Spring is fully upon us. The nurseries are bursting with pretty little green things, making us anxious to plant something and see it grow. But not all of us have the space, the dirt, or the resources to build a garden at home. Why not get out and join a community of gardeners making an impact in your neighborhood?
Community gardens bring wonderful opportunities to our cities. First, they provide productive green spaces in the midst of the bustle of urban life. They also give people, who may not be able to otherwise, the space, capability, and, sometimes even, the education they need to grow food. Most community gardens also give back to those in need or the people they live alongside through a non-profit endeavor.
In the Inland Northwest, these gardens are set up in a couple of ways. Some, like the Shared Harvest Community Garden in Coeur d’Alene, charge a small fee (typically $15-$30) for a raised bed, and allow you to plant, manage, and harvest that bed as you see fit.
The Spokane area features 33 community gardens, all listed at spokanegardens.org. The Coeur d’Alene/Post Falls area has an additional five gardens. While you’re at it, look into the “Plant a Row for the Hungry” program. That way, as you start to enjoy your garden’s abundance, you can maximize the pleasure of good by sharing it. //
Feature photo: Shared Harvest Community Garden. // Courtesy of Shared Harvest.
