Garden Idea Takes Root In Spokane
While in Boston a number of years ago, I ran across a unique garden nestled in the heart of the city. It was enclosed by a wrought iron fence, tall trees and shrubs. It was my first introduction to a community garden. I was amazed by what I saw - literally hundreds of individual gardens being attended by their caretakers. Though some plots (only 10 feet by 10 feet) were filled with nothing but bouquets of flowers, most all of the gardens produced vegetables.
Since then, I have run across many community gardens. Most have been associated with apartment living or retirement communities. These gardens are either divided into sections, each cared for individually, or the whole parcel is worked as a cooperative venture.
More recently, there has been a movement toward another type of community garden. This new community garden concept is designed to allow families to have their own gardens in their own back yards.
Here in Spokane, social worker Lori Steiner has initiated this new type of community garden called the Spokane Community Gardens. It’s a non-profit organization whose focus is to fight hunger and poverty by helping families plan, construct and plant back-yard vegetable gardens. Those eligible for this assistance are low-income households, group homes for those with physical or mental disabilities, homeless shelters and seniors who may not be able to afford the makings of a garden.
How does it work?
If you qualify, a SCG volunteer helps you evaluate the potential garden site, helps select seeds and/or transplants and teaches basic garden care so you can care for your own garden.
Once the site has been determined, a second group of volunteers set up the garden, which may consist of one, two or three 4-by-8-foot raised beds. The raised beds are filled with rich organic soil so you don’t have to deal with existing poor soil. A trellis is provided so vining crops can grow upward, thus saving space.
When the beds are in place, participants receive seeds and transplants, organic fertilizer, and instructions for block planting, composting and seed-saving. They also receive on-going counseling and a newsletter.
The gardens are available at no cost to interested participants who qualify as low-income households.
The program was inspired by other successful community gardens nationwide. One in particular is the Home Gardening Project in Portland, Ore., started four years ago by Dan Barker. During those four years, Barker’s organization built 170 gardens that fed 595 people.
The Spokane Community Gardens looks for volunteers that may like to do on-site evaluations, bed construction, start seeds for tomatoes, peppers etc.; donate raspberry or strawberry shoots, donate used tools, or give demonstrations on garden-related subjects like nutrition, cooking or composting. Cash donations or building materials are never refused.
According to Steiner, “Gardening is a family or neighborhood activity that gives people a positive focus.”
Our hat’s off to Steiner and her corps of volunteers for this ambitious, exciting project. If you wonder if you might qualify for a garden or if you would like to help in any way, please contact Steiner at Spokane Community Gardens, 326-8159.
Of special note
The University of Idaho Cooperative Extension is offering a horticulture workshop series. The next lecture is Monday from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Kootenai County Extension Office, 106 E. Dalton in Coeur d’Alene. Kathy Hutton of Plants of the Wild will share use of native plants in the landscape. Pre-registration is necessary and the cost is $3. Call (208) 667-6426 for more information and to register.
If roses are your flower, consider joining the new Coeur d’Alene Rose Society - Old & New. The organizational meeting is Thursday at 7 p.m. in Coeur d’Alene. Call Pamela at (208) 667-8081 for directions and more information.
, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Phyllis Stephens The Spokesman-Review