LEARN A NEW GARDENING SKILL FROM PHS  

GROW TO SHARE:
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LOVE THE EARTH 2020: 
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  IN TIMES OF COVID-19, HOW ARE WE GARDENING IN   

  COMMUNITIES SAFELY?  

***RECOMMENDED RESOURCE GUIDES:

• Recommendations for Philly Urban Agriculture and Community Gardening During COVID-19

• Another really great compilation of food specific resources from around the country: COVID-19 Resources for Farmers and Ag Service Provider Organizations. 

• A really well-stocked guide of general resources and volunteer opportunities created by the Philadelphia Food Policy Advisory Council: FPAC- Connecting to Build a More Just Food System

1. Continue growing food! Now more than ever we should be practicing local self-reliance and grow food for ourselves and the community.

2. Exercise an abundance of caution in the garden and follow these guidelines recommended by the CDC:

• Wear gloves and disinfect high-touch spots

• Maintain social distance of six feet or more from others.

• Be mindful of frequently touched spots like gates, locks, water spigots, tools.

• Plan a day to disinfect! Use diluted household bleach solutions, alcohol solutions with at least 70% alcohol or other EPA-approved products. Viruses can be relatively long-lasting in the environment, and have the potential to be transferred via food or food contact surface.

• Have hand sanitizer and soap readily available in the garden. Create a sanitizing station in the garden. If hand sanitizer isn’t readily available, consider making your own.

3. Limit sharing. Consider bringing your own tools for the time being as well as posting signs in the garden for people to a) wear gloves and b) always sanitize equipment after use.

4. This is the only time you'll hear us saying this, but restrict large gatherings at the garden. There is no reason people should be holding a party or barbecue at this time even if the weather feels right.

5. Consider reducing risks for at-risk gardeners such as old gardeners, immune compromised etc.

6. Stagger participation. This is more difficult but if possible consider how to stagger the involvement of folks in the garden to ensure managing social distancing. Consider no more than 4 or 5 people in a confined area.

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Here are very helpful links with recommendations regarding the handling, selling, and distribution of produce:

• This is a given, but thoroughly wash all produce you harvest from the garden!

• Helpful framework for thinking about gardening during this time 

• Farmer's market recommendations from the PA Department of Agriculture 

• An official statement from the FDA/CDC on the relationship to food handling with the spread of coronavirus. While it applies mostly to conventional food distributors, some of the tips and links within it can apply to post-harvest garden procedures.

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