Healthy Gardening
Information provided here will help with safer gardening practices that also benefit our community's air and water quality, and connect you with opportunities for community gardening in Thurston County.
Protect your health and the health of our community with Common Sense Gardening practices. Chemicals used in your yard and garden can end up in our bodies and in our community’s drinking water, lakes, rivers, streams, and Puget Sound.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services provides a list of community gardens in Thurston County. These gardens are open to the public to join and provide opportunities to grow fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Common Sense Gardening
Build healthy soil:
- Use compost and organic, slow-release fertilizer for healthy soil. Apply mulch to help prevent weeds and conserve water.
- Plan before you plant.
- Plant right for your site depending on how much sun, water, and attention the plant will need in the desired location.
Practice smart watering:
- Water deeply and less frequently. Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to deliver water right to the plant roots.
- Water in the mornings or evenings to prevent evaporation.
- Check to make sure that automatic irrigation systems are set up for the yard that you currently have. They are often programmed for brand new plantings. As plants mature, they need more water, less often.
Prevent problems before they start:
- Grow Smart, Grow Safe techniques emphasize the prevention of common pests and weeds. When you do have a problem, think twice before using pesticides. To choose the safest products check out the Grow Smart, Grow Safe website.
- Practice natural lawn care.
Inexpensive, time-saving, and practical tips for creating a healthy living space!
- City of Olympia’s Natural Yard Care
- Composting Resources
- Grow Smart, Grow Safe
- Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Fact Sheets
- Puget Sound Starts Here
- Thurston County Master Gardeners
- WA Poison Control Poisonous and Non-Poisonous Plant List
- Natural Yard Care
- Rain Garden Handbook for Western Washington
- Pesticides & Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
For more information:
Contact our Healthy Home and Yard Program for more information at healthyhomes@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2674 if you have additional questions.
Thurston County Community Gardens
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services works with local partners to increase access to healthy foods throughout the county. Community gardens increase access to and availability of healthy food. Eating healthy which includes a variety of fruits and vegetables helps prevent, delay, and manage many chronic diseases (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). For information on a healthy diet which includes fruits and vegetables please visit: My Plate.gov
The community gardens included here meet the definition of a collaborative, shared, open space that is accessible to residents of the local community who are the gardeners. These gardeners agree to share in the maintenance (plant, tend, harvest, etc.) and products of the garden, which include healthful and affordable fresh fruits and vegetables.
Thurston County Public Health and Social Services worked with community partners during 2011 – 2014 to establish four (4) new community gardens in Thurston County. There are currently twelve (12) community gardens in Thurston County.
“Our community gardens are great spaces for first-time and life-time gardeners to socialize. We encourage our gardeners to use each other as gardening resources. We want the community gardens to not only be a space to grow produce, but an institution for education in gardening and community involvement.” – Luke Burns, City of Olympia Recreation Supervisor for Sunrise Park and Yauger Park community gardens
St. Mark Community Garden - St. Mark Lutheran Church
Address: 2109 College Street SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Organization: St. Mark Lutheran Church
Number of Plots: 46
Membership Fee: $25 refundable deposit, if 10 hours of labor is given to our Thurston County Food Bank Garden (2018)
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (k-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: No
Contact: 360-870-6267
gatofrare@comcast.net
The GraceWorks Church Community Garden - The GraceWorks Church
Address: 7945 Steilacoom Road SE, Lacey, WA 98503
Organization: The GraceWorks Church
Number of Plots: 12
Membership Fee: $10 per bed (for up to two beds) / year
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: info@thegraceworks.com
Capital Vision Community Garden - Capital Vision Christian Church
Address: 1775 Yew Avenue NE, Olympia, WA 98506
Organization: Capital Vision Christian Church
Number of Plots: 50 on 1 acre (variety of garden sizes, raised beds and in-ground gardens available)
Membership Fee: $80 per year
Share in community area includes: Harvest, hoophouse, multiple water sites, locked chain link fence for security, locked tool shed for community gardeners use, gazebo for gatherings and workshops, outdoor weddings venue, and has a dog park next door.
