Community Greenhouse Seeks Seedling Nurturers

If you’ve got the itch to get your hands in the dirt, the Wallingford greenhouse, aka “A Growing Community,” could use your help!

You might remember that last summer, we featured Wallingford resident Cyrus Appell, who has donated the use of his backyard greenhouse to the greater good for the past five years. Thanks to the time donated by dozens of volunteers, thousands of seedlings have been distributed to giving gardens throughout Seattle. At harvest time, the fruits (and veggies) of their labors are shared with food banks to help provide organic, local produce for those who otherwise might not be able to afford it.

Want to join this group of neighbors in tending seedlings for the hungry? The commitment is small – approximately one hour a week from March through June. And you don’t even have to know how to germinate seedlings – they will train you! Seed starting workshops will be held on Saturday, February 16 at 2pm at the Ballard Greenhouse and on Saturday, February 23 at 10am at Solid Ground.

If you already have some growing experience, you can help out as a daily manager – coordinating volunteers and determining the growing schedule. And if you have a vehicle, drivers are needed to move the plant starts to Interbay for distribution later in the spring.

Volunteer coordinator Abby invites anyone interested in learning more to contact her at [email protected]. If you have a preferred day to tend seedlings, let her know that too! Attendance at a seed starting workshop is encouraged but not mandatory.

As the greenhouse volunteers say, what could be better than “digging in the dirt in a beautiful setting, learning about gardening, meeting your neighbors and knowing that because of your work, people will be eating healthier this summer?”