Community Gardens Benefit the Neighborhood, the Economy and the Environment

This entry was submitted by one of our community members. The author’s views are entirely his or her own (excluding an unlikely case of hypnosis) and may not reflect the views of the Chamber.

Down to Earth Community Gardens has hatched a plan to vastly expand the number of city residents who know how to grow fruits and vegetables - as well as how to cook, preserve and sell them. "There's no reason why you can't grow your own food in the city," said Terry Myer an organic farmer who points to her own planted Marysville yard as evidence. "This is a years-long project that aims to get a lot of people involved." "We're big on sharing," said Myer, as she pointed to the varied collection of flowers and food. "This is a big asset to us and the community." Myer said many seeds are already planted: She's one of many urban and suburban dwellers growing food at home or in community gardens in Snohomish County. And people are turning out in droves at area farmers' markets in downtown Snohomish, Mukilteo, Edmonds, and Everett, among others, fueling a nationwide increase in markets by more than 25 percent since 2004, according to government statistics. Across the nation and Canada, there were 18,000-20,000 community gardens last year, the American Community Garden Association estimates. Working with the City of Lake Stevens, Myer hopes to have a plan to develop more "community managed open spaces" that could be a garden or other use. Partnering with the City and the Snohomish Conservation District is vital for connecting with the wider community, pushing more backyard vegetable gardens and urban farms that can sell or donate food. Together, she said, they are good for neighborhoods, the planet and the economy. "They strengthen communities by giving them recreational space or healthy food," she said. "They are good for the environment because if they're green they're not polluting. ... And they are good for the economy because they stabilize communities and increase property values." Others in and around the city are finding ways to use private property for community gardening. The local Family Center with volunteers from Lake Stevens has revitalized 400 square feet of organic gardening spaces. The effort will create a healthier population and a more sustainable city by expanding on existing gardening and developing nascent interest. Back in her Marysville yard, Myer shows off her garden filled with raised beds of vegetables and herbs. She has 3 small greenhouses with some tomato and bell pepper starter plants. There's tool storage and seeds waiting to be planted in the back near a compost pile. There's also a five rain barrel system and three cats to keep watch. "To save space, you plant the beets and radishes together, which are the slow growing and the fast growing, and you plant the tall plants like tomatoes with anything that needs shade," she said, launching into a lecture she offers through her partnership with the Parks and Recreation and SnoIsle Libraries to give in her future community gardeners. She has more: on soil, on timing, on organic fertilizer, on conservation. She explains how the food can be made into meals in future community kitchens, and how it can be preserved as sauerkraut, pickles and jellies. "Anyone can do this. Get a pot and some dirt and you can grow something." The first large scale community garden is coming to Lake Stevens this May. Eagle Ridge Community Garden located at Eagle Ridge Park on Soper Hill Road in Lake Stevens offers 12,000+ sq ft of growing space with 79 raised beds, ten of which have been set aside to grow organic produce for the local food bank as well as to offer a workshop space. Sustainable Gardening and Lawns to Lettuce classes are scheduled for this June through the Parks and Recreation Department. To learn more about community gardening in Lake Stevens visit the Down to Earth Community Gardens website.