About
What is it? A Good Neighbor Garden is an organic edible garden on public property (such as a parking strip or vacant lot) in which the work and rewards are shared by the community.
Why do it? The Good Neighbor Garden Project grew out of a desire to foster community while encouraging organic gardening, water conservation, food security, quality nutrition, and climate change action. In the Spring of 2008, neighbors who helped start a farmers’ market selling produce grown within 100 miles of their neighborhood decided to narrow the lens and bring produce grown within 100 feet! They planted the seed with other neighbors, and the Good Neighbor Garden Project took root.
“The movers and shakers on our planet aren’t the billionaires and the generals–they are the incredible numbers of people around the world filled with love for neighbor and for the earth who are resisting, remaking, restoring, renewing, revitalizing.”– Bill McKibben, author of Deep Economy and The End of Nature.
Phase One: A Garden
In Spring 2008, the Project’s first project was to build a garden –- part demonstration, part inspiration (and part perspiration!) -– on the east side of the Queen Anne Community Center at 1901 First Avenue West, the current location of the farmer’s market. Consisting of seven raised beds, the garden was created and maintained by neighborhood volunteers, some of whom are already organic gardening experts. The Project includes participation from people of all ages and abilities. Produce from the garden is harvested by anyone who would like to eat it.
Phase Two: Many Gardens!
Beyond its pilot phase, this project will assist Seattle residents to create similar gardens in planting strips and other underused public spaces. Volunteers will provide guidance on plant selection and maintenance, and assist in building raised beds if desired.
In addition, the project will develop a web-based program to facilitate garden matches between gardeners in need of land and landowners in need of gardeners. A seed, start and plant exchange is also under consideration, as is a tool library.
The harvest from all these efforts? Shared knowledge, experience, tools, seedlings, and no small quantities of zucchini. Neighbors coming together on common ground. An increase in our collective wisdom about food.
When you walk past a Good Neighbor Garden, you’ll be able to pick a bouquet of herbs for dinner, pull a few weeds, identify a bug for a child, and get to know a neighbor a little better. And you’ll know yourself, your season and your place a little better.
“It sounds kind of woo-woo, but . . . it’s about being fully present in the moment. You need that genuine connection to the time and place where you are.” — Local chef and author Greg Atkinson, on growing your own food
