Great Links
Concrete Cutting & Removal | Community Gardens in University City | General Information on Trees and Plants | Grant Information | Greening Contacts for University City | Local Greening E-mail Lists | Nurseries and Garden Centers | Philadelphia Property Maintenance Codes | Related Organizations | Street Tree Planting and Care Resources | Tree and Landscape Services
Contractors:
James Farr 215-778-2325
Roy Hiser 610-828-4446
Kelly Concrete 215-837-1992
Capour Construction 215-747-4259
Al Jones 267-257-1002
Equipment Rental:
Diamond Tool
29th & Grays Ferry Ave, Philadelphia
215-952-1919
Center City Tool Rental
1931 Washington Ave, Philadelphia
215-599-4009
Rainbow
Landscape & Hardscape Contractors
215-457-7533
Recycling Concrete:
Winzinger - clean concrete only
7am - 3:30 pm
2870 E. Allegheny Ave
215-425-4422
COMMUNITY GARDENS IN UNIVERSITY CITY
Botanic Heritage Gardens at the 40th Street SEPTA portal
3900 block of Woodland Avenue:
Michelle Murphy 215-222-4222
3900 block of Baltimore Avenue:
Pamela Haines pamelahaines@verizon.net
Maintained by volunteers we welcome participation!
- photos
Chester Avenue Community Garden
4713-15 Chester Avenue
Christine Hibbard, (215) 747-6204, chibba@verizon.net
Number of plots: 25 - 30
Number of gardeners: 25
Waiting list: yes
Length of wait: (usually short)
Has fruit trees and a central lawn; plots are in the back
Supported by Neighborhood Gardening Association
Gardens @ Cedar Park
49th & Baltimore Avenue
Maureen Tate, 215-726-8664,
tatemch@aol.com
Volunteers needed to maintain garden beds in community park!
Garden Court Community Garden
47th and Spruce Streets; includes tennis courts
Nancy Geryk 215-472-3347, s.geryk@verizon.net
Number of plots: 21
Number of gardeners: 21 (maximum)
Waiting list: yes
Length of wait: 1-2 years
All gardeners are expected to participate in two workdays per year
Gray's Ferry Garden
47th and Gray's Ferry Ave. (south of bridge)
Terri Mushovic, NGA 215-988-8797
Number of plots: 25
Number of gardeners: 10
Waiting list: no
Length of wait: plots available!
Water use fee, workday help expected
Vegetable, flowers, fruit trees.
Supported by Neighborhood Gardening Association
Looking for energetic new gardeners!
Holly Street Neighbors Community Garden
321-323 North Holly Street (between 41st& 42nd
Sts., Powelton Ave. & Baring St.)
Sheila Henry, 215-387-0507
Winnie Harris (215)382-0579, winnieharris2003@yahoo.com
Number of plots: 14
Number of gardeners: 10
Waiting list: None - Plots Available!
Water $5 monthly
4 Workdays required per season
Looking for energetic new gardeners!!!
- photos
Martin Community Garden
41st & Chester Avenue
Lauren Leatherbarrow, (215) 386-3905, openn@earthlink.net
Number of plots: 10
Number of gardeners: 10 maximum
Waiting list: no
Length of wait: next season
Water use fee $10/year per plot; workday help expected.
Sloan Street Community Garden
326 N. Sloan Street (between 39th and 40th & between
Powelton and Baring)
Carolyn Smith, (215) 387-5852 , smith330@aol.com
Vegetable/Flower Garden Plots: 4 feet x 8 feet or 4'x4' half plot
Common areas with both vegetable and flowers for sharing or growing food for
community
Number of plots: 19
Number of gardeners/garden supporters: 24
$10/plot, $5/half plot. Water is $2/month. Help with common areas.
Waiting list: new gardeners welcome!
- photo
St. Bernard Community Garden
1000 S. Bernard Street
Marlene Goeke, 215-724-1247, marlenegoeke@gmail.com
Number of plots: 22
Number of gardeners: 35
Waiting list: no
Length of wait: none
Summer/Winter Community Garden of Powelton Village
Summer & N. 33rd Streets
Joe Revlock, (215) 387-0341, joseph.revlock@verizon.net
Number of plots: 37
Number of gardeners: 60+
Waiting list: no
Length of wait: plots available!
University City Garden Club Garden
44th and Locust Streets
http://www.home.earthlink.net/~ucgc/
Lauren Leatherbarrow (215) 386-3905, openn@earthlink.net
No vegetable plots, this is a flower garden.
Twilight gardening from 6-9pm on Fridays during growing season.
Volunteers welcomed!
