Brick Utilities, Georgian Court Share Lessons from the Garden

Georgian Court University Joins Brick Utilities for Free Public Education Event at Brick Reservoir

July 18, 2018—Richard Mohr, manager of the Mercy Garden at Georgian Court University, will share tools and techniques for creating self-watering planters at a Sunday, July 22 workshop sponsored by the Brick Township Municipal Utilities Authority.

Mr. Mohr will demonstrate how to make a self-watering planter using a 5-gallon bucket. Each participant will be provided a bucket planter, soil and a choice of plant to pot in it. All materials will be provided free of charge.

The event, slated from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Brick Reservoir, 811 Herbertsville Road, is free and open to the public. Registration is required because seating is limited. To register, please contact Shari Kondrup at 732-701-4282 or skondrup@brickmua.com.

Putting bucket planters to work

Overall, self-watering planters are conducive for growing vegetables, fruit, herbs and flowers in areas with limited space. They are easy to maintain and conserve water within the landscape while providing nourishment for families.

“The whole thing can go on a patio, porch, driveway or parking lot that gets a decent amount of light,” adds Louise Wootton, Ph.D., a professor of biology, founder of the Mercy Garden and director of sustainability at Georgian Court. “While anyone can benefit from using these self-watering containers, they are especially convenient for those who want fresh food but either don't have transportation to get to markets that sell it or can’t afford to buy produce.

“Self-watering planters are also attractive to those who come from cultures where growing one's own produce is an important part of family life,” Dr. Wootton said. “Creating options to grow meaningful crops in an urban or suburban environment can be an important part of restoring cultural identities.”

GCU’s Mercy Garden, which often draws volunteer support from community residents and university students, partners with Brick Utilities, Lakewood Township, Barnegat Bay Partnership and the New Jersey Agricultural Society for the urban Agriculture Conservation Initiative. Together, they promote urban agriculture as one solution to the problems created by profound food deserts.

About the Brick Utilities Workshop Series

This presentation is part of Brick Utilities’ “Weekend at the Reservoir” educational program. Weekend at the Reservoir is a free community education program which focuses on local water resources, particularly the importance of the Metedeconk River and Barnegat Bay to the region, and how to conserve water. Programs are held at the Brick Reservoir by announcement.

The Metedeconk River Watershed drains to Barnegat Bay and encompasses roughly ninety (90) square miles in both Monmouth and Ocean Counties. Starting at its headwaters in Freehold, Jackson and Millstone, the river flows eastward through Howell, Lakewood, Wall and Brick Townships before reaching Point Pleasant Borough and the Barnegat Bay.

The Metedeconk River is a critical water resource for the region. It serves as the primary water supply source for Brick Utilities, which provides drinking water to more than 100,000 area residents in Brick Township, Howell Township, Lakewood Township, Point Pleasant Borough, and Point Pleasant Beach Borough.

To learn more about the Metedeconk River Watershed, please visit www.metedeconkriver.org.

About the Mercy Garden at Georgian Court University

Georgian Court University’s Mercy Garden is a community garden producing food for needy families in the area while practicing and teaching sustainable, organic land management.

While partaking in activities together in the garden, volunteers and students learn leadership, cooperation and other community building skills to help those in need. Richard Mohr is an adjunct faculty member in the GCU biology department and manager of the Mercy Garden. He has extensive experience in outdoor education and volunteer leadership and training. He has degrees in Marine Biology and Secondary Science Education from the Florida Institute of Technology. To learn more about the Mercy Garden, please visit http://gcuonline.georgian.edu/wootton/mercygarden.htm.