Foster-Powell Community Garden survives cold and snowy winter

Published 12:00 am Friday, March 31, 2017

We’ve told you before about the development, in the Foster-Powell neighborhood, of an unusual Foster-Powell Community Garden that’s constructed entirely on top of a paved parking lot — site of a former gas station — on S.E. Powell Boulevard at 62nd.

The garden overwintered well, and its first work party of the year, on February 25, drew over a dozen volunteers before noon. Founder Vicki Wilson quickly organized clean-up tasks while announcing, “Thank you all for coming — it was snowing here earlier this morning!”

Volunteers cleared trash and old growth from the twenty raised beds, cleaned out the work shed, and spread wood chips along the paths. The first fruit trees — a persimmon, a pawpaw, and two dwarf plum trees — were planted among the beds, along with grape and kiwi vines, and two blueberry bushes.

“A new Asian pear tree is coming soon, and we’re hoping to donate excess fruit and vegetables to the food pantry at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church at S.E. 54th and Powell Boulevard,” remarked Wilson. An on-site donation plot near the entry gate was also set aside for extra garden produce for fellow gardeners.

Garden helpers admired the new picnic table in the covered meeting area, as well as the nearby laminated poster illustrating native and invasive plants. “We’re getting the native plants labeled with wooden stakes today,” explained Wilson. “Coffee and bagels for the volunteers were provided by Henry Higgins Boiled Bagels at S.E. 64th and Foster Road.”

She pointed to the new fixtures on the two 2,500-gallon cisterns which supply water to the garden. “During the winter, the valves broke on both cisterns, and we lost our stored water; but we now have new hand-pumps with gravity feed faucets that should be more efficient.”

The distinctive elliptical front gate was removed for refurbishing, and plans were made to continue the picket fence along the S.E. 62nd Avenue side of the garden — possibly enhanced with lighting. “We’re coming along nicely with a new garden committee and an annual printed schedule,” said Wilson with a smile.

She was pleased with the extra volunteer support, since she’s also working on a ceramic wall art installation that’s scheduled for March 18 at the National Council of Education for Ceramic Arts. Wilson’s leadership at the Foster-Powell Community Garden has provided the impetus for new gardening opportunities where both food and friendships are being raised, along with community pride.