Lower Macungie Garden Plot Program has Plenty of Growth Potential

So many things today are evaluated based on growth potential. With that in mind, those assessing the value of Lower Macungie's Garden Plot Program probably would consider it a huge success on several levels.

Consider growth of the program itself, the literal growth of crops from seeds, growth of knowledge the participants gain from the experience and growth of friendships among the participants.

There are a lot of positives, according to several participants who were tending their plots on a recent Saturday evening at the township-owned Camp Olympic site. Township officials say the program works well, and they are pleased, too.

The growing season is still early, but several gardeners were turning soil, planting seeds or putting up fencing to keep out pesky deer and rabbits.

"For those with a frustrated green thumb, it's great," says Jim Coffarelli of Bethlehem. "I think it's awesome. So many people are in condominiums and have no place to plant a garden. This lets me do that."

The township program was started in the early 1990s, according to Lee Lichtenwalner, director of special projects for Lower Macungie. He doesn't recall the details, but believes they learned of similar programs elsewhere and wanted to offer land for those who -- like Coffarelli -- didn't have space of their own.

Plots are available at two locations, says township Recreation Director Denise Foulke.  Because of the popularity, 71 plots along Bogie Avenue are limited to township residents. Those are sold out. Another 38 plots were available to residents and nonresidents alike at Camp Olympic along Cedar Crest Boulevard, and only a handful remained available. To check on availability, call 610-966-6924.

The 20-by-30-foot plots are rented annually for $10 to residents and $20 to nonresidents.

"We don't make money on it," Foulke says. "It's just a service that we provide."

Rules state that gardening may begin April 1. The Public Works Department tills the gardens and the participants can take it from there. The plots are tilled under on Nov. 1.

Some other municipalities offer similar programs, such as Emmaus and Lehigh County. Lehigh County has run into recent problems with people using items such as a bathtub and high stockade-type fence that county officials have found objectionable. That has not been the case in Lower Macungie, Lichtenwalner says, but there are some simple rules that are to be followed to keep the program manageable and fun for all.

And the program is fun, says Coffarelli. Besides providing that place to plant things, such as his snap peas, string beans and green beans, the program also offers "gardening camaraderia," he says.

Others agree. Christina Barninger is enjoying the same benefits. She lives in an apartment in Macungie and just has room for potted gardens. So, she jumped at the chance when she heard of the program.

"It's nice to get out here and enjoy the weather and the people," she says.

Among those she has met is Danielle Monaco of Lower Macungie, her plot neighbor.

"It's easy," Monaco begins. "It's not as much work as you would think," she adds, knowing what she is talking about because she is back for a second year.

She also wishes she had room of her own for a garden, so this is the next best thing. Organic foods are very important to her, so she knows the condtions from which they came by growing her own.

Monaco has a large family and intends to take some vegetables to her co-workers in New York City as well. She anticipates there will be plenty left after that and wants to donate the excess to a soup kitchen.

She also enjoys the benefits of meeting people and has shared her gardening experience with Barninger.

Monaco, the veteran of the group, knows what to expect from the experience and likes it. She says participants tend to share the vegetables as they come in, similar to a co-op. A person with an abundance of tomatoes is likely to offer the excess to other garden mates, who in turn probably offer their excesses when they become ripe.

And, as Monaco has already done, those with experience pass it along to the newcomers, such as Barninger. For example, she advises that participants will want to put up fencing almost immediately to keep the deer and rabbits from feasting on their labor.

And Barninger is grateful.

"We're already swapping seeds and you can pick up tips," she says.

Coffarelli offers a big thank-you to the township. Without it, he couldn't have a garden and wouldn't get out to enjoy the weather and the people.

Barninger is sure she will like the program, but there's something else she anticipates: a few sore muscles. For the space to grow her garden, she has Lower Macungie to thank. For relief from the sore muscles, she already has her sister the massage therapist in mind.