IN Greensburg Salem Spring 2016 | Page 39

Garden Club of Oakmont Contact: gardencluboakmont.org The Garden Club of Oakmont grows more than flowers; it nourishes friendships, plants new ideas and cultivates a love for gardening. Members continually learn about a variety of topics such as garden aesthetics, environmental responsibility, native plant cultivation, flower arranging, horticultural therapy, organic and sustainable farming and container gardening... just to name a few. The club is also very active in sprouting and sustaining neighborhood and civic enrichment projects that help make Oakmont a flourishing community. Visit the website for more information. Greensburg Garden Center Address: 951 Old Salem Road, Greensburg Contact: 724.837.0245, or sites.google.com/site/greensburggardencenter The Garden Center serves Westmoreland County and areas surrounding the region. It operates a hub for four community garden organizations including Cheshamac Garden Club, Eastwood Village Garden Club, Greenridge Garden Club and Irwin Garden Club. Visit the website for more information. Irwin Garden Club Contact: facebook.com/IrwinGardenClub The Irwin Garden Club hosts over 60 active members. The object of the club is the advancement of gardening, development of home grounds and furthering of city beautification while stimulating an interest in cooperative gardening and assisting in the protection of forests, wildflowers and birds. Visit the Facebook page for more information. Kiwanis Community Garden in McKeesport Address: 1000 block of Walnut Street, McKeesport Contact: pakiwanis.org/clubs-and-divisions/clubdetails/?club_id=102 Date: Planted in May* Bringing the community together through gardening! This 32-plot community garden was created by the Kiwanis Club of McKeesport-White Oak and other community volunteers. Visit the website for more information on volunteering to help maintain the garden. Monroeville Community Park Botanical Gardens Address: 2399 Tilbrook Road, Monroeville Contact: monroeville.pa.us Keep your community park blooming and beautiful! Volunteering to plant and maintain the park’s lovely botanical gardens is not only a wonderful way to give back, but will also give you ideas for your home garden. Visit the website for more information. Monroeville Food Garden Address: Between the Monroeville Public Library and the Monroeville Senior Center, Gateway Campus Boulevard, Monroeville Contact: monroevillefoodgarden.wordpress.com Date: Garden planted in late May* The next time you are at the library, check out some books and some blooms! Former Monroeville Councilwoman Lois Drumheller created a USDA-certified “People’s Garden.” Produce from the garden goes to Cross Roads Presbyterian Church Food Pantry and the Pitcairn Food Bank. Visit the website for ways to donate or get involved. Murrysville Garden Club Contact: gator4074.hostgator.com/~mamolj1 “Where friends and flowers come together.” This club’s mission is to “stimulate the knowledge and love of gardening, to aid in the conservation of natural resources, to encourage civic beautification and to cooperate with civic groups in the furtherance of these goals.” Visit the website for more information. Norwin Public Library Butterfly Garden Address: 100 Caruthers Lane, Irwin Contact: norwinpubliclibrary.net, or facebook.com/IrwinGardenClub Date: Open year round, but best blooms in May and June. Spearheaded by Warren Gardner, a retired Norwin High School biology teacher who passed away in 2014, this garden represents his vision to introduce children to the beauty of nature. The garden contains a variety of perennial flowers that attract butterflies and birds. It is planted and maintained by the Irwin Garden Club. Visit the websites for more information. Penn Hebron Garden Club Address: 237 Jefferson Road, Penn Hills Contact: 412.241.9779, or pennhebrongardenclub.com Today, the Penn Hebron Garden Club remains an active club, whose 90+ members undertake all manners of community service, while having a bit of fun in the process. Visit the website for more information. Penn Hills Community Garden Address: 1162 Jefferson Road, Penn Hills Contact: pennhillscdc.org/garden The Penn Hills Community Garden is a project of the Penn Hills Community Development Corporation Beautification Committee. Sprouting in 2010 with only 16 beds, the community garden grew to 104 beds in 2012! The garden aims to bring fresh produce into the homes of our gardeners and donates produce each year to local food banks and senior centers. Most importantly, new neighbors meet and friendships are made along the way! Visit the website for more information. Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens Address: One Schenley Park, Pittsburgh Contact: phipps.conservatory.org, or 412.622.6914 Dates: Indoor gardens – Open year-round, except for certain holidays. Some areas may be closed for private events. Outdoor gardens open in May.* Visit the website for more information. The botanical gardens feature lush tropical plants, palms, orchids, ferns and desert plants, as well as many special flower shows, exhibits and butterflies. Outdoor gardens and collections include the children’s Discovery Garden, Japanese Courtyard Garden, bonsai, butterflies, perennials, annuals, herbs and aquatics. Continued on next page > Greensburg-Salem | Spring 2016 | icmags.com 37