Warrington Community Garden
4700 Warrington Avenue
Steve Payne, 215-724-8131, steve@vortexhouse.org
Number of plots: over 60
Number of gardeners: over 60
Waiting list: yes
Length of wait: at least two years
Supported by Neighborhood Gardening Association
www.ngalandtrust.org/
- photo
West Powelton Concerned Community Council Garden
4027-4029 Powelton Avenue
Phyllis Hinnant 215-387-8951
Number of plots: 14
Number of gardeners: 6
Waiting list: no
Length of wait: plots available!
4 Workdays Required Per Season
Looking for Energetic New Gardeners!
GENERAL INFORMATION ON TREES AND PLANTS
American Community Gardening Association
· has many links to urban gardening and community stewardship
American Forests
· a non-profit citizen conservation organization founded in 1875
· access to their publications
Ask A Gardener
askagardener@pennhort.org
· garden question and answer service from the Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
· e-mail or call 215-988-8777 Mon-Friday, 9:30 am - 12 noon. Closed in December.
eNature.com
· a searchable database for identifying more than 4,000 plant and animal species
in North America
Envirolandscaping
· info on environmentally friendly landscapes
International Society of Arboriculture (ISA)
· information on better tree care and understanding of trees
Mid-Atlantic Center for Urban and Community Forestry
· part of the USDA Forest Service
· lots of research, web-based tools, free publications, and other links
National Alliance for Community Trees (ACT)
· ACT is a national network of urban forestry and community greening groups
· dedicated to tree planting, care, conservation, and education.
National Arbor Day Foundation
· information on Arbor Day, tree guides, information on planting and caring
for trees, working with youth, and information on related conferences and workshops
National Tree Trust
· a resource for groups and individuals interested in trees
· grants and educational assistance available
Ohio State Plant Dictionary
· plant facts, including diseases and pests
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
· common trees of Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Flora Project
· searchable database of Pennsylvania flora, maintained by the Botany Department
of the Morris Arboretum of the University of Pennsylvania
The Right Tree Handbook
· a guide to choosing the right tree for the site, especially around electrical
wires
Tree Link
· provides information, research, and networking for people working in urban
and community forestry
· sponsored by the National Urban and Community Forestry Council
Trees are Good
· created by ISA to provide the general public with arboriculture (tree care)
information
Trees in North America
· information on trees in North America by region
Treehelp
· information for homeowners regarding care for tree and shrubs.
Shade Gardening
· Tony Avent, founder of Plants Delight Nursery in North Carolina, has written
an informative essay on different shade conditions and the plants that thrive
therein.
University of Connecticut Plant Database
· database of trees, shrubs and vines.
Urban Horticultural Institute, Cornell University
· research and technical support planting in urban ecosystems, including enhancing
soils.
· links to information on urban horticulture.
Urban Natural Resources Institute
· a science-based source for information on urban natural resources stewardship.
What Tree is It?
· easy and interactive tree identification method
Cedar Park Neighbors Block Improvement Grants
www.cedarparkneighbors.org/
· For blocks in Cedar Park, West Philadelphia, covering 46th- 52nd Streets, Larchwood to Kingsessing Ave.; and the Septa rail line to the southwest.
· Priority given to maintenance and renewal of street trees, sidewalks, curbs, and front gardens.
· Grants up to $500 for one block.
· Application deadline: Feb & July
Community Conservation Partnerships Program
· Funds recreation and conservation projects such as: rehabilitating a community
athletic field, building a safer playground, preparing a watershed or greenways
plan, developing an abandoned rail corridor, protecting a critical natural
or open space area.
· Deadline: October 13
Partnership Enhancement Monetary Grant Program
1-800-846-8733
· Funding available for tree planting, maintenance, education, and training.
· Grants range from $500-$20,000.
· Seeds program: http://nationaltreetrust.org/index.cfm?cid=41000
· Roots program: http://nationaltreetrust.org/index.cfm?=cid43000
· Application deadline: October 1
Pennsylvania Urban and Community Forestry Council
· Community Improvement grants: available to community organizations, volunteer
groups and schools, from $500 to $3000.
· Tree Improvement grants: $1000 to $5000 can be used for pruning and tree
care for street trees.
· MRTP Electric Utility grants: $1,500 and $5,500 can be used for the purchase
of compatible trees to be planted under electric utility lines.
· Mini grants available for tree education materials and start-up materials,
up to $100.
· Information on grants and fact sheets for urban forestry.
· Application deadlines: March and October
Pennsylvania Growing Greener Grants
www.dep.state.pa.us/growgreen/defaultdep.htm
Nancy Crickman 610-832-6100
· Funds available to schools, non-profit groups, and partners for demonstration
and education outreach projects that help keep storm sewers clean and reduce
water runoff.
