Grower's Resources
This guide is intended to connect Pittsburgh area food growers to the information, materials, and resources they need to garden organically, productively, and safely. Please send updates and corrections to Marisa: mmanheim@growpittsburgh.org
Soil and Compost
Seeds and Seedlings
Water
Pest and Disease Management
Livestock
Books and Other Resources
Sharing the Bounty
Soil and Compost:
Compost
Compost, composed of household wastes and other organic materials (such as newspaper, leaves, and grass), provides valuable nutrients to garden soil. Used as a soil amendment or mulch, compost also helps to suppress weeds and disease-causing pests. Below are resources for starting a home compost pile, ways to improve your existing compost pile, and how to make compost tea.
A healthy compost bin requires a recipe of 1 part green matter to 3 parts brown matter:
Green matter includes: Coffee grounds, grass clippings, hair clippings, garden detritus (weeds without flowers or seed heads, plant stems after harvest), kitchen scraps
Brown matter includes: Shredded cardboard, shredded paper or newspaper, paper towels/napkins, sawdust (from untreated wood), woodchips, straw, chopped leaves
Basic Compost Principles and Structures
Making Compost Tea
Pittsburgh Drop-off Locations (Yard Debris Only)
Soil
Building nutrient-rich organic gardening soil is essential to growing an abundant vegetable or ornamental garden. Before starting a garden, it is important to test the soil for lead and heavy metals (if planning to grow food). Maintaining balanced levels of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, in addition to other nutrients, will help to ensure successful growth and regeneration of healthy soil for future seasons.
Soil Testing
We recommend sending your soil samples to UMass Amherst's Soil and Plant Testing Lab. Their $10 Standard Soil Test includes results for pH, basic nutrients, heavy metals and aluminum. Recommendations for nutrient and pH adjustment are included with results. From the site, you can find a form and instructions on where to send your sample.
Penn State Extension offers a Standard Soil Test for $9 through the Soil Fertility Testing Program. Each sample is analyzed for water pH, Mehlich buffer lime requirement, and for phosphorus, potassium, magnesium, and calcium by the Mehlich 3 (ICP) test. This test does not test for heavy metals. Lime and fertilizer recommendations for specific crops are also included in the final report.
Soil Testing Protocol for City Gardeners
- Look your field or property over. You may want to do separate sampling based on past land use, e.g. one sample for where the garage used to stand, and another for the backyard area. Other factors to consider in dividing your site into sample areas are soil texture, slope, drainage, color, and past pest and fertility management. In all, each individual sample area should not exceed 2,500 square feet. It is essential to make some record of how you are dividing your site so you can interpret your results later.
- Each sample should be a mixture of approximately 12 separate scattered samplings taken over a large area (avoid taking samples near the edge of the land plot). Try to be random in your sampling. Avoid sampling very wet soils.
- Use clean, non-galvanized tools, including buckets. (Galvanized tools contain zinc, which may affect your soil sample.) We recommend using trowels or shovels and fence post diggers in compacted soil. If heavy metals are a concern, wear gloves while sampling.
- For each sample, pull back the top layer of grass, etc. to expose the bare soil. The sample should be at least half an inch thick and about one inch in diameter, taken from two to ten inches below the soil's surface.
- Place each of the 12 individual samplings in a clean container (pail, bucket, or bag). Thoroughly mix the samples together, then divide the combined amount in half. Store one half the sample in case you need to retest later. With the other half, break up any clods, and remove debris (rocks, glass, plant matter). Spread the mixture out on a clean paper to air-dry (do not dry soil in an oven). Stirring occasionally, it will take approximately a day.
- Once dry, mix the soil again. Pick out any rocks, trash or plant matter. Obtain a one cup measure of the soil mixture and place it in a zip-lock type bag. Save another one cup sample in case you need to re-test.
- Label the outside of the bag clearly with your name, address, and a sample (ID). The ID should be less than 10 letters long (labs have limited space on internal labelling).Example: Grow Pittsburgh, 5429 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA, 15206 – Tustin 1Don’t forget to record how you are labelling your samples so you can interpret your results later.
Interpreting Your Results
UMass Amherst Recommendations
Penn State Extension Recommendations
Cornell Health Soils, Healthy Communities (excellent info about soil contamination)
Mulitlingual site about lead in urban food gardens
Soil Nutrition:
Optimum pH Level: Neutral to slightly acidic (between 6 and 7)
Loamy (lightweight), dark-colored, well-drained (moist soil that allows water to seep through instead of pool at the top) soil is the best type for growing vegetables and herbs. If the soil quality is poor, add compost and/or build raised beds.
