SEATTLE -
What if you could cut your grocery bill by hundreds of dollars every month? Thousands of us are doing just that, with a boom in urban gardening that's taking over yards all over Western Washington.
Some people call them recession gardens in response to the economy. But whatever you call it, community gardening is on the rise, and gardening at home has jumped 19% in just the past few months as families learn they can save some big bucks growing their own food.
When Debra Hanson started up the Angel Morgan P-Patch in South Seattle six years ago, she started saving money, too. Hanson says, "There's a definite difference in our grocery budget." This mother of two is part of a growing nationwide trend. A lot more of us are gardening--companies are even selling out of seeds this spring--as we learn we can save as much as $2,000 a year growing food. Hanson says, "When our gardens are up and going, for a lot of gardeners, there's not a lot that we're shopping for."
The waiting list for community gardens like Angel Morgan is growing, too. Right now, 1,900 Seattleites are waiting, hoping to join the 1,900 already involved in P-Patches. A new park levy should help add 10 to 15 new gardens by next year. P-Patch Supervisor Rich MacDonald says, "There's going to be a huge amount of work, and hopefully a lot of gardening space for people."
And in that space, you'll find another reason for the rise in gardening's popularity: some tranquility. The only ''twitter'' here comes from the local birds. Beyond the economic impact, this garden spot at Angel Morgan is a refuge, where it used to be an old abandoned lot and dumping ground. Jennie Goode, who works in this garden, says, "It's polar opposites, from a problem to a safe space in the neighborhood."
It's a safe space for cultivating food, community, and a healthier budget that's looking sweeter all the time. But if community gardening isn't for you, or if you don't want to sit on a waiting list, that's not a problem. Experts say you can start a garden at your own home, even if you don't have a lawn. You can start growing in a space as small as a 5-gallon container. Just make sure the container has proper drainage and leave enough room for plants to grow roots down into the soil.
If you'd like more information on starting a garden at home, follow this link. To learn how to sign up for a P-Patch, go to this link.
Some people call them recession gardens in response to the economy. But whatever you call it, community gardening is on the rise, and gardening at home has jumped 19% in just the past few months as families learn they can save some big bucks growing their own food.
When Debra Hanson started up the Angel Morgan P-Patch in South Seattle six years ago, she started saving money, too. Hanson says, "There's a definite difference in our grocery budget." This mother of two is part of a growing nationwide trend. A lot more of us are gardening--companies are even selling out of seeds this spring--as we learn we can save as much as $2,000 a year growing food. Hanson says, "When our gardens are up and going, for a lot of gardeners, there's not a lot that we're shopping for."
The waiting list for community gardens like Angel Morgan is growing, too. Right now, 1,900 Seattleites are waiting, hoping to join the 1,900 already involved in P-Patches. A new park levy should help add 10 to 15 new gardens by next year. P-Patch Supervisor Rich MacDonald says, "There's going to be a huge amount of work, and hopefully a lot of gardening space for people."
And in that space, you'll find another reason for the rise in gardening's popularity: some tranquility. The only ''twitter'' here comes from the local birds. Beyond the economic impact, this garden spot at Angel Morgan is a refuge, where it used to be an old abandoned lot and dumping ground. Jennie Goode, who works in this garden, says, "It's polar opposites, from a problem to a safe space in the neighborhood."
It's a safe space for cultivating food, community, and a healthier budget that's looking sweeter all the time. But if community gardening isn't for you, or if you don't want to sit on a waiting list, that's not a problem. Experts say you can start a garden at your own home, even if you don't have a lawn. You can start growing in a space as small as a 5-gallon container. Just make sure the container has proper drainage and leave enough room for plants to grow roots down into the soil.
If you'd like more information on starting a garden at home, follow this link. To learn how to sign up for a P-Patch, go to this link.
