Sultan creates community garden

Sultan volunteers took advantage of the sunny weather this weekend, gathering for a planting party at the new community garden at the Volunteers of America Western Washington facility (701 First Ave.) near downtown Sultan.

A volunteer-driven project, the new garden is situated just outside the large A-frame.-á

Since the project first began in early March, members of the community have come forward to donate both labor and funds. Much of the initial construction was accomplished by local volunteers Susie Hollenbeck, Joe and Elizabeth Stone, Angela Curtis, Jody Kerr and others.-á

Sultan resident Andy Paulson secured heavy equipment, using a backhoe to help level the area, prepare the ground, create walkways, spread gravel and situate the raised beds.

A total of five 4-by-8-feet raised garden beds were constructed.

Saturday, May 2, was planting day at the community garden. Sultan Mayor Carolyn Eslick, VOA Director Calei Vaughn, Hollenbeck, Jody and Tiffany Kerr, Paulson and many others spent the day with their hands in the dirt. Volunteer Dee Waluk-Johnson arrived just after noon with lettuce starts and seeds to grow carrots, beets, radishes and habaneros.-á

Jody and Tiffany Kerr, who own Scottish Thistle Farm off of U.S. 2, donated seeds from a sizeable seed order placed for their farm. Jody worked closely with Hollenbeck to plan the seed planting event and plan the garden, which used a technique called square foot gardening.-á -á

In square foot gardening, the growing space is divided up into small square sections, a far more effective use of space than planting in rows.-á

"It allows you to plant a heck of a lot more intensely,GÇ¥ Jody said.-á

Square foot gardening, which is typically used in raised beds, offers many advantages, including enhanced accessibility and prolific crops. Weeds can be stymied by the dense method of planting and pest prevention can be accomplished by utilizing natural pest-repelling plants like marigolds.-á -á

The community garden has been a collaborative effort. The gravel was donated by a company called Team Nelson, the soil was donated by Sultan Dental Center owners Tasha and Carl Fricke, lumber was donated by Hollenbeck, VOA Kitchen Coordinator Ann Marie Bunch created a donation jar at the senior center and an additional donation jar was placed at the Sultan Visitors Center.-á

Numerous other residents came forward with monetary donations to help cover the cost of lumber, weed barrier, seeds and more. -á -á

Volunteer Angela Curtis created a Facebook page for the garden, so that meetings can be easily organized and work parties arranged.-á

For more information about the Sultan VOA Community Garden, visit www.facebook.com/groups/247189582094655. -á