The Greenhouse: A Building with Many Stories

Photo by Marty Steeil

The Greenhouse of Teaneck, begun in 1953, is the only municipally-supported greenhouse in the State of New Jersey. Town Council records show that the Greenhouse is based in the refurbished Vandelinda Sewerage Treatment Plant.

 Adapting that building for use meant,  according to Council Minutes,  “covering the concrete vats, repairing the roof, and installing a heating system. ”The Garden Club of Teaneck took on cleaning up glass and debris, as well as fundraising, by asking for $25 per family to turn the site into a greenhouse. It opened up officially in January, 30 1954. Members organized by interest area work groups (i.e., herbs,  geraniums) and propagated plants for the use of the Township in parks and malls.

There were 31 original benches that were assigned in the opening year; all members paid dues of $3.00. Members who joined the Greenhouse needed to be members of the Garden Club, live in Teaneck and join a group to develop plants for the Township. These rules are used today still. Greenhouse Directors have included Gene Hubbard, Lou Schwartz, Dania Cheddie, Len Schwartz and Stephanie Murphy.

The Greenhouse has developed outreach activities in the community, such as their  education programs for children, now over 20 years in existence. It is finished for this year, and included students planting seeds and learning about a plant’s growth and parts.

The Garden Club holds an annual Plant Sale in the Greenhouse, this year from May 2^nd to May 10^th,. Container gardens, herbs, tomatoes, hanging baskets, vegetables, annuals, and more can be bought. To find sale hours, check:  http://gardenclubfteaneck.org   New this year are special demonstrations of interest to gardeners. You will see knowledgeable Garden Club members preparing soil, arranging potted plants and using color in landscape design.