The Torresdale & Megargee Streets community in Northeast Philadelphia is the proud site of a new sunflower field, a collaborative effort led by the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation, Heroic Gardens, and other valued partners.

This project, made possible by the generous donation of land from NewCourtland, aims to revitalize a former site of public housing. While the soil presented unique challenges, such as the presence of concrete and foundational materials, we embraced the opportunity to transform this space into a vibrant community asset.

This initiative not only enhances the neighborhood’s aesthetic appeal and provides a meaningful purpose for the land but also offers valuable employment opportunities for veterans, aligning with our commitment to supporting those who have served our country.

Veterans Find Employment and Healing in the Sunflower Garden

The Sunflower Garden at Torresdale and Megargee Streets not only creates a beautiful green space for the community but also provides meaningful employment opportunities for veterans involved in the project. By offering these opportunities and fostering a connection with nature, the Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation, Heroic Gardens, Oldcastle APG, and other generous partners are helping veterans heal, connect, and give back to their communities.

Heroic Gardens and the Rodale Institute are employing a regenerative approach to revitalize the soil called “lasagna gardening” at the Torresdale and Megargee Streets site. This method prioritizes soil health and ecosystem function. Key elements include:

• No-till practices: Avoiding tilling the soil minimizes soil disturbance, preserving beneficial soil organisms and improving water infiltration.
• Cover cropping: Planting cover crops between growing seasons adds organic matter, suppresses weeds, and prevents soil erosion.
• Composting and organic amendments: Incorporating compost and other organic materials enriches the soil with nutrients, improves water retention, and enhances microbial activity.
• Biodiverse plantings: Cultivating a variety of plants, including sunflowers, supports a healthy ecosystem and attracts beneficial insects.

This holistic approach aims to create a thriving and sustainable ecosystem while providing meaningful employment opportunities for veterans.

So, What exactly IS Lasagna Gardening?

Lasagna gardening, a sustainable and nutrient-rich gardening technique championed by the Rodale Institute, involves layering organic materials like cardboard, compost, and mulch to create fertile garden beds. This method mimics natural decomposition processes, improving soil health and reducing the need for chemical fertilizers. The Ocean State Job Lot Charitable Foundation recently contributed cardboard, while Oldcastle APG supplied compost, demonstrating a collaborative effort to support sustainable gardening practices and community initiatives.

Let’s work together to create something truly extraordinary for Philadelphia’s veterans!

Join us in building a program unlike anything the city has seen before, one that helps our veterans successfully transition back into the workforce.