Bringing organic gardening to an apartment near you

The city of Seattle is co-sponsoring a series of organic gardening workshops this summer for people living in apartments downtown.

The series, put on by Seattle Tilth, specifically will teach Seattleites how to grow their own organic food in their apartments.

“Container gardens are so versatile you can grow your own food on a roof, driveway, balcony, or even inside a windowsill,” says Seattle Tilth educator Carey Thornton.

The classes each focus on a different topic. Some classes will teach basic gardening like how to plant herbs, salad greens, summer vegetables, and winter greens in space-saving containers.

More advanced classes teach transplanting techniques, as well as garden maintenance and composting.

“For us, this series of classes is really about inspiring folks that live and work in the greater downtown area to grow a little bit of their own food. At Seattle Tilth, we love to teach people how to grow food organically – no matter what kind of space or living situation you have,” says Thornton.

Seattle Tilth has offered classes through the Seattle Parks and Recreation Department since 2008. They have also partnered with businesses and neighborhood associations to offer classes in the past.

This year Cedar Grove Compost and the Jim Ellis Freeway Park Association are co-sponsoring some of the classes.

Carey Thornton says the city was looking for summer activities that would be inspiring, healthy, and would encourage people to make use of the city’s many parks.

“They [classes] have been very successful and each year we see more and more people coming into the parks to learn about growing food and composting at home,” says Thornton.

Volunteers with Seattle Tilth are showing people that it’s easy to grow food in apartments. Even though there’s limited space, there are many strategies savvy gardeners use to help apartment gardens thrive.

“Growing inside your apartment can be more limiting but most salad greens and many culinary herbs and edible flowers will be successful in a sunny window,” says Thornton, “All it takes is a little know-how and we’ll give you all the tips and tricks you need to know to reap a great harvest!”

Thornton says that even just growing herbs and spices or salad greens in an apartment can make a big impact. Many believe locally sourced food to be healthier – and better for the environment.

“You are reclaiming your food system and re-discovering your heritage. You are becoming closer to the world around you and gaining appreciation for all of the food you eat,” says Thornton.