Penn Park Orchard Work Day

For this volunteering event, the Philadelphia Orchard Project, POP, met up at the garden area in Penn Park at 11. POP assisted in designing and planting an extensive food forest orchard at the southern end of Penn Park on campus at the University of Pennsylvania. The weather for this event was beautiful and added to making the work day better. Once again, the specific meeting spot was slightly hard to find on Penn’s campus, but I knew I was in the right place once I recognized the program leaders. As I approached the sections of vegetation, I noticed a plethora of different plants growing. I got closer to these areas and noticed plaques with plant names and information on them. I tried to record as many labels as I saw: Beebalm, Anise Hyssop, Fennel, Yarrow, Lemon Balm, Sweet Cherry, Sorrel, Catmint, Elderberry, Quince, Dwarf Peppermint, Asian Pear, Purple Coneflower, Golden Star, Black-Eyed Susan, Creeping Raspberry, Highbush Blueberry, Creeping Thyme, Pawpaw, Beardtongue, Dwarf Bush Cherry, and Hardy Almond. This highlights the significance and impactful efforts of the Philadelphia Orchard Project. Bringing all of these species to a city environment adds to the biodiversity and overall aesthetic of the land. This relates to concepts discussed in class about landscape literacy and biodiversity. Landscape literacy is the idea of reading the landscape and recognizing the significance of the surrounding urban environment. With POP, I am addressing certain environmental issues prominent in the urban setting of Philadelphia through community development. These ideals are reflected in the text assigned in class called Conserving Biodiversity in Metropolitan Landscapes. The author James Miller writes, “…if biodiversity is not linked to the well-being of people, the future for many plants and animals will be bleak indeed”. Having a diverse green environment, especially in a city surrounded by concrete, adds to the mental and physical health of the citizens. This stewardship project enables me to be a part of the positive development in Philadelphia to make it a greener, healthier, and more prosperous city.

Excited to begin, I obtained gloves and pruners and started working. My first task of the day was pruning the oregano bushes. Cleaning up these plants encourages more growth and promotes new root development. From here, I moved onto other shrubbery, such as mint bushes. I was able to talk with the other volunteers about POP and their involvement while working. I spoke with Danette Stettler who has been involved with POP for many years, I and ended up interviewing her for the project requirement. Soon enough, it was already our break. For this breaktime, the executive director of POP, Phil Forsyth, gave us a tour of the gardens. The volunteers were also offered locally grow apples – which were delicious. On the tour, Phil walked us through the different sections of plants and pointed out various types (the majority I listed above). Once our break was over, I got started on planting new strawberry bushes. Phil showed us exactly where they needed to be placed and gave us the required supplies. Instead of planting seeds, we planted small, rooted daughter plants from a larger strawberry bush. From the original ‘mother plant’, stolons are grown and produce their own ‘daughter plant’. I actually enjoyed gardening much more than I thought I would and felt a real sense of community while working with POP.

Finishing up the task, we made sure to water each of the newly planted strawberry bushes. Planting fruits was one of the most satisfying aspects of my urban greening work since my efforts will be able to feed other people. This work made me think about the week in class when we were taught about urban agriculture. This small plant will eventually grow into a large bush with many berries. Those berries will then be picked and distributed to the people living in Philadelphia with POP. I love knowing I am contributing to the natural, good food being supplied to this city. The actions of POP address the community’s need for greater access to better foods and prosperous green spaces. This need comes from the restrictions set in place by living in an urban setting. These concepts emphasize the importance of agriculture in city settings, since prosperous land and fresh fruits and vegetables are harder to come by. This is an efficient process which then services the health and happiness of the citizens in Philadelphia. With all these thoughts while working, I realized it was already almost 1:30, and so I began to put back my supplies and clean up what I was responsible for. I was sure to thank the leaders for a great experience and took an apple for my trip home.