Obtaining Soil and Compost
There are many options for obtaining soil and compost around Pittsburgh. Note that some supply centers require truck pick-up depending on quantity purchased.
Volume
Soil Calculator
A heavy duty pickup truck with a long bed can carry approximately 2 cubic yards. A lightweight pickup can carry about 1 cubic yard.
3' x 12'x 1' bed: 1.3 cubic yards of dirt
Weight
1 cubic foot of soil = Approximately 70 lbs.
1 cubic yard of soil = Approximately 2,000 lb.
NOTE: Wet soil weighs the most; compost weighs less; mulch weighs the least
Local Sources
Municipal Compost
If you live outside the City of Pittsburgh, your municipality may have a compost pile made from leaf litter collected each fall. Here is a list of municipal composting facilities: Allegheny County Composting Directory
Note: Wilkinsburg Borough offers free leaf compost to Wilkinsburg residents (located at Hunter Park). Contact the Borough office for details: (412) 244-2900
AgRecycle
335 North Braddock Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15208-2512
Ph: (412) 242-7645
Develops natural mushroom manure and shredded bark mulch from composted yard clippings and post-consumer food waste (from Whole Foods, local restaurants, cafeterias, etc.). Sells soil-compost mixes.
NOTE: You must have a pick-up truck to buy from the Braddock Avenue location.
Allison Park Landscape Supply
2631 Felicity Avenue
Allison Park, PA 15101
Ph: (412) 486-6967
Ohio Earth Food
5488 Swamp Street, N.E.
Hartville, Ohio 44632
Ph: (330) 877-9356
Natural potting soil, amendments, and fertilizers
Organic Mechanics
110 E Biddle Street
West Chester, PA 19380
Ph: (610) 380-4598
Manufactures and distributes organic potting soil (available at Whole Foods Market)
Steel City Soils
Ph: (412) 992-8640
Provides consulting for organic recycling and edible landscapes; will deliver up to 3 cubic yards of compost (60/40 soil/organic compost and perfect for raised beds, containers, or soil amending)
Workshops and Classes
Grow Pittsburgh offers classes on a variety of topics related to growing food, organic gardening, and starting community gardens. See the events page of our website for upcoming courses, or contact the office to arrange one in your neighborhood: (412) 362-GROW
Pennsylvania Resource Council Workshop Calendar
Phipps Conservatory Classes and Programs
Raised Beds
A raised bed is most commonly a frame with an open bottom that sits on top of the ground. They provide the option of gardening in a location that is well suited for a garden except for having poor quality soils.
DIY Wood Sealant
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Forest Products Laboratory has developed this recipe for preserving lumber used aboveground (such as for fences and picnic tables). The treatment is also safe for wood to be used in the ground—that is, it won't leach toxic chemicals into your garden soil—and the wood will last longer than if left untreated.
Here's the recipe (and please be sure to follow it carefully):
Melt 1 ounce of paraffin wax in a double boiler (DO NOT heat over a direct flame).
Off to the side, carefully place slightly less than a gallon of solvent (mineral spirits, paint thinner or turpentine at room temperature) in a bucket, then slowly pour in the melted paraffin, stirring vigorously.
Add 3 cups exterior varnish or 1.5 cups boiled linseed oil to the mix, stirring until the ingredients are blended. When it cools, you can dip your lumber into this mixture or brush it onto the wood.
Some seedlings can be planted directly in the ground (direct seeding) and others require that you start them indoors and transplant them outside after the frost date. Transplanting gives plants a head start in protected conditions. Before transplanting, harden-off seedlings by placing them outdoors out of direct sun and wind for an increasing amount of time each day for 7-10 days.
Zones
Knowing your region’s zone allows gardeners to recognize what plants grow best in different climates. Zones are defined based on a combination of soil type, landforms, and climate conditions in a region. The Pittsburgh area is considered Zone 6A.
USDA Hardiness Zone Finder
Frost Dates
Pittsburgh Region:
Spring: May 26
Fall: September 20
*Growers tend to begin planting around May 15 and end around October 15
Pennsylvania Frost Dates
U.S. Average Frost Dates by State
Vegetable Garden Planting Calendar
SUPPLIERS
Local Seedlings
Audubon Society of Western PA, Beechwood Farms
614 Dorseyville Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Ph: (412) 963-6100
Propagates native plants available at a twice-yearly sale on site.
