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Organic Garden group hosts work party

Published 1:30 am Wednesday, April 12, 2023

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Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Twenty-five plot-holders and volunteers worked together to tidy up the Community Organic Gardens of Sequim (COGS) on April 1. The garden is a popular spot for locals and visitors to see as it grows through the spring, summer and fall.
Sequim Gazette photo by Matthew Nash/ Gardeners Jeff Balzarini and Jill Rochna work on a portion of the Community Organic Gardens of Sequim on April 1. They plan to grow an array of items in their separate plots, from sesame seeds to green onions to peas to strawberries to cucumbers.

There was no fooling around on April Fool’s Day at the Community Organic Gardens of Sequim (COGS) — just hard work prepping for the spring and summer.

Twenty-five plot-holders and volunteers tidied up during a two-hour work party behind St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, off the northwest corner of Fir Street and North Fifth Avenue, on April 1.

It’s the 16th year for the garden started as an idea by Sequim educator Linda Dolan and students from Sequim High School’s Ecology Club to create a community garden and preserve local farmland.

Veggies, fruits, flowers and more fill the space in the coming months throughout 27 plots and 16 raised beds.

“The soil here is fantastic,” gardener Jinx Bryant said. “What you grow here, grows luxuriously.”

As a popular hot-spot for visitors and locals to gather and admire, gardener Liz Harper said, “(gardeners) wouldn’t come here and do what they do if they didn’t love it.”

“A lot of people who have been here a long time, have a lot invested in it,” she said.

Jill Rochna, a fellow gardener, said “there’s such camaraderie. People have gardens at home and still come here.”

The garden features gardeners of all ages and abilities, including a spot recently reserved by Cub Scout Pack 4490 with children ages 5-10 to learn about gardening.

One plot remains open, and those wanting to be put on the waiting list are asked to call Harper at 360-477-4881.

Fees are $45 a year for a bed or plot, including water, tools, compost and soil.

Garden organizers will host a celebration of life for COGS co-founder Pam Larsen in August.