Meet the gardeners!

Forrest and I feel pretty lucky to have met such a terrific bunch of garden collaborators.

The result is amazing - the beds are productive, the weeding a collective effort, and together, we're creating a beautiful space for all of us to enjoy (with Ballard's first Edible Garden Tour as a hard and fast, very motivating deadline!).

While I think we're all enjoying the process and the shared wisdom, I am extremely grateful to each and every one who's come on board to create this thing that's far more than the sum of its parts.

Here's a little bit about all of us:

Laura & Forrest

“When I fully realized that we are a part of nature, to no greater or lesser degree than any other plant, insect, or animal, it was purely transcendental. And I didn’t learn that camping or hiking in the wilderness, I learned it in our garden here in the city.” - Forrest

Laura (that's me, your blog host) spent much of her childhood here at this house in this garden with her grandfather, who taught her much about life but not enough about gardening (perhaps not paying enough attention…). So she’s learning by trial and error and finds weed pulling unusually satisfying – although fewer weeds would be preferred. Even more satisfying is sharing the space with others who find it equally satisfying, and to see the space so fully used again.

Forrest seemingly comes to gardening through osmosis – his mother creates a garden wherever she goes, be it Georgia's Barrier Islands (Tybee), the north of England (Newcastle), or some remote setting in Ireland. Forrest has great instincts, is exceptionally resourceful, can be counted on to get things done, and makes sure that none of us have a single dull moment. He fully trusts his indigenous gardening partners- squirrels, birds, and moles- and is learning to trust his new human partners, too.

Shiv

Expose some dirt and Shiv will plant in it. Originally from India, his Punjabi accent is thick and his Hindu faith devout. Arriving in Seattle in 1980, his ancestors are religious teachers and farmers, and his mantra’s help the garden grow. His is the largest plot in the garden – and he also has the parking strip, along with plots in his own yard. He’s an inspiration – his garden produces something pretty much year ‘round, from mustard greens all winter to peas, tomatoes and the ubiquitous zucchini in summer. He’s lived across the street since 1991, has planted here for at least 10 years, if not more, and often brings his own water, digs weeds for exercise, and shares the bounty readily. He is often joined by his brother-in-law, a recent arrival from India.

Jennifer & Christopher

“May your garden always make you smile.”

Thanks to Urban Garden Share, Jennifer and Christopher are now garden collaborators. Their apartment, fortunately for this little community, had no more garden space than a small balcony. In Seattle for a number of years now, Jennifer came to Seattle originally from Ohio but by way of Georgia, where Christopher, like Forrest, hails from. Jennifer spent much of her childhood tromping through her grandparent’s garden and teasing her cousin, who would eat an onion like an apple – with the dirt still attached. She now expands on those memories as an adult by digging in the dirt everyday and nurturing a garden that in turn, nurtures her by providing daily surprises and growing friendships.

Andy & Yukko

“Please help yourself and your neighbors by growing your own community gardens with shared spaces.”

Andy & Yukko found the garden through Jennifer & Christopher. Andy is – like Laura, an anomaly these days – from Ballard, but Yukko grew up in Japan. They currently have a small garden at home, but were ready to do more. An interest in small-scale agriculture has been percolating for quite awhile, and they believe that urban farms can make a big difference. Here, they’re not just growing food, but they’re helping to grow a community.

Liz

Liz grew up in Ohio gardening with her mom but hadn’t done much gardening on her own. But her interest in gardening never waned, and she’s now growing a gorgeous garden complete with colorful edible flowers. Her Sweet Valentine lettuce is a bouquet of unmatchable proportions, and her beets are extraordinary. Liz is excited and grateful to finally have a space in Seattle in which to grow vegetables, also thanks to Urban Garden Share.

Ben

“Gardening is an attempt to deepen my conversation and connection with the earth.”

Ben lives in an apartment of the house just north of the garden. This is his first year in Seattle, and his first attempt at gardening. He became interested in gardening while living in a California orchard, and was continually inspired by the medicinal herb gardens tended by friends. Noting all the activity as the community garden got going, he, too, was ready to grow some food. His salad greens and herbs are thriving, and neighbor and prolific gardener Shiv offers continual advice.

(Photos: Andy & Yukko, early days; Yukko & Jennifer; Liz; Shiv; Christopher & Forrest)