East End Food Co-op
7516 Meade Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Ph: (412) 242-3598
Sells organic seeds and seedlings
Garden Dreams Urban Farm & Nursery
806 Holland Avenue
Wilkinsburg, PA 15221
Ph: (412) 638-3333
Grow Pittsburgh
Ph: (412) 362-4769
Organic seedlings can be purchased from May through mid-June at the Frick Art & Historical Center Greenhouse, Phipps May Market, and other seasonal garden events.
The following seedlings are available through Grow Pittsburgh: Grow Pittsburgh Seedling Availability 2011
Mildred’s Daughters’ Urban Farm
1100 Normahill Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15201
Pittsburgh Garden Experiment
Ph: (412) 992-8640
Open-pollinated plants, seedbombs, and services
Right By Nature
2305 Smallman Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
Ph: (412) 454-6200
Today’s Market
612 Allegheny River Boulevard
Oakmont, PA 15139
Ph: (412) 828-4244
Urban Gardener
1901 Brighton Road
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Ph: (412) 323-1116
Sells seedlings, tools, and supplies
Whole Foods Market
5880 Centre Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15206
Ph: (412) 441-7960
Sells seedlings and supplies
Local Native Plants
Ernst Seeds
9006 Mercer Pike
Meadville, PA 16335
Ph: (800) 873-3321 or (814) 336-2404
Specializes in native and naturalized seeds and plant material of Eastern North American ecotypes (Wildflowers, native grasses,
trees, and shrubs), cleaned and tested to U.S. standards.
Pennsylvania Game Commission
2001 Elmerton Avenue
Harrisburg, PA 17110-9797
Ph: (717) 787-4250
The game commission offers assorted native trees and shrubs for sale at a very reasonable price; ships only in April: Seedling Form
Sylvania Natives
Ira Way
Pittsburgh, PA 15217
Ph: (412) 421-8551 (office) or (412) 596-4989 (nursery)
Squirrel Hill resident propagates native plants, shrubs, and trees
Local Sources for Cover Crops
Best Feeds Garden Centers (two locations)
Gibsonia, PA
Ph: (412) 487-5802
Babcock Blvd, Pittsburgh, PA
Ph: (412) 822-7777
Carries red and white clover; can order other varieties for customers
Iannetti's Garden Center
728 Steubenville Pike
Burgettstown, PA 15021
Ph: (724) 729-3500
Depends on season; can order any type of cover crop seeds for customers
Recommended Reading: Marianne Sarrantonio's Northeast Cover Crop Handbook
Seed Catalogs
Abundant Life
P.O. Box 279, Cottage Grove, OR 97424-0010
Ph: (541) 767-9606
Also sells various-sized frame screens for seed cleaning
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
2278 Baker Creek Road, Mansfield, MO 65704
Ph: (417) 924-8917
Bobba Mike’s Garlic Farm
P.O. Box 261
Orrville, Ohio 44667
Sells naturally grown garlic to plant
D Landreth Seed Co.
60 East High Street, Bldg #4, New Freedom, Pennsylvania 17349
For Assistance call 1-800-654-2407
Carries African American Heritage seeds
Fedco
P.O. Box 520
Waterville, ME 04903-0520 (From January to April, no phone-in orders)
Ph: (207) 873-7333 or (207) 430-1106
A cooperative specializing in open-pollinated seeds and Moose Tubers (seed potatoes)
Gardener’s Supply Company
Ph: (888) 833-1412
Gardening tools and supplies
Heirloom Seeds
Ph: (724) 663-5356
All orders must be placed online.
Heirloom Tomatoes
Seven Acre Seeds
5764 Saucony Dr.
Hilliard, OH 43026
Ph: (614) 256-6298
High Mowing Organic Seed Company
76 Quarry Rd.
Wolcott, VT 05680
Ph: (802) 472-6174
Certified organic seed, specializing in northern varieties. A good source of information on seed saving guidelines and seed equipment.
Johnny's Selected Seeds
955 Benton Ave, Winslow, ME 04901
Ph: (207) 861-3900 or (877) 564-6697
Wide selection of vegetable, herb, and flower seeds with organic and heirloom offerings; catalogs for both home and commercial growers
Seeds of Change
P.O. Box 15700
Santa Fe, NM 87506-5700
Ph: (888) 762-7333
Source for certified organic and open-pollinated seed; also sells seed cleaning supplies.
