Tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli, zucchini, strawberries, cucumbers, lettuce and herbs like thyme, basil, dill and oregano are just some of the crops being grown in raised-bed gardens located at the Parkesburg Library.

Ryan McCaughan, garden educator for the Chester County Food Bank (CCFB), and local teen organic farmer Armen Caravantes, volunteer garden coordinator, held an open house recently to make others aware of the community garden program at the library and to offer information about planting vegetables.

Early in the season, the library offered raised bed spaces to community members on a first-come, first-served basis.

"Every (bed) except for two have been planted by the public," Armen explained, noting that one garden bed has been designated as a demonstration garden, which will be used for free community gardening classes.

Although gardeners get to keep whatever they harvest from their individual plants, in past years, some vegetables grown in the garden have been taken into the library for free distribution to library patrons. Armen added that this year's garden includes 10 tomato plants whose yield will go to library patrons and the Octorara Area Food Cupboard.

However, gardeners who would like to help their neighbors in need are encouraged to donate their produce directly to a local food pantry. "We encourage people to donate to the closest possible food pantry. We accept anything at the food bank, but we are sending it back out to the food pantries," said McCaughan. "It is basically skipping a step if you can take it directly to the food pantries. You are saving time, which is huge when it comes to produce. Produce obviously has a shelf life. What Armen is doing here is exactly right - getting it to the local food cupboards right away."

McCaughan explained that gardens like the one at the library can grow crops well into fall. "Depending on the weather, you can grow plants if you have some row covers to create a greenhouse or mini tunnel. You put hoops down and you create an arch. That will increase the temperature of the soil and allow you to grow (plants) throughout the winter," McCaughan said. "It's called a season extension."

The CCFB grows fresh produce at Springton Manor Farm on one acre of fenced-in field space, in an 80-foot tunnel and in 32 raised-bed gardens. Seedlings are also started in Springton Manor Farm's heated greenhouse.

"In the high tunnel we grow crops all year round," McCaughan said, noting that cool season crops include collard greens, kale, beets, spinach and mustard greens. "In the winter, you can walk in the tunnel and it can be 40 or 50 degrees when it is minus 10 degrees outside."

McCaughan noted that conditions have been ideal this summer for growing vegetables. "I am growing a new variety of tomatoes called atomic grapes. They look like reverse raindrops (and) they have crazy colors," he said. "I never had them before. It's always fun to grow a new variety."

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