Community gardening

Imagine taking home fresh tomatoes, lettuce, beets, peas and carrots that you grew yourself. If you are new to growing, lack garden space or have not gardened in a while, consider joining a community garden. It is amazing what you can learn to grow.

A community garden is a place people gather to grow food. People can grow fruit, vegetables, herbs and flowers. The community garden can be one plot or several individual plots. The land can be flat or have raised beds. Community gardens are in rural, suburban and urban areas. These sites can be at parks, schools, retirement homes, open fields, yards or churches.

Community gardens are often maintained and managed by volunteers and led by an experienced gardener. Often a small fee is required to cover water, seeds and soil.

“How do I begin my own garden?” As a new grower, joining a community garden gives you the opportunity to try before starting at home. Learning from an experienced gardener will give you a head start and save money. Determining the best location for a garden is important — too much shade will hinder many vegetables, too much sun will scorch delicate herbs. Before you spend money on seeds and plants, learn about your plant hardiness zone. Mason County is in Zone 8b. Tomatoes, for instance, benefit from six to eight hours of sun while mustard greens and arugula prefer partial sun of three to six hours. Oregano, parsley and cilantro like cool, shady weather.

Lack of space can also be a challenge. Community gardens provide accessible growing space. A 4-by-12-foot plot can produce an abundance of lettuce and kale, enough to share with the entire neighborhood. A 4-by-8-foot plot will grow enough carrots, peas and spinach for your family. Some community gardens have “stock tanks.” These are barrel shaped containers to use in a small area that can grow sufficient amounts of herbs, fruit or vegetables.

Getting back into gardening can take encouragement. The community garden can fulfill the need to contribute. Being active with other residents in a shared area for a common purpose brings people together. Fresh air, sunshine and getting our hands dirty can be beneficial for our health.

Starting in April, WSU Master Gardeners will open the Catalyst Park Demonstration Garden to community members who want to learn best-gardening practices. You can learn and see various growing methods in action. You’ll learn about types of soils, when to plant, plant pollination, watering, fertilizing and harvesting. An educational workshop occurs monthly. For more information, email Kendall Carman at [email protected] or call 360-427-9670 ext. 682.

■ Marie Swanson is a WSU Mason County Master Gardener and Master Gardener Foundation member. Marie volunteers on the plant clinic, Catalyst Park and plant sale committees. Marie and DeeAnn Kline lead the Community Garden Bed program.