EVERETT — You don’t really need to own a farm or even a garden to grow some of your own produce.
This was just one of the lessons imparted to both newbies and more-experienced gardeners Saturday morning at a series of workshops on growing food.
“You can grow a lot of food. It’s so fresh. It’s so tasty, and it hasn’t traveled 1,400 miles to get to your table,” said Wendy McClure, one of the organizers.
As the economy takes a downturn, more people turn to gardening, McClure said.
“We want to be responsive to this interest,” she said. “The idea is to suggest lower-cost ways to do things.”
Growing even a little bit of the most simple things, such as lettuce and cherry tomatoes, can save money and make a family’s diet more nutritious.
The workshops taught composting and growing food in small spaces, including on balconies. Instructors gave tips on using recycled materials and other inexpensive equipment to start a garden.
“If you are really trying to help your own budget, thinking about what your family likes to eat is a great place to start,” McClure said.
Participants also learned about community gardening, an option popular with apartment dwellers.
Snohomish County already boasts several community gardens in Everett, Monroe and Arlington, McClure said.
Growing produce in a community garden is not only good for your wallet, it’s good for your soul, McClure said.
“It’s a lot more fun and it’s inspiring to be with other people,” she said.
If you don’t know where to start, just remember: It’s not that complicated.
“Seeds want to grow,” McClure said. “It’s really about providing good conditions and helping them along the way.”
Reporter Katya Yefimova: 425-339-3452 or kyefimova@heraldnet.com.
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