Nailing it Down
By Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty
The Randall Street Garden that was established last year has turned out to be like a perennial plant, sprouting back to life again this year.
And, with our late spring weather, it’s not too late to rent a space at this garden at 1015 Randall St. in East Aberdeen.
“We still have a fair amount of open ground that is waiting for gardeners,” said Liz Ellis, the garden’s mastermind, who has an agricultural degree from Washington State University.
There is a $15 membership fee to join, and bed rental is suggested at $2 a square foot, making a 4- by 14-foot plot $112 for the season.
Included in that price is prepared and amended soil and access to tools, seeds, water and help.
Also, Ellis said, some grant funds are available for people who are unable to pay the rent.
“Last year went wonderfully,” she said. “There were several first-time gardeners. We grew a lot of produce; we donated a lot of produce to the senior center, and even sold some produce to some of our neighbors. It was just a very nice beginning.”
Five families and a youth group participated the first year.
“We had such an amazing growing year last year. The cucumbers seemed to be limitless,” said Ellis.
“I took some of my veggies to the Grays Harbor County Fair and came away with many first- and second-place ribbons,” she said. “I’m encouraging people to take what they grow here to the fair this year. Not only is it fun, but the ribbons come with a dollar value so you can actually generate some income too.”
WHAT’S NEW
This year, “everything is bigger and better,” Ellis said.
So far seven families and 11 individuals have signed up to garden. In addition to the nearly 400 square feet of raised beds, 1,000 feet of in-ground growing space is still available.
Also, there will be a farm stand at the garden this summer selling seasonal produce. As crops become available, the farm stand will be open from 9 a.m. to noon on Saturdays and by appointment.
It will provide fresh flowers, herbs, berries and vegetables at reasonable prices, with the proceeds going back to support the garden. Any surplus will be donated to the senior center, Ellis said.
Having access to locally grown food gives consumers important choices for how their food is produced, she said.
“The Randall Street Garden grows crops without pesticides and using natural soil-building compost and organic fertilizers that grow healthy, non-GMO produce,” she said.
As of last week, Ellis said she’d already planted onions, lettuce, basil, celery, carrots, green beans and a variety of flowers.
She was also planning to plant corn, pumpkins, summer squash, winter squash, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, potatoes and garlic.
“Already this spring, Randall Street Garden produce has been featured at Rediviva Restaurant and the Favorite Fresh Produce and Gifts,” she said. “The farm stand is even on the Grays Harbor County Farm Map.”
Meanwhile, another community garden, the South Side Pollen Patch, is forming at 931 Stockwell St. on the south side of Aberdeen.
Volunteers are transforming this 8,875-square-foot site so that one-third is dedicated as community garden space, one-third for growing market vegetables and one-third for growing crops to be donated.
Sheilia Canada is the one to contact to if you would like to be a part of this new community garden. She can be reached at 360-581-5419.
TODAY’S THE DAY
If you’re interested at all in taking a look at the Randall Street Garden, today is a great day to check it out. From 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today, the garden will be providing a place to celebrate Worldwide Knit in Public Day.
“People are invited to bring their knitting, spinning and crocheting projects, sit in the garden and check out what it is all about,” said Ellis. “Everyone is welcome to stop by and say hello, even if you don’t knit.”
She also clued us in to another interesting event you may just want to mark on your calendar. The Alternative Energy Fair and Solar Home Tour will be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 26 next to the Tesla charging lot at F Street and Wishkah Road in Aberdeen.
“There will be displays of solar panels, various vehicles and tools as well as solar and financing experts,” she said.
For more information about the Randall Street Garden or the Solar Home Tour, you can contact Ellis at harborsolar@yahoo.com.
Dave Murnen and Pat Beaty are construction specialists at NeighborWorks of Grays Harbor County, where Murnen is executive director. This is a nonprofit organization committed to creating safe and affordable housing for all residents of Grays Harbor County. For questions about home repair, renting, remodeling or buying, call 360-533-7828 or visit 710 E. Market St. in Aberdeen.
