Plans are underway for this year's community garden program at the Parkesburg Library.

The gardens at the library include a pollinator garden meant to attract birds, bees and butterflies, as well as raised garden beds located behind the library that are used to grow vegetables.

"We are so proud of our community garden program," said library director Tom Knecht, noting that for the past five years the gardens were maintained by Penn State Master Gardener Dave Jones, assisted by his wife, Linda. "He tirelessly created and cared for our beautiful pollinator garden at the library's entrance, floral beds along the side of the library, as well as the organic community vegetable garden."

Now that Dave and Linda have retired, local youth Armen Caravantes has been named the new volunteer garden coordinator. "Being involved with the Parkesburg Library community garden ignited my passion for growing our own food and ultimately led me to want to farm organically now and in the future," Armen stated. "The gardening program is an amazing resource."

Currently, the library offers limited raised bed spaces to community members on a first-come, first-served basis. "(The garden area) is fenced off, so the people who are doing the gardening can get a key to open the gate in the back," Knecht explained, adding that in past years, some vegetables grown in the garden have been taken into the library for free distribution to library patrons.

Under Dave's guidance, the raised gardens beds at the library have produced leeks, corn, peppers, zucchini, tomatoes, lettuce, garlic and more. Community members were invited to attend weekly "Garden With a Master Gardener" programs, held on Saturday mornings, during which they tended to the gardens - weeding and watering and harvesting produce. Dave also presented "Gardening 101" lectures at the library.

In August of 2016, the library's flowering garden, which includes petunias, dahlias, marigolds and hydrangea, was named a pollinator-friendly garden by the Penn State Extension Master Gardener program. A sign in the garden announces the designation. The library is the first one in Chester County to get the official designation from Penn State University.

The public is invited to participate in the garden program. Donations of supplies, such as soil and compost, will be accepted, and local youth groups, such as Scouts, are invited to donate their time working in the garden.

Volunteers, including local carpenters or contractors, are also needed to help build additional raised beds or donate supplies. Monetary donations are also being accepted. "This year, we hope to add new raised beds to increase participation," Armen noted. "We also hope to be able to raise funds so we can dedicate a couple beds to growing produce for the Chester County Food Bank."

The Parkesburg Library is located at 105 West St., Parkesburg. For more information about the community garden program, readers may contact the library at 610-857-5165 or parkesburglibrarygarden@gmail.com.