Community Gardens Spruce Up Neighborhoods

It started with an idea that harkened back to the residential vegetable gardens called "Victory Gardens" that Americans planted during World War I and World War II.

Ten years ago, Herbert Peitzer, an Essex County master gardener and West Orange resident for more than 50 years, contemplated the lack of garden space for people without yards and thought, "We should have a community garden in town."

Along with his friend and fellow master gardener, Bern Wallerstein, and with the support of the West Orange Recreation Department, he founded the West Orange Community Garden in a sunny lot behind the West Orange First Aid Squad off of Mount Pleasant Place.

Residents tend one of the 14 raised-bed plots that grow a plentitude of vegetables, fruits and flowers for a $20 annual fee. The recreation department maintains the overall fenced property and supplies compost and mulch in the spring.

The department accepts applications for beds in the spring, with current gardeners receiving first priority. Peitzer said spaces become available occasionally as peoples' lives change.

As a certified master gardener, Peitzer donates his time to the public at the Essex County Environmental Center on Eagle Rock Avenue in Roseland. All residents can call the free hotline for garden, yard or plant advice (see below). Peitzer is one of the experts who answer those questions. 

He offered helpful advice to a visitor during a tour of the garden, with a tip for foiling groundhogs. 

"Put up a low fence around your garden but leave the top foot or so of fencing loose instead of taut," he said. "When the groundhog tries to crawl up the fence, he'll be unable to get a secure footing and give up."

Across from the Essex Green Shopping Center, another community garden is growing in the Eagle Ridge at West Orange development.

Resident Diane Frohling got the idea for a community garden in spring 2008, after years of wanting a garden, but lacking the time. "I probably should have been a farmer," joked the former Montclair realtor.

With several other Eagle Ridge residents, Frohling brought the idea before the Property Owners Association.

The Eagle Ridge Community Garden was approved and construction began in May 2008. Members paid a one-time fee of $170 to build a seven-foot fence and receive one of the 32 5-foot by 5-foot raised beds. Each gardener pledges to avoid chemical fertilizers and pesticides. 

Now in its second year, the garden is thriving at building friendships, as well as food, according to Frohling. The group plans an annual clean-up day and has held social events in the garden. 

"It can be hard to make new friends in a big community," said Mitch Winick, a resident at Eagle Ridge. "Gardening is not only a good way to meet people but also to get some healthy physical and mental exercise." 

Several plots are available. Interested Eagle Ridge residents can contact Frohling.

The free Essex County Master Gardener Hotline number is (973) 228- 2210 and is staffed every weekday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. year round.