Farming Season In Worcester Underway After Annual Seedling Sort

WORCESTER, MA — The farming season in New England's second-largest city is underway.

The Worcester Regional Environmental Council this week distributed over 10,000 seedlings to local gardeners, who will plant the crops in school and community gardens across the city. The annual tradition dates back to the start of the UGROW Community and School Garden Network in the 1990s, and produces a range of crops from lemom balm and okra to Thai chilies.

The Tuesday event was among the largest seedling sorts in recent years, nearly double what REC Worcester handed out just three years ago.

"Three years ago, we distributed 6,000 seedlings, and today, thanks to our dedicated supporters and generous funders, we've surpassed the milestone of 10,000 seedlings! Additionally, the support from volunteers on our seedling sorting days has been invaluable. It's inspiring to see the increasing community interest in urban agriculture and local food security efforts," REC Director of Programs Grace Sliwoski said.

REC Worcester's annual plant sale funds the seedlings distributed to the gardens, which includes 70 community-based and 35 school-based gardens. Here's an example of some of the crops that schools in Worcester will grow over the summer and into fall:

Greendale Headstart: Purple potatoes, marigolds, basil, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, lemon balm, garlic

May Street School: Basil, Broccoli, Rainbow Chard, Cherry Tomatoes, Habanero Peppers, Marigolds

Elm Park Community School: Slicing Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Zucchini, Onions, Okra

Goddard School of Science & Technology: Thai Peppers, Kale, Basil, Asian Eggplant, Rainbow Chard

REC Worcester also operates the YouthGROW program, employing local teens to work at the nonprofit's larger urban farms in the city that supply vegetables and herbs for REC's annual farmers markets (those begin in June at sites across the city).

REC Worcester is also looking for volunteers to help maintain school-based gardens after students leave for the summer. Email info@recworcester.org for more information.