Contributing Author Patty Rahi,
Master Gardener Chairperson
The 33rd Annual Garden Contest held by the Penn State Extension Master Gardeners of Delaware County has concluded another banner year of celebrating gardeners all over this fair county. We saw 23 gardens of many sizes, both ornamental and vegetable. This year, there were a number of outstanding gardens in Newtown Square.
Of the residential ornamental gardeners, one standout garden was a beautiful two-acre property in Newtown Square managed by Trish Adams. She and her husband moved from Florida into their lovely mid-century home five years ago and began removing all of the invasive and aggressive plants. On either side of a meandering stream, they planted many native trees and shrubs, such as sycamore and bald cypress, creating habitats for wildlife. Their showcase fenced-in gardens, with an in-ground pool as its centerpiece, are well planted with many pollinators. They won second place in intermediate large ornamental gardens.
Another garden of a smaller scale is that of Alexandra Scipione, who, along with her husband A.J., has turned a small corner lot into a place where both flowers and vegetables thrive and inspire their neighbors. They enjoy sharing their garden knowledge and collaborating with their neighbors for the 4th of July Red, White and YOU! decorating contest.
The enclosed vegetable beds at the home of Matthew Braunbeck in Newtown Square won first place this year in the residential intermediate vegetable garden category. Matthew and his two daughters tend a vegetable raised bed garden using wood repurposed from their home renovation project to form the beds and fence enclosures. They have a variety of vegetables supported by companion herbs and edible pollinator flowers. Mathew’s daughters love picking something every day for dinners, and they even love weeding the garden!
There is a community garden at the Proclamation Presbyterian Church located on Bryn Mawr Ave. Its congregation includes many gardeners who help with a lovely prayer garden situated in a brick-walled area. It is a very inviting space for meditation and wellness. They have fully planted this shady garden with many small trees, shrubs and perennials and have lovely seating areas throughout. The garden won first place for intermediate community gardens this year.
The Stratford Friends School on Bishop Hollow Road has begun an amazing school garden filled with a sensory garden and gourds growing on trellis fences. There are colorful raised beds filled with spoon tomatoes and even a hoop house to start plants from seed. Their garden won first place in the
youth garden category.
Lastly, there is a wonderful demonstration rain garden at the Newtown Square Township Building that won first place in advanced community gardens. Planted three years ago by a team of volunteers, the garden is a most educational space for young and senior gardeners. It shows the viewer how native pollinators can co-exist in a space that needs only the rain that Mother Nature provides. They have also planted a companion garden at the neighboring baseball fields with signage to help viewers understand the plant names and the pollinators attracted to the garden.
There is more information about the rain garden in the Newtown Square Library, and the library also sponsors occasional lectures to help residents learn more about the benefits of having their own pollinator rain garden.
The Master Gardeners of Delaware County awarded ribbons to all the winners of the Garden Contest on September 28th at the annual Fall Fest, where fellow garden enthusiasts gathered at Smedley Park in Springfield.
Special thanks to Patty Rahi, Master Gardener Chairperson, and Holly Thorpe, Master Gardener Coordinator, for sharing your story and photos with our Newtown Edgmont Friends & Neighbors. Congratulations to all the winners!