June 5, 2008 Issue                                       

©2007 The Chestnut Hill Local

Saving money on organic food: Hill moms growing their own
by PAULA M. RILEY

Chestnut Hill resident Jennifer Reed has been trying to grow all her vegetables in a garden on her small property. (Photo by Paula M. Riley)

With the rising costs of organic food, Jennifer Reed has been trying to grow all her vegetables in a garden on her small property. Her close friend and fellow Chestnut Hill resident, Colleen Yard, had hoped to purchase a small, sunny plot of land behind her twin home to plant a garden and do the same.

Both ran into problems.

Yard’s plan to purchase the property did not go through, and Reed’s 15 by 20-foot backyard garden was simply not enough space. By joining forces, they found the perfect solution. They decided to lease an organic garden plot at the Schuykill Center for Environmental Education (SCEE) in upper Roxborough.

They went into the endeavor with simple expectations, “Our goal is to yield one vegetable,” Reed explains with a grin.

The first step was choosing their plot. Reed and her son Nate, 5, along with Yard and her son Eli, 5, and daughter Lucy, 1, toured the available plots. The plots they viewed were in all different conditions. Some were very overgrown and needed much work; others had been worked the previous year, were cleared and, thus, were more attractive to the pair.

The two selected four plots, each 16’ x 20’, that were shared by the two families. The previous renter had been working the plot since the early ‘70s, and the ground was tilled and planted last season. They two new planters speak as though they found the perfect plot but admit that having three kids in tow that day did expedite their decision making!

Once they selected their plot, there was much work to be done. Yard’s husband, Joel, a field geologist, tested the soil to check lead levels. Once the tests were completed, they began to prepare the soil. “Tilling was a lot of work,” Yard says. 

“It’s the thistle eradication that is really tough,” Reed adds.  Both were shocked to find so many thistles and quickly learned from a neighboring gardener that the best way to remove thistle was to do so by hand pulling so as to get the root completely out. It has been a significant effort. “I think I’m starting to get ‘thistle elbow,’” Reed laughs.

Both, though, are most grateful for the advice of their garden neighbors. “We have learned so much from our neighbors,” says Reed. “They are a very diverse mix of folks who hold a wealth of farming and garden experience,” adds Yard. In addition to their knowledge, the neighbors’ plots inspire the two women. “They have beautiful plants, gorgeous arbors and nice sturdy fencing.”

Neighbors are just one source for their information; they also do research online and consult Reed’s book, The Great Garden Companion, quite frequently. These resources have helped them plan the layout for their garden.  

Six by three-foot beds with one-foot walking aisles were marked and prepared for planting on their plot. Reed carefully laid out the planting plan on paper before heading to the garden. The planting included tomatoes, squash, baby lettuce, peppers, strawberries, melons, peas and rhubarb. They also planted a garden for their kids.

The ‘Boys’ Garden’ was the collective work of the moms and the five-year-old boys. (“More us than them,” Yard clarifies). It seems to be doing better than any other part of the garden thus far and features sunflowers, radishes and cosmos. “This whole garden is very much for the kids,” says Reed.

Yard continues, “There are so many benefits for the boys. Through our garden, they get to witness the work of the whole process. We hope they gain a better appreciation and sense of hard work, of enjoying nature and seeing the yield.”

Children’s garden tools, a pop-up tent and rolling cooler are staples on garden days with the kids. The baby goes in the backpack, and the boys play in the dirt, explore and climb trees. These days are great fun for them. Reed, who also leases a shady plot with crabapple trees and a picnic bench, explains that the boys are given whistles and can run around the gardens. “The boys get a sense of autonomy; they can explore and can freely play with nature in nature.” 

When their husbands join them in the garden, the moms take the boys on hikes to the pond and to view the other gardens. The families visit their garden three to four times a week. They enjoy working on the garden together and are hopeful for the good harvest that they will share over family dinner tables. 

As eaters of primarily organic food, planting their own garden had become what they considered their only option. “We were getting completely priced out of the organic food market.” They had tried other options for obtaining organic food. A few years ago, Reed organized an organic buying co-op (through Suburban Organics) in Chestnut Hill.  Modeling what exists in Mt. Airy, Reed got 12 people to subscribe. The organic food was delivered weekly to Reed’s home where she would separate it for the subscribers who came to her home to pick it up. 

Though there was great interest, the process didn’t work. It was challenging to maintain the subscribers because they wanted more control over the selection of the vegetables and fruits. 

Yard subscribed to a similar program known as Fresh Farm Express. She enjoyed having the fresh produce but was disappointed to find that the food was not locally grown, and only about half was organic. The two women are both members at Weavers Way but there too they have found prices growing higher. 

“It’s not just about the money,” Reed says. “There is nothing better than a hand-picked tomato from your own garden.” Her backyard garden includes peaches, berries, kiwis, herbs and cucumbers. Reed and her family are already enjoying the benefits of this as she regularly picks lettuce from her backyard garden for the dinner salad. 

Yard and Reed are hopeful for many dinners with products from their shared garden plot both this summer and later in the fall when they do their autumn planting. Though hopeful, they both remain realistic. “It’s our first year; we know that there is much trial and error, but we just can’t wait to eat that first tomato!”