As I wrote in last month’s article, I was able to meet with Hannah White, from The Seed Farm, March 11. It was one of those warmer days, so talking about plans for the 2025 pantry garden seemed appropriate and timely.

Hannah had created a booklet of seedling and seed options that would be appropriate for our spaces, and we were able to discuss the amount and sizes of beds for this year’s garden. Here are the plans we made:

• Number and size of beds: For this year, our goal is fewer beds, but better use of available space. This means combining small beds with other small beds, combining small beds with large beds and rototilling more of the grassy areas to add planting space to all the beds. In other words, more square footage for planting and less square footage for grass cutting. All in all, we will convert our nine current beds into six big beds.

• What we will grow: Because we normally have five or less volunteers on any given work night, we are going to plant vegetables and herbs that will provide high yield with minimal hands-on intervention. Our plan is to grow potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, sweet peppers, hot peppers, zucchini, red beets, radishes, winter squash and fall green beans. We will also plant basil, dill, parsley and oregano, along with zinnias and marigolds.

• Watering when there is no rain: We currently have a water-catch system on the back and gate sides of the shed. Our plan is to add a second water-catch system to the front and opposite sides of the shed. We are currently on the hunt for a free or inexpensive new 250-gallon tote or a used, food-grade tote. Contact me at 610-379-6823 if you can help us to source one.

The Seed Farm will help us to install a drip irrigation system to each bed so we can efficiently and effectively water our plants without using valuable volunteer time to achieve it. We also need to develop a more efficient way of adding water to our tanks when we have insufficient rain to fill them.

• Getting started: Depending on the weather, we will be removing the hoops, covers and old plants from our existing fall bed and get it tilled and ready for potato planting April 7. It will be my first-time growing potatoes, and I am excited to learn the process.

If Hannah’s estimates are accurate and we get a good growing season, we should be able to grow approximately 350 pounds of potatoes to share with our pantry guests. After we get the seed potatoes into the ground, we will develop a timeline to prepare the other beds for seeding and planting based on weather, cold tolerance and expected harvest dates.

• 2025 goals: In 2024, we grew 885 pounds of vegetables and herbs, which were shared with guests at our pantry and free community meals. Our goal for 2025 is at least a 20% increase, or 1,100 pounds.

In my next article, I will share with you our progress and upcoming work dates and times for the pantry garden. If you are walking the Ironton Rail Trail or visiting the local neighborhood, stop by to visit, say hello or help our efforts. Remember, no clearances are needed, and we will provide you with the gloves and tools you will need.

Have a great Easter!

Editor’s note: This column was written by Gwen Herzog, pantry garden chair.