Seed Saver’s Exchange
3094 North Winn Road, Decorah, Iowa 52101
Ph: (563) 382-5990
Rare and heirloom seeds
Southern Exposure
PO Box 460
Mineral, VA 23117
Ph: (540) 894-9480
Wide variety of heirloom seeds including some Southern specialties that can be grown in the Pittsburgh region
Tomato Growers Supply Company
Post Office Box 60015
Fort Myers, Florida 33906
Ph: (239) 768-1119 (customer service)
Turtle Tree Seed
Camphill Village
Copake, NY 12516
Ph: (518) 329-3037
Offers 350 varieties of biodynamic vegetable, flower, and herb seeds; To request a 2011 catalog, email your name and address to turtle@turtletreeseed.org
Free Seed
SNAP benefits (food stamps, EBT cards) can be used to purchase seeds and seedlings. More information can be found here.
America The Beautiful Fund
Vegetable, flower and herb seeds. (Note: These seeds are NOT organic.) The first 100 packets are $15, each 100 packets after that are just $5. To request a grant of vegetable seeds, flower seeds and/or herb seeds:
1. Write a short letter describing your project
2. Fill out the application which can be downloaded here <http://www.freeseeds.us/free_seeds/free_seeds_flyer_11.pdf>
3. Enclose a check for shipping and handling
4. Mail your letter, application and check to 725 15th St. NW, Suite
605, Washington, DC 2000 (202)638-1649
Wintersown
Pay postage for up to 6 free varieties (including heirloom tomatoes), plus up to an additional 50 varieties for $5 per 10 choices. The cost is $15 postage for 200 seed packs. Note: These seeds are NOT organic.
Seeds of Change
Sowing Millions Project is offering free organic seeds for the cost of shipping. ($5 for 25 pks - and institutions can get 100 pks for $15). For every seed request made by an individual or organization, Seeds of Change will make a matching donation of seeds to the American Horticultural Society. The offer runs through Dec. 31, 2011. Seeds will arrive two to six weeks after you order them, so if you want them for spring planting, hop over right now and place your order.
Herman’s Garden
Seed Saver’s donation program http://www.seedsavers.org/
Information and Organizations
From Generation to Generation Curriculum
Lessons and projects from Fedco for saving seeds with youth
Organic Seed Alliance
Organic Seed Alliance supports the ethical development and stewardship of the genetic resources of agricultural seed through collaborative education, advisory services, and research programs with organic farmers and other seed professionals.
Email: info@seedalliance.org
Ph: (360) 385-7192
Saving Our Seed
Working with Southeast farmers and extension agents in the production of organic and heirloom seed.
Ph: (706) 788-0017
The Seed Savers Exchange
A non-profit organization of gardeners dedicated to saving and sharing heirloom seeds.
Rainwater Catchment
In Pittsburgh, where heavy rain events often wash pollutants, sewage, and debris into our streams and rivers, it is important to keep storm water out of our overtaxed sewage system. Rainwater catchment is a system put in place that captures rainfall to be used for home use (gardens, house plants, etc.).
How to install rainwater collection using your home’s downspout
Calculations
Raincatch potential per inch of rain = 0.6 gallons x surface area
(i.e. for every inch of rain that falls on a catchment area of 1,000 square feet, you can expect to collect approximately 600 gallons of rainwater)
Annual Raincatch Potential = Raincatch potential per inch of rain x annual rainfall (36.68" for Pittsburgh)
Calculator for identifying the amount of water that can be harvested from a given area
Specific Garden Watering Needs
When watering your garden, be sure to use a hose fitted with a nozzle that gives a gentle spray. Direct the water to the soil around the plants, not the leaves of the plants. Give the soil a gentle first coat of water to “prime” it. The water should not pool during this first application. When you are done, the soil is ready to receive a second, larger soaking. As soon as you see the water begin to pool during this watering, move on to another section until your whole garden has been watered thoroughly. Be careful that little water runs off of your garden.
Once plants are well-established, they will need water only every five to seven days. Seedlings and young plants should be watered every day or two. The best time to water is in the early morning or in the evening. The second best time to water is whenever you have a spare minute, no matter the time of day.
Rainbarrel Suppliers
Whole Foods Market
Ph: (412) 441-7960
East End Food Co-op
Ph: (412) 242-3598
Pennsylvania Resources Council
Ph: (412) 488-7490
Nine Mile Run Association
Ph: (412) 371-8779
Residents in the neighborhoods of Singler, Mifflin, Overton, and Sanders are offered free rain barrels, free installation, and free technical support for two years.
