Tillie's Farm Sustainable Herb Garden Project Seeks Volunteers

Peabody's city-owned Tillie's Farm is in the process of constructing a community herb garden on the 15 acre property and volunteers are needed. About 4,500 square feet of those 15 acres will now be dedicated to growing vegetables, herbs, spices, and other produce. The work behind the 'Herb Garden Project' will come totally from community volunteers who will not only have the opportunity to create the garden, but also bring home some of the produce. Volunteer tasks include seeding, watering, transplanting, weeding, thinning, mulching, and harvesting. The garden will use only sustainable techniques - meaning no chemical fertilizers, pesticides, or herbicides. According to the project's website, "attention will be paid to soil health with an emphasis on soil enrichment by adding composted manure, organic matter, and winter cover crops".

Produce from the garden will be sold at Tillie's Farm stand and Peabody's Pop Up Market at Leather City Common. Food will also be donated to Haven From Hunger. The garden welcomes volunteers of all ages, but those under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult. The garden will also act as outdoor classroom where children can learn about the farm-nature connection and how to grow sustainable local agriculture to feed local communities. Prospective volunteers can sign up here.

For more information, contact Jeanette McGinn of the Tillie's Farm Education Committee at jmcginn@lesley.edu.

Tillie's Farm is located at 189 Lynn Street in Peabody.