Staff photo/June Collins-McKiernan Kids like coming to the Children’s Garden where they can get their hands dirty and see how things grow.
The community is invited to visit the Bothell Children’s Garden, Farmer Brown’s Garden and Grace Community Garden, where WSU Master Gardeners will be on hand to give tours and provide a series of demonstrations.
All of the gardens are located behind Bothell United Methodist Church.
"Actually, the Children’s Garden and Grace Community Garden are joint projects of the WSU Master Gardeners and the church," explains Le Brandes, Master Gardener.
"The Children’s Garden has been around since 2000 and Grace began just last year."
She adds, "The goal of the Children’s Garden is to teach kids good stewardship of the land and to help them make the connection between growing something and feeding your family."
Master Gardeners host programs for children at the garden, where they introduce them to the joys of gardening and encourage them to take the lessons they have learned and use them at home.
Visitors have included kids from local elementary schools, the Northshore YMCA, home school groups and Brownie and Girl Scout troops.
"We grow a variety of seasonal veggies at the garden," says Brandes. "And then there are fruit trees, a butterfly garden and a bog garden.
"Kids really enjoy coming here because they can get their hands dirty and see how things grow. We make the learning experience fun." She adds, "We like to say that we grow gardeners here."
Over at Grace Community Garden, there are 24 beds that individuals, families and groups can lease for a modest $30 donation per season (cost goes to offset water expense).
"It’s a pea patch," comments Brandes. "People can grow what they want and tend to their own plots. Mostly, it’s veggies and a few flowers here and there.
"We’re only in our second season, but so far, it’s been very popular with both experienced and novice gardeners alike."
Next to the Children’s Garden is Farmer Brown’s plot, a produce patch that supplies the Hopelink food banks with up to 1,000 pounds of vegetables a year. Caretaker Warren Brown lovingly tends to the garden on an almost daily basis. "Warren has a great passion for feeding people and he was instrumental in getting the garden started," says Brandes. The local woman has seen an increase in the popularity of gardening, especially in the past two years. She attributes this to the challenging economy and to the desire to help expand the food budget. "Home gardening is something everyone can do and the rewards are great," she adds. "It can really help stretch your grocery dollars."
Brandes views the upcoming open houses as an opportunity to let the community know about the gardens, as well as gain information about organic gardening.
She says, "If you’re someone who cares about organic, you can have some control over what you’re growing and putting in your mouth."
All three gardens will have open houses from 10 a.m. – noon on June 26, July 24 and August 28.
The gardens are located behind Bothell United Methodist Church, directly north of Bothell High School at 18515 92nd Ave. N.E.
In addition to tours and demonstrations, there will be special activities for children of all ages.
Everyone is welcome, but kids must be accompanied by their parent or guardian 18 years or older.
For more information, leave a message for Le Brandes at Bothell United Methodist Church at (425) 486-7132.
• All three gardens will have open houses from 10 a.m. – noon on June 26, July 24 and August 28.
• The gardens are located behind Bothell United Methodist Church, directly north of Bothell High School at 18515 92nd Ave. N.E.
• For more information, call (425) 486-7132 and leave a message.
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