The edible garden within the community garden in Bristol brings benefits to many.
Adams Hollow Master Gardener. Photo credit: Donna McCloskey
In 2021, Adams Hollow Community Garden (AHGC) partnered with the Master Gardeners of Bucks County to provide 10 beds free of charge to the Master Gardener volunteers who planted, maintained, and harvested edible demonstration garden beds. The produce grown in the beds is donated to a local food pantry.
Adams Hollow Community Garden in the Borough of Bristol exists to empower community members to use economically and environmentally sustainable approaches to build community; grow nutritious food locally; beautify neighborhoods; conserve resources; encourage intellectual development and healthy living; and provide opportunities for intergenerational and cross-cultural connections.
The community garden project was established in 2015 by the Garden Club of Bristol Borough (GCBB) with 23 gardeners and this year there are 80 garden members. Penn State Extension, led by Donna McCloskey, has partnered with the garden since 2021.
The garden was built in three phases: Phase I (2015) 31 beds; Phase II (2016) the garden doubled in size with the addition of 31 more beds; Phase III (2017) 93 beds were added for a grand total of 155 beds. AHCG offers 15 (10%) of its available beds free to Veterans.
In 2021, Master Gardeners developed a compost operation and planted a native garden that has been certified as a Penn State Pollinator Garden.
Future plans include: continuing the partnership with Penn State Extension and the other organizational/community partners; planting fruit trees; expanding educational programming (especially Master Gardeners and GCBB-led events); and holding regular member socials.
Through its various partnerships, AHCG is open to the public for scheduled events and programs. Other partners include Bucksadelphia Honey Company, the Grundy Library and Museum, the local school district, local garden clubs, and local businesses. Programs include weekly story time by the local library presenting in the garden; a local art studio teaching art lessons, and the GCBB offering tours for local scout groups. Local garden clubs offer programs at AHCG, many of which are open to the general public. Garden club gatherings have included events such as cider pressing, mosaic garden pot workshops, tool swaps, and knit and crochet nights.