Penn State Extension Urban Forester Program
Julianne Scheiffer 610-489-4315
· Information on grants and fact sheets for urban forestry
The Philadelphia Regional Foundation Center
· Assistance in proposal writing and fund raising. Equipped with computerized
databases.
· Directory of Pennsylvania Foundations- list of PA's private foundations and
their areas of interest, both geographical and issue-related http://pafoundations.net/7thEditionInfo.php
Spruce Hill Block Improvement Grant Program
· For blocks in Spruce Hill, West Philadelphia, covering 40th-46th Streets,
Woodland Avenue to Market Street.
· Priority given to maintenance and renewal of street trees, sidewalks, curbs,
and front gardens.
· Grants up to $500 for a single block and up to $1200 for cooperating adjacent
blocks.
· Application deadlines: January and June
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
· Grant-writing tutorial for anyone applying for an EPA grant and small communities,
environmental professionals, and small businesses
· Detailed information and tips on writing a grant proposal
Youth Garden Grants
· For schools and community organizations with child-centered, outdoor garden
programs.
· Priority given to educational focus and/or curricular ties, nutrition or
plant-to-food connections, environmental awareness/education, entrepreneurship,
social aspects of gardening such as leadership development, team building,
community support, or service-learning.
· Each grant winner receives $500 gift card from The Home Depot for the purchase
of gardening materials and supplies specific to the needs of their program,
and more.
· Website has links to other related grant programs.
· Application deadline: May
GREENING CONTACTS FOR UNIVERSITY CITY
Active Tree Tender groups in University City / West Philadelphia
Baltimore Avenue in Bloom
Project Team: Mike Hardy, Amanda Benner, Steve McCoubrey, Johannah Fine, Lauren
Leatherbarrow, Angie Coghlan
(215) 349-7825, md.hardy@verizon.net
Cross Baltimore Tree Tenders
Johannah Fine, (215) 724-4517, nanjojo@earthlink.net
Angie Coghlan, (215) 729-6273, ahc0913@verizon.net
Friends of Clark Park
43rd and Baltimore Ave.
http://www.clarkpark.info
215-552-8186
Friends of Barkan Park
50th and Spruce Streets
Mark Krull, (215) 471-0943, mkrull@earthlink.net
Malcolm X Park
52nd and Pine Streets
Gregorio Pac Cojulun Jr. (215) 748-5329
http://www.malcolmxpark.org
Penn State Cooperative Extension Office
215-471-2200
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org
(215) 988-8844; 988-8843, mmaslin@pennhort.org; mhardy@pennhort.org
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society Garden Tenders
http://www.pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org
(215) 988-8845, smccabe@pennhort.org
Philadelphia Green Tree Tenders
(215) 988-8844, mmaslin@pennhort.org
Philadelphia Green Garden Tenders
(215) 988-8845, smccabe@pennhort.org
Saunders Park Tree Tenders
39th and Powelton Ave.
Jean Mitchell Jean.Mitchell@uphs.upenn.edu
University City Garden Club
President: Lauren Leatherbarrow,
(215) 386-3905, openn@earthlink.net
West Philly Tool Library
4620 Woodland Avenue
Philadelhia, PA 19143
(215) 833-3190
Membership lending library of tools for greening, repair, maintenance,
building projects.
http://www.westphillytools.org
PA Horticultural Society's Wired Gardener
· information regarding the Delaware Valley
· reviews of newly discovered gardening and greening websites, new books and
videos in PHS library, and news of gardening and greening events at PHS
· to subscribe: email listserv@pennsylvaniahorticulturalsociety.org and leave
the subject line blank and in the body of the message type "subscribe
wiredgardener, [your first name] (space) [your last name]".
Philadelphia Community Gardens Network
· create and support the free flow of ideas, knowledge, and many other resources
available to the many community gardens of the Philadelphia metro area
· source for people searching for area gardens and gardeners
· Yahoo! Groups format - open membership
UCGreen's e-mail announcements
· learn about greening activities for and related to University City
· find out about community service and volunteer opportunities
· become educated about the environment, gardening, and horticulture
· become a part of the University City greening community
· to subscribe: email info@ucgreen.org with "subscribe" in
the subject line
Plant Source
Provides Philadelphia area gardeners with information about where to find
plants at local retail and wholesale nurseries, garden centers and plant
society and public garden sales.
