Blawnox Community Garden hosts weekly opportunities to volunteer

Tawnya Panizzi | Wednesday, August 11, 2021 12:53 p.m.

Shane Dunlap | Tribune-Review

Carol Hillwig, co-chairwoman of the Blawnox Community Garden committee, works on picking weeds from the gardens during the volunteer cleanup night Aug. 4.

Blawnox Community Garden volunteer Ashley Dolhi was filled with excitement after helping to harvest kale from the raised beds that fill the site along Center Avenue.

It was the first time that Dolhi of Blawnox got her hands dirty at the weekly work shifts scheduled Wednesdays at the garden.

Organizers said that’s the beauty of the garden, that no experience is needed and that there is plenty of work to dig into.

Volunteers are sought to help for about an hour, starting at 6:30 p.m., to pull weeds and water the crops.

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Carol Hillwig, garden co-chairwoman, and other organizers from the Best of Blawnox group, said the mission of the garden is to get to know your neighbors and to create and sustain a healthy community of plant lovers while providing fresh supplies.

Zucchini, squash, kale, basil and collard greens are among the crops harvested so far.

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Organizers have been working to raise awareness of the project by marching in the borough’s Memorial Day parade and manning booths at community events, such as last week’s National Night Out.

They hosted a free giveaway last month to dole out produce to anyone in need and said they likely will host more in August.

Members thanked GROW Pittsburgh for its help in funding the project and offering on-site guidance to manage the 10 garden beds and three raised containers.