[Community_garden] Shade Structures in Community Gardens

[Alliums]

Hi, Folks!

We are in the middle of a flat field and the sun at this time of year is
brutal.  We constructed a pergola (10' x 32' x 9') on which we have 3 hardy
kiwi vines and a side of Cascade hops.  

The pergola blew down in a nasty storm this year, so we had to spend $1000
to rebuild it with cedar (rot resistant).  Since the kiwis were established,
we just had to trim them back a bit to pull out the damaged structure and
put in the new structure -- they re-grew just fine and have covered the top
for shade.  We put up strings for the hops to follow.

We've got a small picnic table on one side, two plastic lumber benches that
were donated by a local group and a variety of plastic outdoor chairs we
scavenged.  

Having a pleasant place to sit in the shade works out really well -- it
encourages people to visit in hot weather and it's a great gathering place
when we have volunteers.

Dorene Pasekoff, Coordinator
St. John's United Church of Christ Organic Community Garden and Labyrinth

A mission of 
St. John's United Church of Christ, 315 Gay Street, Phoenixville, PA  19460