FAIR HAVEN: FOR GARDENERS, 2014 IS A WRAP

The front walkway at the Raevis house in Fair Haven is decorated with pumpkins grown in the community garden. Below, a bountiful harvest of pumpkins grown on a double plot in the garden. (Photo by Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

Even with this second coming of lettuce and spinach, rules must be obeyed, and all forms of inner fencing, weed-control sheeting, rakes, spades, hoses and whirligigs are to be removed from the Fair Haven Community Garden by this weekend, closing out another season.

Opinions on how the season went had a lot to do with what was planted and where. The sunnier plots nearest Ridge Road seemed to have a better tomato crop, while the cruciferous vegetables did better in the shadier back areas.
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November 3, 2014 - 11:19 am | Comments ()

GETTING FRIED ON THE GREEN

Barnacle Bill’s fried zucchini with tangy dipping sauce is a perennial favorite, while deep fried pickle spears (below) from the Globe are a newer menu addition. (Photos By Susan Ericson. Click to enlarge)

By SUSAN ERICSON

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Eat your vegetables, you were told as a child. They’re good for you. But your mama probably didn’t mean the deep-fried veggies that have been popping up on tavern menus all around the Green.

Belly up to the bar, boys and girls, to try a less healthy but way more fun way to fill your pie hole with roughage. PieHole leads the tour…

September 18, 2014 - 11:36 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FROM ROOF TO ROOF-OF-MOUTH

Jamian LaViola grabs some herbs from the rooftop garden over the restaurant’s kitchen. (Photo by Jim Willis. Click to enlarge)

By JIM WILLIS

At Jamian LaViolas eponymous Red Bank bar and restaurant, Jamians, patrons are apt to arrive on beach cruisers or skateboards, and if they come by car, there’s a good chance there’ll be a surfboard or two strapped to the roof.

That neighborhood vibe now extends to Jamians menu, with some produce coming from as nearby as a small garden atop the Monmouth Street restaurant and LaViolas backyard garden in Navesink.

This summer LaViola is harvesting greens like romaine and frisee from the home garden and using them in the kitchen.

We just brought in some lobster, and were making a fresh lobster salad tonight,” he told redbankgreen last Friday. “Will I use some of my fresh greens for that? Yeah, absolutely because it will make it just that much better.

July 30, 2013 - 11:09 am | Comments ()

RED BANK: FRESH FROM THE VINE

A six-second Vine tour of the season-opening edition of the Red Bank Farmers Market last Sunday. The market, located at the Galleria at Red Bank, at the corner of West Front Street and Shrewsbury Avenue, runs on Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m into November. (Video by John T. Ward. Click to enlarge)

May 17, 2013 - 3:00 am | Comments ()

IN SHREWSBURY, CULTIVATING COMMUNITY

Della Benevides stakes a tomato plant in one of the “Plant a Row” plots designated for the needy. Below, a hot chili pepper. (Photos by Danielle Tepper. Click to enlarge)

By DANIELLE TEPPER

Fair Haven’s had one for decades. Tinton Falls has had one since 2009, and Red Bank, after much baring of teeth, appears about to finally get one.

Community gardens have become widespread as places where neighbors can kneel side-by side in the dirt and cultivate homegrown veggies together. Now, Shrewsbury has joined the trend with a month-old mini-farm that is already yielding eggplant, peppers and more.

This was our whole point, that it improves the quality of life in the community, said Maureen Collins, President of the Shrewsbury Garden Club.

August 9, 2012 - 2:28 pm | Comments ()

CHILDREN’S VEGETABLE GARDEN BURGLARIZED

The crime reports below were provided by the Red Bank Police Department for the period of June 24 to July 1, 2011. This information is unedited.

Criminal Mischief occurring between 6-27-11 and 6-28-11 at Monmouth Street-business. Victim reported that unknown person(s) broke window in business. Ptl. Michael Zadlock.

Theft occurring at West Bergen Place between 6-28-11 and 6-29-11. For the past several months’ young children of the Head Start Program have been planting vegetables and maintaining them in an enclosed pad locked area behind the building.

July 5, 2011 - 9:30 am | Comments ()

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