How new beds at a Gardner community garden will grow more than just fruits and veggies

GARDNER ― St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, how does your garden grow?

Well, with a grant to add nine new beds and a pollinator, for starters, according to Rev. Timothy Crellins. The new beds have been added to the 12 beds installed on the church’s property last year. The new pollinator garden, which will include native perennial plants, will be constructed on the other side of the church’s driveway, Crellins explained.

The community garden was installed on the church’s Cross St. property for the purpose of growing fresh produce that would be distributed to local families in need by the Gardner Community Action Committee.

“We love that organization because they do amazing work, and we’re really happy to be able to support what they do,” he said. “Last year was great, and I think this year will be even better because we should have more and even better produce to share.”

Church's garden marks a true community effort

The garden had done an admirable job raising the church’s visibility throughout the community, Crellins said.

“People see it because it’s on a very visible corner, so people will stop and ask questions about the beds and what we’re doing, so it’s kind of increased our connection to the neighborhood,” Crellins said.

One of those passers-by turned out to be Prof. George LoCascio, who teaches greenhouse management at Mount Wachusett Community College.

More: These two local groups redefine what it means to make a fresh start

“(LoCascio) saw what we were doing and reached out and invited me to come to an event he was doing showing  the hydroponic work the kids were doing at the Mount,” Crellins said.

LoCascio, an expert on native plants and pollinators, will work with his students at the garden to observe the importance of native species and pollinators.

MWCC students to tend garden, observe results

“The pollinator garden will enhance the biological diversity in the urban landscapes that is Gardner,” explained LoCascio. “Both with the insect populations and with the plants that we plant to put in there. And it will help with the garden directly because most of our food crops rely on pollinators to pollinate.”

LoCascio said he hoped his students would learn the importance of local community connections through their work at the garden.

“In addition to community building, shortening our food supply chains is yet another way we can strengthen not just our local economies but also have a positive impact on the planet,” he said.

A $2,800 grant from the Episcopal Diocese of Western Massachusetts in Springfield to support outreach programs will be used to purchasing the additional raised beds for the garden. A core group of about 15 parishioners helped to install the new beds and tend the church’s garden, Crellins said.

More: Hen House helps kick off giving season at Gardner Community Action Committee

“During the summer, we’ll have a ‘Gardener Hour’ every Thursday at five o’clock when a whole bunch of people and kids come and we garden, weed, and harvest the produce – it’s all part of our outreach and what we give back to the community,” Crellins said.

Julie Meehan, the executive director of the GCAC, said the St. Paul’s community had always been a great friend and supporter of her organization, and that the expanded garden was yet another example of the love they have for their community.

Community garden established to assist Gardner CAC

“One of the most requested items people ask for is fresh fruit and vegetables,” Meehan said. “On top of that, was have recently seen an increase in people stating that their PCP has requested they no longer eat canned food in order to improve their health. Fresh vegetables from the (St. Paul’s) community garden are a great help in meeting the need of healthy food!”

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: St. Paul's Episcopal Church Community Garden Gardner CAC MWCC