Reilly's Summer Seat Farm and Garden Center
Ph: (412) 364-8270
Drainage in Gardens
When considering a garden site, look for an area that is level and well drained. If plants are grown in areas with poor drainage, diseases can occur. Add organic matter in the form of compost to increase drainage.
To test drainage (a great activity with kids!):
- Pick a mild and sunny day, when your ground is neither to wet or to dry. Using a garden spade dig a hole in the middle of your planting area, making it about 1 foot deep and 1 foot wide.
- Insert a ruler vertically into the hole, so that you can clearly read the measurements and so that the ruler is as level as possible.
- Fill the hole with water and then record the level of the water from the ruler.
- Take notes on the level of the water every fifteen minutes until you have recorded sufficient measurements to determine the rate of drainage hourly.
- In gardens with adequate drainage, the level of water should drop by an inch an hour and the hole should be empty in 12 hours.
What to do if you have poor drainage
Pest and Disease Management:
Pests and diseases often infiltrate even healthy gardens. It is important to always check your plants for spreading diseases or signs of pest damage.
Identifying Vegetable Pests in Pennsylvania (PDF)
Penn State Allegheny County Extension Office Insect Image Gallery
Landscape Problem Solver - University of Maryland
Pest Problem Solver
Comprehensive Rodent Info
Steps for Pest Management:
1. Identify bugs.
2. Determine the severity of the problem (inspect undersides of leaves and new leaves; check for diseease spreading).
3. Make a plan (monitor plants for a few days and try to implement a cultural tactic such as composting).
4. Consider what controls to choose (use an organic pesticide only after all other options are tried).
5. Keep notes (mark down when you spray and take note of pest problems).
6. Consider increasing the diversity of your garden (including flowers in a vegetable garden help to attract beneficial insects).
Common Garden Pests and Controls:
Aphid: Apply a strong spray of water or insecticidal soap. Introduce beneficial insects such as lady bugs or lace wings
Flea Beetle: Row cover along with sticky traps to monitor the presence of the beetles.
Cucumber Beetle: Row cover crops when they sprout and remove the cover when flowers appear so they can be pollinated.
Imported Cabbage Worm: Spray Bt (Bacillus thurengiensis) at the first sign of cabbage worms
Leaf Hopper: Row covers, sticky yellow traps, insecticidal soap
Disease Management:
Disease Information for Specific Vegetable Crops
The number one disease management strategy is to prevent it in the first place. Make sure you provide your plants with optimal conditions for growth, focusing on the right season, temperature, spacing, nutrients, water, and disease-resistant varieties. Crop rotation (planting different crop families in a space each year) helps to ward off diseases.
A great page for plant disease: Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
Livestock:
In an urban agriculture setting, animals can be integrated into an urban grower’s plan depending on zoning laws and space. The Grow Pittsburgh website provides up-to-date information regarding Pittsburgh’s Urban Farming Zoning Code.
Pittsburgh Urban Farming Zoning Ordinance Information
Local Organizations
Burgh Bees
Email: burghbees@gmail.com
Promotes bees and beekeeping in the Pittsburgh area
Pittsburgh Poultry Association
Educates others and shares information about keeping chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys in the Pittsburgh area
Gardening With Youth
Elkington, John, Julia Hailes, Joel Makower, and Douglas Hill. Going Green: A Kid's Handbook to Saving the Planet. Puffin, 1990.
GrowLab: A Complete Guide to Gardening in the Classroom
Junior Master Gardener: Level 1 (Teacher/Leader Guide) by the Junior Master Gardening Program
Gardening and Farming
Arnosky, Jim. Nearer Nature. New York: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard Books, 1996.
Berry, Wendell. The Gift of Good Land. Berkeley: Counter Point Press, 1983.
Bowden, Rob. Food and Farming. San Diego: KidHaven Press, 2004.
Bradley, Fern Marshall; Ellis, Barbara W.; Martin, Deborah. The Organic Gardener’s Handbook of Natural Pest and Disease Control. New York: Rodale, Inc., 2009.
Bull, Jane. The Gardening Book. London: DK Publishing, 2003.
Cochrane, Jennifer. Food Plants. Austin, TX: Steck-Vaughn Library, 1991.
Damrosch, Barbara. The Garden Primer. New York: Workman Publishing, 2008.
DiSalvo-Ryan, DyAnne. City Green. New York: William and Morrow Company, 1994.
Gibbons, Gail. The Vegetables We Eat. New York: Holiday House, 2007.
