Today we welcomed Judy Swenson who has been a member of the Gardeners of Crooked billet for over 20 years. The Gardeners of Crooked Billet was founded by Mrs. Frank H. Mather in 1937. The object of this organization is to promote interest in the art of gardening, to aid in the protection of native trees, plants and birds, and to encourage civic planting. Mr. Frank Mather was elected the first president, with four other men to follow in two-year terms as presidents.
The first civic improvement project was the cleanup of the Wunderle tract, a weed grown piece of land located in Hatboro at the south end of York Rd across from the Methodist Church. Pink petunias were planted along with other flowers and shrubs. The project was so successful, and the pink petunias were so beautiful and cheerful that the pink petunia was declared Hatboro's flower by Mrs. Mather. Later the field was leveled and paved for a parking lot for an Acme. Victory gardens were promoted in 1942 with about 100 new vegetable gardens planted in Hatboro and vicinity. After the war a generous gift of seeds was sent to devastated Finland. Another result of the clubs' efforts was the appointment of a Shade Tree Commission in the borough in 1944. On April 28, 1976, a bicentennial commemorative shade tree was presented to Hatboro's Park and Recreation Committee by the Gardeners at a ceremony in Eaton Park. A tree, a 4-inch caliper Norway Maple, variety "Emerald Queen" was selected for smog and pollution resistance as well as superior growth habits. In 1981 the Gardeners of Crooked Billet took on a new challenge in planting and maintaining the herb garden at Keith House located at Graeme Park on County Line Rd. Becci, a member of the club at the time considered the rejuvenation of the historical herb garden an important task for the club. She thought it provided an education for people today to learn about the herbs from yesterday. Currently, the garden is still maintained by the Gardeners of Crooked Billet and holds a variety of old-fashioned herbs such as comfrey, horehound and lovage just to name a few. In honor of Becci's dedication and vision the Gardeners named the herb garden, "Becci's" Herb Garden. Some more recent projects include the garden at the south end of York Rd by the sign at the entrance to Hatboro and a Children's garden at the Union Library which is a pollinator garden. The club has about 35 members and meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Church of the Advent
The first civic improvement project was the cleanup of the Wunderle tract, a weed grown piece of land located in Hatboro at the south end of York Rd across from the Methodist Church. Pink petunias were planted along with other flowers and shrubs. The project was so successful, and the pink petunias were so beautiful and cheerful that the pink petunia was declared Hatboro's flower by Mrs. Mather. Later the field was leveled and paved for a parking lot for an Acme. Victory gardens were promoted in 1942 with about 100 new vegetable gardens planted in Hatboro and vicinity. After the war a generous gift of seeds was sent to devastated Finland. Another result of the clubs' efforts was the appointment of a Shade Tree Commission in the borough in 1944. On April 28, 1976, a bicentennial commemorative shade tree was presented to Hatboro's Park and Recreation Committee by the Gardeners at a ceremony in Eaton Park. A tree, a 4-inch caliper Norway Maple, variety "Emerald Queen" was selected for smog and pollution resistance as well as superior growth habits. In 1981 the Gardeners of Crooked Billet took on a new challenge in planting and maintaining the herb garden at Keith House located at Graeme Park on County Line Rd. Becci, a member of the club at the time considered the rejuvenation of the historical herb garden an important task for the club. She thought it provided an education for people today to learn about the herbs from yesterday. Currently, the garden is still maintained by the Gardeners of Crooked Billet and holds a variety of old-fashioned herbs such as comfrey, horehound and lovage just to name a few. In honor of Becci's dedication and vision the Gardeners named the herb garden, "Becci's" Herb Garden. Some more recent projects include the garden at the south end of York Rd by the sign at the entrance to Hatboro and a Children's garden at the Union Library which is a pollinator garden. The club has about 35 members and meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 7 p.m. in the Church of the Advent
12 Byberry Road Hatboro (Use the Rorer Avenue entrance.) Every month there is a guest speaker. {Rumor has it that they have the BEST dessert table in town}. The club also goes on some field trips such as touring a private colonial garden behind Moland house (Sat Jun 18 at 1000...feel free to tag along!). Please visit their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/hatboro.net/reviews/?ref=page_internal .