The harvest is happening at the Sharpsburg Community Garden and members want to share it.
An annual garden party, free to the community, will take place from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Aug. 16 with revelers mingling among the crops and the adjacent Sharpsburg Community Library along Main Street.
“Gardeners provide a dish made from produce they grow in their own plot,” said Sara Mariacher, director of the library. “Everything is delicious!”
Meals will be served as a buffet in the library’s community room and include tomato pie, zucchini bread, salads, desserts and more.
The Community Garden has been situated behind the library for more than a decade, growing to meet a rising demand from people wanting to plant their own food, unwind and socialize.
Crops such as tomatoes, potatoes, beans and herbs are tended to in 25 raised beds that are rented for $25 a year.
The 1,800-square-foot site usually has a waiting list as garden prep begins each March.
More than 120 people are drawn to the garden party, now in its second decade.
“The founding members wanted to connect with the greater Sharpsburg community and celebrate the successful growing season,” said Lynn Marsico, garden co-manager.
“All of the gardeners look forward to this yearly event. We especially love meeting neighbors, showing off our garden plots and interacting with the diverse community.”
Urban gardens have been trending in recent years as a way to combat food insecurity and create a sense of belonging.
Not only do they empower people with sustainability lessons, but they also create social connections and offer educational opportunities, according to the nonprofit American Community Gardening Association.
Mariacher said the Men’s Garden Club of Pittsburgh will be on hand to provide free tool sharpening. A basket raffle and Chinese auction will include merchandise and gift cards from local businesses.
There will be garden-related crafts for sale and children’s activities.
Proceeds from the fundraiser go back into garden operations.
Marsico said a project is underway to replace the garden beds, which cost more than $350 per plot. The group also has received grants toward the work from Grow Pittsburgh, Trillium Garden Club and the Fox Chapel Garden Club.
She said the garden committee works hard to be part of the neighborhood throughout the year. They donate extra produce to dole out at the library and have seed and plant giveaways. Members also participate in many of the social events, such as the quarterly Spend a Saturday in Sharpsburg.
Marsico hopes that guests take away a sense that the garden is a welcoming place for all, as well as some inspiration to garden at home.
“Neighbors, family and friends attend and enjoy socializing in the welcoming library courtyard,” Marsico said. “Guests love to wander through the plots, examining what members are growing and often asking questions and comparing notes about their own garden successes and problems.”
Tawnya Panizzi is a TribLive reporter. She joined the Trib in 1997. She can be reached at tpanizzi@triblive.com.
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