The Garden at 485 Elm is a community garden feeding the gardeners who work this land and, thanks to Central Vermont Community Harvest, other Vermonters who need fresh, healthy, delicious food.
The gleaners arrive. Maribeth & Karen open boxes while Allison describes the work ahead. The gleaners will take leaves from plants that need thinning, lettuce that’s bolting, and herbs that are going to seed.In the rain, Maribeth picks beets that are past their prime.
Karen & Allison thin collard greensThe plants in front, about half the collard greens, have been thinned. In a few weeks, they’ll be ready to harvest again.
Karen picks kale. The boxes fill quickly. The super-productive plants still have many, many leaves on them.
Cindy, the garden coordinator, weeds in the foreground while Allison gleans spinach and salad greens from around the pea trellis.
Eleven pounds of kale in this box.
Twelve pounds of beets and greens to go.
Allison and Karen weigh and record each box of food.