Shorewood High School Culinary Arts Garden - food for thought

 Students and Master Gardeners work in the Shorewood Culinary Arts garden.  

Photo by Elspeth Payton.

By Beth Donnellan, Master Gardener

The Shorewood High School Culinary Arts Garden is located at the southwest corner of Shorewood High School on Fremont Ave N and NW 170th St. The garden is developed and managed by the King County Master Gardener Foundation in conjunction with the Washington State University Extension Program.

The mission of the Shorewood High School Culinary Arts Garden is to inspire and teach the students of the Culinary Arts classes where and how the food they use in their classroom is produced, and to mentor them in becoming good stewards of their environment. The garden is also being developed as a demonstration garden for the community as well.

King County Master Gardeners were asked to help with the garden in 2007. In cooperation with the head of the program and instructor, Mrs. Diana Dillard, the Master Gardeners work with the students to grow herbs and vegetables. We also give mini lectures on various horticultural techniques such as planting methods, propagating, pruning and composting.

Photo by Elspeth Payton

The garden is expanding to an area between the parking lot and the public sidewalk. We are building raised beds with donated lumber so that more vegetables can be grown. The existing garden is too shaded to grow many vegetables well. This new area will be in full sun and we will grow a great deal more produce. Since this is an organic garden, we are adding a wildlife habitat to bring in pollinators and birds to help with better crops and pest control.

Community members are invited to stop by and see the Garden. If the Master Gardeners are at the garden when you come by we can answer your gardening questions as well.

Cooking classes are being planned for participation by members of the community during the summer when school is not in session. For more information call Elspeth Payton at 206-854-0993 or email her.

See previous article: Summer Adult Culinary Arts Classes