Second community garden taking root at Mount Erie Elementary Posted by Joan Pringle | Apr 18, 2012 | 184 views

A second community garden in Anacortes is taking shape this spring at Mount Erie Elementary School with work parties, plot sign-ups and an open house.

The garden has five plots still available among the 11 set aside for the public after others were divvied out to students, teachers and for area food banks.

People interested in leasing a plot for the year can contact Sylvia Cooper at (360) 420-7774 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address). Access to the plots will not be allowed when school is in session.

The garden follows the 29th Street Garden, opened in spring 2009 by Anacortes Community Gardens, a partnership between the city Parks and Recreation Department and the nonprofit Transition Fidalgo & Friends.

“We are looking forward to wonderful opportunities our students and community will have with the benefits of growing food for themselves and for our food banks here in town,” said Cooper, community gardens chair and coordinator of the Mount Erie garden. “Starting the learning process of growing food from kindergarten age and continuing throughout their school years gives students and parents knowledge that can benefit them their whole lives.”

One plot at the Mount Erie garden is going to each grade at the school, kindergarten through sixth. One plot will be for the teaching staff and another for growing food destined for food banks.

Volunteers are welcome to help build the garden during work parties starting at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays April 21, 28 and May 5. The garden area is on the west side of the school by the soccer fields.

“We are also excited to announce ACG will be the recipients of the 4-percent Friday (Community Shopping Day) at the Skagit Valley Co-op in Mount Vernon on April 27,” Cooper said. “Four percent of all purchases that day will go toward building gardens here in Anacortes.”

An open house to officially open the garden is 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, May 14. Students will be selling plants, soil amendments and raffle tickets.

“The students are also planting in their garden plots that day so stop by and enjoy the garden,” Cooper said.

Extra gardening hand tools are needed for the garden. Anyone with extras they’d like to donate can drop them off at the 29th Street Garden (behind San Juan Lanes) or the parks office at City Hall. To make a monetary donation, go to www.anacortescommunitygardens.org.

Anacortes Community Gardens will also help expand the garden at the Anacortes Boys & Girls Club this year.
“With the help of the city’s parks department, volunteers and parents, and the businesses here in Anacortes, we are accomplishing these goals,” Cooper said.