The Clark County Homegrown Gardens project celebrated the end of the growing season with two harvest parties, one in Camas and one in Hazel Dell, as well as a few more garden installations and work parties in October and November.
The program, which started in 2007, aims to give aspiring gardeners with limited financial resources access to a raised bed, seeds, plants, simple garden tools and a mentor to help and encourage them to grow their own vegetables.
Participants are also given the book, “The All New Square Foot Gardening Book” by Mel Bartholomew, which explains some gardening basics for use in a small space with minimal effort.
Garden beds have been installed at schools and churches throughout the county, most recently at Vancouver Heights Methodist Church and Hazel Dell Elementary School.
The project is funded by a grant from the Department of Ecology, administered through the Clark County Office of Sustainability and supported by several community partners.
The harvest parties, one at Whipple Creek Ministries on Oct. 12 and the other at Camas Friends Church on Oct. 19, allowed the gardeners and mentors a chance to enjoy potluck dishes using ingredients from their gardens.
Participants also filled out evaluation forms and offered suggestions for improving the program in the future. Gardeners also filled out surveys to track changes in consumption of fresh produce and the level of physical activity and family togetherness before and after planting their gardens.
Anyone who is interested in adopting a garden to take care of or hosting from five to 15 beds can contact Kris Alexander at 360-397-6118, ext. 5654, or e-mail kris.alexander@clark.wa.gov.
