South Sound YMCA offers free community gardening events this autumn

South Sound YMCA (Y) aims to strengthen communities through gardening, with its free and open-to-all events this September to December.  

The Y partnered with GRuB (Garden-Raised Bounty) and the Thurston Conservation District earlier this year to create community gardens at Tiny Home Villages inside the City of Olympia and some community-based gardens around the local Olympia Community (Yauger, Sunrise, and the Olympia Community Court Garden). 

The events garnered participation from community and organization members alike to plant fruits and vegetables together with residents of each tiny home village. 

These interactions provided an opportunity for the volunteers to connect while also providing fresh produce for the residents.  

The Y encourages community members to build relationships through gardening. 

 “This program provides fresh produce, fun gardening workshops, and education around healthy living. The gardens serve as an additional opportunity for residents to heal, connect with the community, and work towards establishing new and improved lifestyle habits,” the Y’s news release stated.  

Workshops

The events are spread from September through December, with different topics held at either the Sunrise Community Garden or Yauger Community Garden.  

Watering Solutions workshops help participants unveil new rain barrels, learn about the Olla Watering System through demonstration, and craft a rain chain table using garden scrap and upcycled materials. 

Propagation workshops help attendees prepare for fall by learning how to propagate plants successfully using food scraps and seeds through a cutting demonstration.  

Pumpkin Carving workshops teach the community how to use seeds by either drying them to plant next season or roasting them to eat.  

Small Space Planting workshops give instructions on using container planting for small spaces (such as apartments) or for continuing to grow food and herbs indoors during winter months. 

Garden Bird Houses workshops teach attendees how to build birdhouses and frog and insect hotels using garden scrap and upcycled materials. 

Participants can also learn how to create Nature Wind Chime crafts using recycled materials.  

Community events schedule: 

• September 21 at 11 a.m.: Watering Workshop – Sunrise Community Garden 

• September 28 at 11 a.m.: Watering Solutions – Yauger Community Garden 

• October 5 at 11 a.m.: Propagation Workshop – Sunrise Community Garden 

• October 12 at 11 a.m.: Propagation Workshop – Yauger Community Garden 

• October 19 at 11 a.m.: Pumpkin Carving – Sunrise Community Garden 

• October 26 at 11 a.m.: Pumpkin Carving – Yauger Community Garden 

• November 2 at 11 a.m.: Small Space Planting – Sunrise Community Garden 

• November 9 at 11 a.m.: Small Space Planting – Yauger Community Garden 

• November 16 at 11 a.m.: Garden Bird Houses – Sunrise Community Garden 

• November 23 at 11 a.m.: Garden Bird Houses – Yauger Community Garden 

• November 30 at 11 a.m.: Nature Wind Chime Crafting – Sunrise Community Garden 

• December 7 at 11 a.m.: Nature Wind Chime Crafting – Sunrise Community Garden