Where grass grew, a veggie garden grows in Edmonds

EDMONDS — The first garden took shape last year with the help of two neighbors and two women from Edmonds Unitarian Universalist Church.

Carlo Voli tore out the lawn from the front yard of his suburban ranch-style home and planted a vegetable garden to share with his neighbors.

“The food is right here. There is no transportation or storage taking energy,” Voli said. “Anyone can grow food. You just have to start somewhere, even if it is growing food in a planter. Everyone has the power to change the system as individuals, you don’t have to wait for governments to do it.”

As an organizer of an annual clean-up of a neighborhood green belt, Voli felt that a community vegetable garden would be a good use of his sunny front lawn. His neighbors share watering duties and in the bounty.

Ten years ago, following a decade as a volunteer in Third World countries, Voli came to the quiet street in the Firdale neighborhood of Edmonds, where his family had originally settled in the 1860s.

“I was depressed to see what we are doing here,” he said. “I want to live my dream of renewing the environment and growing food.”

To that end, Voli has given up his clothes dryer and does not use disposable cups, napkins or food containers. He bikes to work and takes the bus. When he needs to use a car, he drives a biodiesel-fueled compact.

And he makes it a habit to reexamine habits.

“There is always a new level,” he said. “You always have to look for the next thing. Next, I am getting hens.”

Voli uses renewable energy as much as possible — he has solar panels, a wind turbine and a solar oven. Rain, collected from the rooftop, is used to operate his dual-flush toilets and water his garden.

Voli said he doesn’t look harshly on those who haven’t followed in his carbon footprint.

“I recognize that my being able to help bring real change cannot come from a space of anger, resentment or negativity,” he said.