Bowie Food Pantry Garden Needs Volunteers for Crops

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BOWIE, MD — A garden operated on behalf of the Bowie Food Pantry raised an estimated $7,000 worth of fresh vegetable produce over the last two years.

A total of 24 vegetable crops were harvested from the garden over a 164-day period in 2015, up from 13 crops harvested over a 112-day period in 2014.

This produce has provided pantry clients with a source of freshly-picked, nutritious vegetables, in addition to the dry and canned goods received.

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The garden is operated by volunteers in collaboration with the Bowie Food Pantry, the City of Bowie, the Bowie-Crofton Garden Club, the St. Pius Green Team, and Boy Scout Troop 403. It is located on grounds of the Bowie City Kenhill Center and was established in the spring of 2014.

Currently there are about 20 volunteers who work on the site, but anyone interested in joining the group is welcome.

Boy Scout Troop 403 has been instrumental in establishing and expanding the garden. An Eagle Scout project in 2014 was responsible for clearing an initially heavy infestation of perennial weeds, spreading compost over the site, preparing the seedbed, and installing a fence and gate.

A second Eagle Scout project that was just completed in April expanded the garden by relocating the fence and gate, spreading and rototilling compost, preparing the seedbed, and hammering stakes for supporting tomato plants.

The Bowie-Crofton Garden Club has provided funding donations to the Food Pantry to support purchase of gardening supplies and equipment.

Seeds and transplants were planted in spring into a rototilled seedbed and soil was covered with straw mulch when plants became established. The mulch successfully suppressed weeds, retained soil moisture, and provided dry footing after wet weather.

Fertility was based on soil testing and was provided primarily by compost and organic fertilizers. No herbicides or pesticides were used.

After harvesting the early season crops, a second planting of fall crops was made in late summer. Harvests were completed every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to stock the pantry with freshly-picked produce by 9 a.m. on those mornings.

Anyone interested in joining the gardening team for the 2016 season is welcome. Contact the Bowie Food Pantry at bowiefoodpantry@gmail.com or 301-262-6765.

In addition, anyone that has excess vegetables from their home garden or from a Community Supported Agriculture share is welcome to donate them to the Food Pantry on Monday, Wednesday, or Friday mornings between 8:30 and 9 a.m.