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: Rene
360-791-6808 or renecvcc@gmail.com
Online Information: Capital Vision Christian Church Facebook page
The Garden of Weedin’ - Westminster Presbyterian Church
Address: 1925 Boulevard Road SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Organization: Westminster Presbyterian Church
Number of Plots: 23
Membership Fee: $60 for a full bed (20’ x 4’) or $30 for half that size. In addition, all gardeners must donate 10% of product to Thurston County Food Bank (as of 2022)
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: 360-259-0283 or Susanakin@comcast.net
Online Information: The Garden of Weedin’ Facebook page
Olympia Community Garden - Sustainable South Sound
Address: 1405 13th Avenue SE, Olympia, WA 98501
Organization: Sustainable South Sound
Number of Plots: 23, a mix of 10x20 and 20x20
Membership Fee: 10x20: $45, 20x20: $85 (as of 2022)
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes (limited)
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: olycommunitygarden@gmail.com
“As community gardeners we seek to work both independently and together to grow food, learn about gardening, and create community within our garden.” – Community gardener
Evergreen Community Gardens - The Evergreen State College
Address: 2712 Lewis Road NW, Olympia, WA 98502
Organization: The Evergreen State College
Number of Plots: 50-70
Membership Fee: $10 per year for faculty and Alumni, $20 per year for community members, FREE for enrolled students (as of 2018)
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): No
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: tesccommunitygardens@gmail.com
Online Information: Evergreen Community Gardens
Note: There is a Harvest Festival at the Organic Farm (next to the community garden) each October.
Sunrise Park Community Garden - Olympia Parks, Arts, & Recreation
Address: 505 Bing Street NW, Olympia, WA 98502
Organization: Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
Number of Plots: 55
Membership Fee: $35 per year regular plot; $19 per year ADA plot (smaller); $8.75 per year scholarship (as of 2023)
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes (and bike parking on playground)
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: Luke Burns, Recreation Supervisor
360-570-5857
lburns@ci.olympia.wa.us
Online Information: Sunrise Park Community Garden
Yauger Park Community Garden - Olympia Parks, Arts, & Recreation
Address: 530 Alta Street SW, Olympia, WA 98502
Organization: Olympia Parks, Arts & Recreation
Number of Plots: 80
Membership Fee: $35 per year regular plot; $19 per year ADA plot (smaller); $8.75 per year scholarship (as of 2023)
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: Luke Burns, Recreation Supervisor
360-570-5857
lburns@ci.olympia.wa.us
Online Information: Yauger Park Community Garden
Rainier Community Garden - Rainier FFA Organization
The Rainier Community Garden is always looking for new participants and support. This is a great opportunity if you are interested in learning to garden, don't have gardening space of your own, or just want to give back to the community. It’s FREE to participate!
Purpose: To bring the Rainier community and surrounding areas together and provide educational gardening opportunities for everyone while growing fresh food and impacting local hunger issues.
People Served: We garden as a collective group and donate a majority to the Rainier Emergency Food Center, our local food bank. Over the past five years, an average of 77% of the produce harvested has been donated to The Rainier Emergency Food Center which serves 200 families on a weekly basis and 2,100 individuals per month. The other 23% has been taken home by our volunteers who come to help during work parties. We have on average about 7-10 community volunteers who come to work parties or events.
Address: Rainier High School, 308 2nd Street W, Rainier, WA 98576
Membership Fee: No
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: No
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: Angie Karnes, Garden Manager
360-561-0990
karnesa@rainier.wednet.edu
Tenino FFA Community Garden - Tenino FFA Organization
Address: 500 W 2nd Street, Tenino, WA 98589
Organization: Tenino FFA Organization
Number of Plots: 15
Membership Fee: No (as of 2018)
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Rural Transportation Line
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact:
Geraldine: maxfield@tenino.k12.wa.us
Sally: 360-349-3635 or sallya@scattercreek.com
“This place was created to cultivate not only a garden, but also a community. It has done every bit of that!” - S. Alhadeff, garden coordinator
Gayle’s Garden - Tumwater United Methodist Church
Address: 1401 Lake Park Drive SW, Tumwater, WA 98512
Organization: Tumwater United Methodist Church
Number of Plots: 16
Membership Fee: $20, refundable
Membership Application: Tumwater Community Garden Application
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): No
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: Yes
Contact: tumwatergarden@gmail.com
Yelm Community Garden - Bounty for Families
Address: 301 2nd Street SE, Yelm, WA 98597
Organization: Bounty for Families
Number of Plots: 9
Membership Fee: No
Organic Practices Followed: Yes
Near a School (K-12): Yes
Near a Bus Line: Yes
Parking Available: Yes
Fencing Around Garden: No
Contact:
360-878-6167
hess.brian.g@gmail.com
Contact our Education and Prevention program for more information at healthyhomes@co.thurston.wa.us or call 360-867-2674 if you have additional questions.
DISCLAIMER: You are hereby notified that Thurston County does not oversee or maintain these gardens. Participants in the program assume all risk of injury and loss due to allergies or any other ailment/condition/injury incurred from participation in the community gardens.