustard greens, Spaghetti Squash, and Emerald Gem melons (the seeds of which were donated from the Seed Savers Exchange’s Herman’s Garden program). The Paint, Plant, and Chalk event was covered by the Daily Courier with a picture included. In all, it was a fun event that cheered up the community center and the volunteers!
The seedlings within CCG’s Indoor Greenhouse grew steadily in May and several wonderful volunteers helped to till and mow the newest community garden space across the street from the Armory. Much needed rain came in May for the peas, onions, horseradish, raspberries, strawberries, Jerusalem Artichokes, greens, etc. in the beds along 3rd street.
Towards the end of May, a stifling heat inspired beautiful blossoms all around the city, including gorgeous red roses in the Lions’ bed along 3rd street. Following the Garden Club’s Geranium Festival, participants were able to try the delicious wines invented by winemakers around Connellsville and industry professionals judged 5 categories. The evening was a great success as a community event and fundraiser for the gardens.
With June, I look forward to getting our seedlings into the gardens and watching them grow! I plan to gather an e-mail list of volunteers and pick a day for weekly volunteer nights in the gardens. Thanks for your interest in our growing gardens!