During this crazy time, people have picked up new hobbies, whether it’s baking, reading, doing puzzles, or crafting. Spring also presents the opportunity to get excited about gardening. As daffodils pop up, flower buds appear on trees, and bright colors start to fill the landscapes, it’s hard not to get excited about what spring will bring.

Many avid gardeners have already started their seeds and created garden plans, excited to get their hands in the dirt as soon as they can. Beginners also have the opportunity to try their hand at gardening, many using raised beds provided by the Venango Area Community Gardens.

These beds are constructed by students at Venango Technology Center (Vo-Tech) and made available for free to community groups, including churches, clubs, and neighborhoods. The group is up to more than 100 beds in active service throughout the community, from Barkeyville to Cooperstown.

In consideration with everything that has been transpiring, there is still a possibility that Vo-Tech will be offering plenty of plants this spring at their greenhouse, although details are still being developed.

Gardening has its many benefits. It provides beautiful plants, fresh and locally-grown food, and a way to de-stress in the outdoors, which most of us need right now. Gardening as a community has even more perks. There’s just something about coming together to grow something that can make an impact on a community.

While we hope Vo-Tech will be able to open their greenhouse, there are many other great resources for plants and seeds, along with soil and tools, including Chamber Member Oil City Agway.

The Venango Area Community Gardens encourages you to give gardening a try this year, whether in an in-ground plot, or a raised bed. To learn more about the group and find information about availability of beds next year, find their page on Facebook.

This article was published in the Venango Chamber’s May 2020 VenangoWorks! Newsletter