Local Gardeners Take Advantage Of Beautiful Spring Day
By Molly Daly
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - After a cold and seemingly endless winter, the signs of spring are everywhere, including in Southwest Philadelphia.
The Eastwick Community Garden is a small green oasis tucked into the drab development surrounding the airport. That's where Malvin Vincent was tilling the sun-warmed soil.
"I planted -- Lord have mercy -- carrots, collard greens and kale, turnips, and some of that Swiss Chard," he tells KYW Newsradio.
Vincent grew up on a farm, where he had to garden. Since he retired, he says he gardens because he wants to, for himself and for others:
"I do a lot for old people. That's where I get my glory, 'cause everyone needs help."
The secret to Mr. Vincent's gardening success? Organic horse manure he says:
"Organic, to give it a boost. And they don't stop. See how they stand up? They don't droop, because they're reaching for the sun."
Chis McLaughlin works overnight at the airport, so it's a short hop after work to the garden at Island and Bartram Avenues.
"I grow watermelon, lettuce tomatoes, cucumbers -- right now I'm getting ready to plant some spinach and romaine lettuce," he tells KYW Newsradio.
He says he's waited a long time to feel the sun on his back:
"It feels beautiful out here, I mean, there's nothing like it. Actually, you forget you're in the city when you're out here."
But sometimes, McLaughlin says, being at one with nature has its drawbacks, like the time he was sowing carrot seeds:
"I'm walking down in the rows, and I'm planting the carrots, and I turn around, and there's a bird right behind me, he's picking them as fast as I can put the seeds down."
Hey, everybody's gotta eat, right?
