Just a reminder that tomorrow (Saturday, April 30th) we will be meeting at 3pm to discuss plans for the garden.
Also, today I received the results for the soil samples that were sent off to be tested. Good news: we have safe soil! Also, the pH level is within a good range for growing vegetables and flowers, though when we bring in soil we will try to raise it just a bit to make it even more optimal. This means that we will not need to worry about building the beds extra high or bring in larger amounts of soil. Instead, we'll be able to work the new soil in with the soil in the field.
Join us as we create a community garden in the heart of West Seattle.
Friday, April 29, 2011
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Questions and Answers about the Garden
I was out in the neighborhood today, passing out letters to about 50 of our neighbors and several people had questions about the garden. I thought it might be helpful to put a few of the questions and answers up here so that others can benefit as well.
Q. Who owns the field where the garden will be located?
A. Providence Mount Saint Vincent owns the property.
Q. Do you have permission to start a garden in the field?
A. Yes! We have been in contact with Providence Mount Saint Vincent and they have agreed to our using part of the field to start a community garden. They are letting us use the property for free in order to grow food and flowers for our own use. There is an agreement of use waiver that every gardener will need to sign in order to use the property for gardening.
Q. How much of the field will be used for gardening?
A. Our initial plan is to begin gardening in a small portion of the field (approximately 1/8th of the area inside the fence). This will allow for space of up to about 10 gardeners. If there is considerable interest from neighbors, we will look at options for enlarging the space up to the size of a quarter of the field. We know that a lot of people in the neighborhood use this field and we would like to maintain a significant open area in order to allow for other uses of the space (Our agreement with Providence Mount Saint Vincent only covers the use of space for gardening, and we are not allowed to grant permission for other uses of the space. That said, we know the open space is appreciated by many, and we hope to enhance the space, in all its uses, for the enjoyment of everyone).
Q. What about the soil?
A. We have sent soil samples to be tested, especially since we are in an area with higher risk of lead and arsenic contamination from the Tacoma Smelter. We plan on building raised beds, and if the soil is contaminated, then we will work to make sure that there is a good depth of safe soil to grow food in.
Q. Is this a City of Seattle P-Patch?
A. No. While the site has been recommended in the past to the P-Patch office, it is not currently one of the sites listed for development as a P-Patch in their current plans.
Q. Since a lot of people use the field to play with pets, how will you keep animals out of the garden?
A. We will work with the pet owners who use the field to develop solutions if this becomes a problem. We believe that by having raised beds and laying down mulch between the beds, the space will be defined well enough that people playing in the field with their pets should have little trouble keeping their pets out of the beds.
Q. When is the meeting? And what if I cannot come?
A. The first meeting will be on Saturday, April 30th at 3pm. We will meet in the field. If it is raining we will meet across the street on the first floor of the brown apartment building. The Information from the meeting will be posted here on the blog within a couple of days after the meeting.
Q. Who owns the field where the garden will be located?
A. Providence Mount Saint Vincent owns the property.
Q. Do you have permission to start a garden in the field?
A. Yes! We have been in contact with Providence Mount Saint Vincent and they have agreed to our using part of the field to start a community garden. They are letting us use the property for free in order to grow food and flowers for our own use. There is an agreement of use waiver that every gardener will need to sign in order to use the property for gardening.
Q. How much of the field will be used for gardening?
A. Our initial plan is to begin gardening in a small portion of the field (approximately 1/8th of the area inside the fence). This will allow for space of up to about 10 gardeners. If there is considerable interest from neighbors, we will look at options for enlarging the space up to the size of a quarter of the field. We know that a lot of people in the neighborhood use this field and we would like to maintain a significant open area in order to allow for other uses of the space (Our agreement with Providence Mount Saint Vincent only covers the use of space for gardening, and we are not allowed to grant permission for other uses of the space. That said, we know the open space is appreciated by many, and we hope to enhance the space, in all its uses, for the enjoyment of everyone).
Q. What about the soil?
A. We have sent soil samples to be tested, especially since we are in an area with higher risk of lead and arsenic contamination from the Tacoma Smelter. We plan on building raised beds, and if the soil is contaminated, then we will work to make sure that there is a good depth of safe soil to grow food in.
Q. Is this a City of Seattle P-Patch?
A. No. While the site has been recommended in the past to the P-Patch office, it is not currently one of the sites listed for development as a P-Patch in their current plans.
Q. Since a lot of people use the field to play with pets, how will you keep animals out of the garden?
A. We will work with the pet owners who use the field to develop solutions if this becomes a problem. We believe that by having raised beds and laying down mulch between the beds, the space will be defined well enough that people playing in the field with their pets should have little trouble keeping their pets out of the beds.
Q. When is the meeting? And what if I cannot come?
A. The first meeting will be on Saturday, April 30th at 3pm. We will meet in the field. If it is raining we will meet across the street on the first floor of the brown apartment building. The Information from the meeting will be posted here on the blog within a couple of days after the meeting.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
How Can I Be Involved?
In order to make the garden a reality, we will need as much help as we can get. Our hope is to do this entirely on donated goods and services as well as rescuing and recycling materials offered free through Craigslist and Freecycle or from our neighborhood. Below is a list of ways that you can help us make this dream a reality.
Take Action
· Join us in becoming a gardener (no experience needed) or teaching new gardeners
· Help us build the garden (work dates to be announced)
Donate
· Newspaper and Cardboard (non-glossy newsprint only, please)
· Bricks, rocks, or untreated lumber (heat treated is okay, just not chemically treated)
· Wood chips, compost, soil
· Tomato cages, twine, wooden or bamboo stakes
· Seeds, flower or vegetable starts
Lend
· Shovels
· Gloves
· Wheelbarrows
· Buckets
· A Helping Hand!
Spread the Word
· Talk to neighbors about the garden
· Ask around and see if you know anyone who can help us get the materials we need for FREE
· Give us your ideas for the garden!
To contact a gardener about being involved you can email us at GrowCharlestown @ gmail.com (without the spaces).
What is Grow Charlestown?
“Grow Charlestown” is about neighbors working together to create a place of beauty and abundance right outside our doorstep. Our aim is to provide space for growing healthy food, especially for those in the neighborhood who do not have access to usable land. Throughout the next several months, we will be creating a neighborhood garden on a small portion of the field located on the southwest corner of Charlestown and 48th Ave. We realize that many of our neighbors also use this open space for recreation and as an off-leash area for pets. Our hope is to preserve a large open area while also providing ample space to grow food for ourselves and for donation to a local foodbank.
We have been granted permission by the property owners to create a garden for the use of the neighborhood. There is a waiver form that all gardeners will need to sign in order to use the property for gardening.
Letter to Our Neighbors
Dear Neighbor,
Greetings! We have recently received permission from the owners (Providence Mt. Saint Vincent) of the open lot on the southwest corner of 48th and Charlestown to begin a garden in a portion of the field. We realize that this rare open space in our neighborhood is enjoyed and used by many, and we hope to enhance the space for the enjoyment of everyone in the community. If you are interested in gardening with us or you just want to learn more about what we will be doing, please join us for an informational gathering on Saturday, April 30th at 3pm in the field (in case of rain, we will meet across the street in the brown apartment building).
At the meeting, we’ll talk about plans, soil testing results, and how you can be involved as a gardener or as a helpful friend of the garden. To find out more and stay up to date with our plans you can stop by and talk to us when you see us working in the field, or you can go online to www.growcharlestown.blogspot.com where we will be posting updates.
Thanks,
Daniel and Jocelyn Tidwell
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