Albrecht Nursery and Garden Center
650 Montgomery Ave. Narberth, PA 610-664-4300
Birmingham Gardens
West Chester, PA
Chuck Feld 610-793-1494
Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve
New Hope, PA 215-862-2924
Greensgrow Farms - Nursery, CSA, Farmer's Market
2501 E. Cumberland Street
Philadelphia, PA 215-427-2702
Hillside Nursery
570 E. Baltimore Ave.,
Clifton Heights, PA 610-626-2826
Moon Nurseries
Yardley, PA 215-968-6141
North Creek Nurseries
Landenberg, PA 877-ECO-PLUG
Octoraro Native Plant Nursery
Kirkwood, PA 717-529-3160
Philadelphia Houseplant Wholesalers
(and garden center)
1233 Bainbridge St., Philadelphia 215-545-5044
Primex Garden Center
Glenside, PA 215-887-7501
Princeton Nurseries
Allentown, NJ 800-916-1776
Red Bud Native Plant Nursery
Glen Mills, PA 610-358-4300 or 610-358-3300
Ronny's Nursery
Rt. 13 Smyrna, DE 800-798-3819
Russell Gardens
(perennials and rare plants)
Richboro, PA 215-322-4799
Snipes Nursery
Morrisville, PA 215-295-1138 snipesnursery@aol.com
Styers Nursery
Concordville, PA 610-459-2400
Tree the Streets
(native container trees)
Ridley Park, PA
Tim Devaney 610-532-6827 treethestreets@yahoo.com
Triple Oaks Nursery and Herb Garden
Franklinville, NJ 856-694-4272
Woodland Building Supply
(garden supplies, topsoil, mulch, annuals in season)
47th and Woodland Ave., Philadelphia 215-727-5333
PHILADELPHIA PROPERTY MAINTENANCE CODES
Section 401. Street Trees, Plants, and Flowers
Section PM-312. Overhanging or encroaching trees
Exterior Property Areas
PM-302.3 Weeds: All premises and exterior property shall be maintained free
from weeds or plant growth in excess of 10 inches (254 mm). All noxious weeds
shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be defined as all grasses, annual plants
and vegetation, other than trees, shrubs, cultivated flowers and gardens.
Neighborhood Gardens Association/A Philadelphia Land Trust
Penn State Cooperative Extension Office
Pennsylvania Council for Environmental Education
Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Pennsylvania Greenspace Alliance
Pennsylvania Horticultural Society
Pennsylvania Native Plant Society
Philadelphia Park Alliance (formerly Friends of Philadelphia Parks)
Schuylkill River Development Corporation
215-985-9393
10,000 Friends of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania Bio Pond
STREET TREE PLANTING AND CARE RESOURCES
Fairmount Park Commission
http://www.fairmountpark.org/StreetTreeIntro.asp
Fairmount Park Street Tree Planting Permit and Maintenance Request Form:
http://www.fairmountpark.org/pdf/FPC_tree_request.pdf
Fairmount Park Recommended Street Trees
FREE Wood Chip Mulch, Compost, and Soil Amendment:
Fairmount Park Recycling Center, 715 Chamounix Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19131 phone: (215) 685-0108, Open 7:30 - 3pm M - F; Saturdays in spring/summer only. You can take away free wood chip mulch and leaf mulch compost. Bring shovel and/or pitchfork and containers. Wood chip mulch is good for topping gardens and tree pits to keep moisture in and as a barrier for weeds. Leaf mulch compost is a good soil amendment, adding nutrients to poor quality soil. Many times you will need to pick some trash out of these free materials.
Philadelphia Water Department Biosolids Recycling Center, 7800 Penrose Ferry Road, Philadelphia, PA 19153 phone: (215) 685-4065. Open 8am - 4:30pm M - F; open on Saturdays, but call ahead on Friday to make sure. You can take away free Earthmate from the location listed above. Bring shovel and containers. Earthmate is a highly processed screened recycled biosolids compost mixture for use as a soil conditioner. It is not a substitute for soil or mulch. Too rich for one, two light for the other. But it is an excellent soil additive to mix in.
PA One Call System - Underground Utility Line Locating Service
1(800)242-1776
CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!
Soil Testing
Pennsylvania residents can follow instructions on Penn State's Cooperative
Extension site:
Or send for a soil test kit from the local county office: send a $10 check
to Penn State Cooperative Extension, 4601 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19139
(215) 471-2201
All Green Tree Service
Matt Meline 215-844-0531
All Seasons Stump Removal
2131 Basswood Drive, Lafayette Hills, PA 19444 (610) 656-9543
Brennan Tree Service
215-335-9741
Bartlett's Tree Experts
Hal Rosner (610) 664-3200
Corner's Landscaping
Michael Corner 215-742-7576
Haye Landscaping Inc.
John Haye 215-669-4240
McDonnell Landscape and Tree Service
Tom McDonnell 215-471-4056
McFarland Tree and Landscape Services
215-844-TREE
Rainbow Landscape & Hardscape Contractors
Ira Zinner, (215) 457-7533
Please help us keep this information up to date. If you know of a correction or change, please email info@ucgreen.org.
UC Green does not endorse one vendor over another. These resources are a service to the UC Green community.