Graham, Ian. Farming and the Future. New York: Rosen Publishing Group, 2010.
Hamilton, Lisa. Deeply Rooted: Unconventional Farmers in the Age of Agribusiness. Berkeley: Counter Point Press, 2009.
Jeavons, John. How to Grow More Vegetables. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 2006.
Lerner, Carol. My Backyard Garden. New York: Morrow Junior Books, 1998.
Levenson, George and Shmuel Thaler. Pumpkin Circle: The Story of a Garden. Berkeley, CA: Tricycle Press, 1999.
Lock, Deborah and Margaret Parrish. Grow it, Cook it. New York: DK Publishing, 2008.
Lovejoy, Sharon. Roots, Shoots, Buckets & Boots: Gardening Together with Children. New York: Workman Publishing, 1999.
Michael, Rosen J. Our Farm: Four Seasons with Five Kids on One Family's Farm. Plain City, OH: Darby Creek Publishing, 2008.
Michelson, Richard. Tuttle's Red Barn: The Story of America's Oldest Family Farm. New York: G.P. Putnam's Sons, 2007.
Milway, Katie Smith. The Good Garden: How One Family Went from Hunger to Having Enough. Toronto: Kids Can Press, 2007.
Parker, Steve. Food and Farming. Mankato, MN: QEB Publishing, 2010.
Reed-King, Susan. Food and Farming. New York: Thomas Learning, 1993.
Rendon, Marcie R. and Cheryl Walsh Bellville. Farmer's Market : Families Working Together. Minneapolis: Carolhoda Books, 2001.
Robson, Pam. Food and Farming. Brookfield, CT: Copper Beech Books, 2001.
Rockwell, Lizzy. Good Enough to Eat : A Kid's Guide to Food and Nutrition. Sharon, MA: Sharon Public Library, 2008.
Rotner, Shelley and Gary Goss. Where Does Food Come from? Minneapolis: Millbrook Press, 2006.
Schlosser, Eric and Charles Wilson. Chew on This: Everything You Don't Want to Know About Fast Food. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2006.
Spilsbury, Richard and Louise. Feeding the World. New York: PowerKids Press, 2010.
Spilsbury, Richard and Louise. Farming and the Environment. New York: PowerKids Press, 2010.
Spilsbury, Richard and Louise. From Farm to Table. New York: PowerKids Press, 2010.
Resources and Organizations
Center for Eco-Literacy, Berkeley, CA
The Food Trust, Philadelphia, PA
Linking Food and the Environment (LiFE): A science education curriculum for students
ATTRA (National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service), Fayetteville, AR
Local Food and Environmental Organizations
Hazelwood Urban Gardens
Organization dedicated to developing sustainable urban gardens in Hazelwood neighborhoods
Northside Leadership Conference Garden Initiative
East Commons Professional Building, 4 Allegheny Center, Suite 601, Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Contact: Stephanie Miller
Ph: (412) 330.2554
Email: Stephanie@pittsburghnorthside.com
PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture)
Ph: (814) 349-9856
Pennsylvania Resources Council
Ph: (412) 488-7490
Pittsburgh Garden Experiment
A forum for Pittsburgh farmers
Pittsburgh Permaculture
Forum and education site for Pittsburghers interested in permaculture
Slow Food Pittsburgh
Tree Pittsburgh
Ph: (412) 362-6360
Western Pennsylvania Conservancy
Ph: (412) 288-2777
Western Pennsylvania Mushroom Club
Promotes the exchange of interest and information about wild mushrooms
Grants and Funding
Fruit Tree Planting Foundation
An international nonprofit organization dedicated to planting fruitful trees and plants to alleviate world hunger, global warming, and help communities. Communities Take Root is an affiliate of FTPF and they are currently accepting the first 125 qualified applications for the next round of the program, which involves a public online vote to select the final recipients. So act fast, download and submit the application today: Communities Take Root
Sharing the Bounty
The extra produce from your garden can make a big difference to someone in need of fresh fruits and vegetables. If you have extra produce from your garden you can:
- Find a local food pantry and contact them directly to arrange a drop off or pickup. Visit the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank Agency Directory to find one near you.
- Gardeners can bring any excess produce to The Urban Gardener at 1901 Brighton Road on the Northside or Penn Hills Lawn and Garden Center at 200 Jefferson Road on the intersection of Rodi Road in Penn Hills. Donations will be accepted every Saturday, between 10am to 2pm from August 6 through October 15.