Growing as a Community

Tucked behind a church and surrounded by gravestones, there is new life in Garrett Hill.

The Common Ground community garden is just that – a handful of beds that members of the community created and assembled and filled with soil and seeds. In addition to the bountiful produce it has already produced in its short life (it was started in March), the garden has become a spot for the community.

Radnor United Methodist Church has provided the land for the garden. The church is often home to Garrett Hill community meetings.

Sitting on chairs under a table umbrella in the garden, it is quiet and peaceful. A few members purchased half and full beds with the seed money to start the project.

There is no lack of sun there, and that is evidenced by the bounty. Tomatoes, zucchini and beans are just a few things growing in the garden.

A wren has a home in one of the fence posts.

“My food bills are one-third of what they were,” said Sara Pilling, a master gardener who has a bed there. Her yard is too shady to be able to grow, she said.

So what do people get growing food in a community garden like Common Ground that they could not growing food in their own yard?

“Companionship. Advice. Knowledge,” responded Pilling along with Jeanne Ward and Lynn Ellis, who were working the gardens alongside her.

Read about what's going on in the garden here.