“The Philadelphia Orchard Project offered me many opportunities to work with a wide range of people to share my passion for teaching and working with plants. ” -Kevin Stutler, 2013 Golden Persimmon Volunteer In honor of the Philadelphia Orchard Project’s 10th anniversary in 2017, we’re looking back at a different year in our history every month. We’re … Continue reading POP History 2013 & Volunteer Highlight: Kevin Stutler
Why do we garden? Access to whole foods, exercise, fresh air and sunlight, community, a sense of purpose, beautifying underutilized environments — the list goes on. What about gardens as habitat for non-human neighbors? As an environmental scientist and gardener, I am fascinated by the potential of green spaces to promote the wellbeing of our … Continue reading Guest Post: Why Pollinator Gardens Matter
Several months ago, I traveled to Peru for a 5 day trek to Macchu Picchu. Although the views were breathtaking, I couldn’t help but be distracted by the many small farms along the hike growing delicious fruit that we don’t grow here in Pennsylvania. From the well known banana and avocado to more unusual fruits, … Continue reading POP in Peru
“Partnering with POP gave my students more than just the chance to plant trees; it provided us with experiential learning opportunities fostering skills for changing our communities while understanding proper plant care. Our classroom became orchards and gardens amid a sea of concrete; our materials morphed into natural resources and tools to shape them. Our curriculum was … Continue reading POP Summer Newsletter 2017
After our Juneberry Joy jubilee, we are jumping for joy! An annual tradition in its second year, Juneberry Joy is an exciting collaboration between the Philadelphia Orchard Project, volunteers, and food artisans across the city. Each year, our POP volunteers help us harvest juneberries (also known as serviceberries or saskatoons) from the many juneberry trees polka-dotting … Continue reading Recapping Juneberry Joy 2017!
We recently received an update from Penn State Extension about bacterial canker on stone fruits (cherry, plum, peach, etc.) which provides one upside to hot midsummer temperatures. According to their recommendations, “summer is the best time to prune your [effected] trees, particularly during dry weather. The bacteria do not like hot, dry conditions and the … Continue reading Does your tree look like it’s bleeding sap? It might be Bacterial or Fungal Canker!
“Dollar for dollar, a donation to POP will do a lot. It will most likely be used to plant a fruit tree or bush that will continue to produce high quality food for years to come. ” -Danie Greenwell, 2012 Golden Persimmon Volunteer In honor of the Philadelphia Orchard Project’s 10th anniversary in 2017, we’re … Continue reading POP History 2012 & Volunteer Highlight: Danie Greenwell
Q: What makes blackberries special? A: So many things! In order to properly research this blog post, a memory refresher of the taste of blackberries was in order! While the organic vegetable farm I work on does have blackberries growing, (mostly as a side enterprise) they are not yet ripe, and so I trekked to … Continue reading Bramble On: It’s Blackberry Time!
Cole Jadrosich is a literacy and agricultural educator at Tilden Middle School, where he leads an after-school garden club for fifth through eighth graders. Here, he shares his experience partnering with POP and cultivating the garden as a place where students learn self-reliance through farming. In addition to planting a new orchard at Tilden this … Continue reading Building Self-Reliance through the Tilden School Orchard & Garden
“I am continually learning that I’m a steward to each piece of earth I touch, and my history with POP has ensured that I can not only survive, but I am able to thrive, doing what I am compelled with all of my being to do.” -Robyn Mello, POP Orchard Director and 2011 Golden Persimmon … Continue reading POP History 2011 & Volunteer Spotlight: Robyn Mello
Read More
POP History 2013 & Volunteer Highlight: Kevin Stutler 
Guest Post: Why Pollinator Gardens Matter 
POP in Peru 
POP Summer Newsletter 2017 
Recapping Juneberry Joy 2017! 
Does your tree look like it’s bleeding sap? It might be Bacterial or Fungal Canker! 
POP History 2012 & Volunteer Highlight: Danie Greenwell 
Bramble On: It’s Blackberry Time! 
Building Self-Reliance through the Tilden School Orchard & Garden 
POP History 2011 & Volunteer Spotlight: Robyn Mello 
