PHS and COVID-19

Keeping our staff and constituents safe is a top priority. As of May 5, 2020: Our Library, 20th Street and Meadowbrook Farm Offices remain closed until further notice. All in-person programs have been paused. PHS is providing many virtual experiences to keep gardeners informed and working closely with our network of community gardeners, LandCare teams, Tree Tenders and others to keep our communities green and growing. 

In times of crisis, the simple act of gardening can make a difference in your health and the impact you can make in your community. PHS can provide you with the resources and support to use gardening as an important tool in the coming months. 

We hope you will enjoy our new suite of DIY videos created for all skill levels and ages.  Grow Together quick-tips provide easy to follow instruction on a wide variety of topics. GROWinar presentations and workshops take you to fascinating gardens with tours by nationally renowned gardening experts and offer hands-on guidance to tackle the most challenging gardening projects.  We are working to provide new ways of sharing these insightful gardening programs with as many of you as possible. Visit the  Gardener’s Blog  for timely topics, expert tips and great gardening all year! 

General Updates 

• For general inquiries go to [email protected] or call
  215-988-8800
• We are maintaining remote working hours from 9 am-5 pm, Monday through Friday
   

Community Gardening 

In partnership with the urban agriculture community, our Community Gardens team has compiled a list of resources and recommendations to keep gardening safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any questions please contact the Community Gardens team at [email protected].   

Tree Programs

The safety of our PHS volunteers, Tree Tenders leaders, and staff is always our top priority. Despite the challenges our communities face during the Covid-19 pandemic, we can carry out our fall tree plantings by minimizing the risks for everyone involved. Our best practices for safety include:

• Follow all standard pandemic precautions: Masks, social distancing, and frequent use of hand sanitizer.
• Minimize the number of people gathered in one space as well the time they’re gathered there.
• Keep as much activity as possible outdoors.
• Ask participants to stay home if they have symptoms or have had exposure to someone who does or has been diagnosed. 

PHS has compiled a list of online resources on the benefits of planting trees in your area. Have a site you'd like to share? Contact our team at  [email protected]  to add a resource.