By SCOTT D. JOHNSTON
Garden by the Sea, the non-profit community garden in Ocean Shores, held its 10th annual Season Opening Celebration Saturday with plots to rent, plants and seeds for sale, and master and veteran gardeners on hand to answer questions and give tours.
The event took place next door to the garden, at the Galilean Lutheran Retreat Center, 824 Ocean Shores Blvd. NW.
The garden was started in 2009 by Sushila and Robert Ravard, on a plot of land donated by the Galilean Center.
The mission is dedicated to “the development of community relationships through people growing garden fresh food while addressing hunger,” and “build(ing) community spirit through leadership, the garden experience, education and social responsibility with volunteerism.”
The garden offers a total of 41 garden beds, which includes eight extra large plots that are tended by volunteers and used to grow fresh vegetables for the Ocean Shores Food Bank.
The Garden’s mission statement: “Garden of the Sea is dedicated to the development of community relationships through people growing garden fresh food while addressing hunger.”
The regular beds can be rented for the growing season by anyone for $25, and several remain available.
Those interested in renting beds should contact Sushila at 360-593-8720 or Karen Young at 425-255-4025.
The garden is well stocked with a variety of tools, and gardeners may use a small greenhouse and storage shed. The group also offers a wide variety of informational materials, and person-to-person advice and assistance are always available. Gardeners are required to participate in common area maintenance activities that average 6-10 hours over the year.
In addition to operating the garden, the Garden by the Sea non-profit produces a busy calendar of events from March through September each year.
Highlights this year include the 6th annual Kids Art Workshop and Ladybug Release, on Saturday, June 16; a Succulent Workshop on Saturday, July 21, and a Wine, Cheese & Chocolate fundraiser in October. The second Saturday of each month is Volunteer Cleanup Day and the third Wednesday offers Brown Bagging It, a recurring lunch and garden discussion get-together.
More information is available online at and at the Facebook page, Garden by the Sea – A Community Garden.
