Record Harvest from Gardens at John Rudy Park

Included in that total were 34 varieties of vegetables, from asparagus to zucchini; and 8 different fruits, from apples to watermelon. The biggest harvest was the tomato crop at 1924 lbs. Other high yield crops were squash at 395 lbs., cucumbers at 295 lbs., collard greens at 288 lbs., corn at 265 lbs., peppers at 242 lbs., cantaloupes at 214 lbs., and potatoes at 205 lbs.

The Gardens are a public educational and demonstration display led by the Master Gardeners, partnered with the York County Juvenile Probation Department with support from the York County Parks and Recreation Dept. This year was the Master Gardeners’ 14th season at the Gardens. We have partnered with the Probation Dept the last 13 years, when we combined our trial flower gardens with their vegetable garden. We have enlarged the gardens every year since, resulting in increasing production from the fruit and vegetable beds.

A highlight this season at the Gardens was a record attendance of 275 people at our Garden Open House, which occurs annually the second Saturday of August. Each year attendance has increased as first timers join with those returning each year to enjoy the Gardens, interact with the 50 plus Master Gardeners, learn from the Garden talks, taste the tomatoes, make flower bouquets, see the educational displays, and visit the Garden Farmers Market

71 Master Gardeners helped in various ways this year. In addition 23 youth helped over the course of the season. Prior to their involvement in the Gardens, most youth had no idea how vegetables and fruit were produced. They participated and learned about gardening, from preparing the soil, planting the seeds and plants, maintaining the plants, harvesting and finally delivering the produce to the York County Food Bank.

We are planning for our 15th season at the Gardens and looking forward to our interactions with the Public as we continue to educate and demonstrate.
Frank Reed, York County Master Gardener