A feature of the garden that adds aesthetic and practical value is that it is edged on three sides by flowers, of both perennial and annual varieties.         The garden is also bordered by three distinct flower beds. The edging is a few feet in depth and approximately 200 feet in length.      The flower beds and edging plants require replanting, development and reseeding.     Often, these important parts of the garden get the least attention because of the significant labor that is required to maintain high vegetable production. 

     For the coming season, we are constructing a plan for addressing the needs our flower beds and edge plants significantly.

     The garden’s focus is high production of vegetable crops from June through October.  There are some perennials (strawberries, asparagus, herbs) but most of the garden’s production is composed of traditional summer vegetables including several varieties of peppers, tomatoes, garlic, squash, salad greens, eggplant, cucumbers, beets, onions, swiss chard and kale.  Throughout most of the summer, we harvest twice weekly, consistent with the operating hours of the pantry. 

     Every year, the Food Pantry Garden has refined and expanded its offerings.  We survey the pantry clients in an effort to grow the vegetables that are desired which results in adjustments to the size and type of some vegetable crops.  Two years ago, we added garlic and asparagus beds. Last year we increased the varieties of greens and herbs and added an adjacent 10x20 foot flower garden for cutting.  Pantry clients and volunteers enjoyed bouquets all season!  This year we are adding berry bushes and plan to install a grape arbor.