After a long vacancy, the empty lot at 622 Merchants Road recently became a community garden once again. The garden is a result of a partnership between St. Mark’s & St. John’s Episcopal Church, Foodlink, Covenant United Methodist Church, the City of Rcohester and Healthy Blocks. The garden contains 16 raised beds, flower garden, a picnic table and a tool shed in the near future. Our United Way Day of Caring volunteers from Paychex and New Directions helped clear the lot and build the raised beds all in a day!

This garden is the church’s second growing site after a very successful initial effort on church property. With the generous donation of materials by Foodlink, a portion of the food produced goes to those in need. Food is distributed locally through various food pantries, including the one found at St. Mark’s & St. John’s.

Neighbors are encouraged to participate in the community garden throughout the growing season. Volunteers may join Mike Finn, lead garden coordinator, this Friday at 10am to plant seeds in the raised beds. The garden will have scheduled harvest days where the food is weighed before being distributed. Gardeners also reap some rewards for their efforts by taking fresh produce home with them!

Gardening plus several other eco related topics will be featured at “Taste of the Triangle” on May 31st, from 11am-3pm. This event will feature free food tastings from local restaurants, live music, as well as community and “green” resources. The Merchants Road garden coordinators will be at the event ready to chat about the project.

For more information about the garden or “Taste of the Triangle,” please send me an e-mail or give me a call: mkraines@nwcprochester.org 325-4170 ext. 317.

Happy Gardening!

Michelle Kraines