Governor's Residence Garden Highlights Urban Gardening Options

A new vegetable and herb garden planted this week at the Governor’s Residence highlights the possibilities of home gardening as a means to help families cope with tighter household budgets, Agriculture Secretary Dennis Wolff.

 

“Growing your own food is a great way to cut costs and experience the satisfaction of growing a nutrient-rich fresh fruits and vegetables,” said Secretary Wolff. “From our fertile rural landscape to small vegetable gardens in cities and suburbs, Pennsylvania is a great place for growing a wide variety of foods.”

 

Using organic plants donated through the Pennsylvania Landscape and Nursery Association, 11 state FFA officers planted the garden on the south side of the residence grounds in Harrisburg. The garden includes tomatoes, peppers, zucchini, squash, cabbage, carrots, broccoli and other vegetables along with a variety of herbs and flowers.

 

Cindy Smyser, the residence manager, said the garden is one of many steps the residence has taken to help the facility ‘go green.’

 

“At the direction of Gov. Rendell, we’ve taken steps to reduce our energy usage, increase recycling, and incorporate other ‘green’ initiatives here at the residence,” said Smyser. “This garden is a direct result of the Governor’s commitment to conservation and using locally-sourced food. The food we grow here will be used at the residence for the first family, and any extra food grown will be donated to the local food bank.”

 

Supplies for the garden were donated by Hy-Tech Mushroom Compost in West Grove, which supplied compost for the garden, and plants from Stauffers of Kissel Hill in Mechanicsburg and Creekside Farm in Marysville.

 

Secretary Wolff said that gardening is a fairly easy and affordable project that offers consumers the chance to learn more about agriculture, Pennsylvania’s number one industry, showing its accessibility even away from the farm.

 

Local gardens decrease the distance food travels from farm to fork, reducing carbon emissions and providing a nutrient-rich source of fresh fruits and vegetables. Secretary Wolff encourages anyone with extra food from their garden to donate to Pennsylvania’s food banks.

 

The Governor’s Residence is open to public tours. For information, call 717-772-9130.