This work party had a great turnout - volunteers representing the diversity of the Sabin Community came to work on improving the Sabin Edible Gardens, despite the blustery weather!

In 3 hours, the berms were more generously mulched with leaves delivered by PPS facilities, protecting this summer’s garlic crop and herbaceous natives and perennials. A woodier mulch delivered by local landscaping companies was spread on the pathways of the garden, to ensure moisture retention and weed suppression this spring and summer. Raspberries and herbs were mulched with Teufel organic compost.

Four side-by-side compost bins were constructed with pallets recycled from local business Bardy Trophy, and hot compost piles are in the works. In a few short months when spring arrives, this homemade compost will do wonders for our garden.  A hand-made worm bin donation was delivered, and filled with red wriggler worms from a Sabin worm-farming family. These worms will now take all of the compostable scraps from SUN’s after-school snacks and turn it into vermicompost gold! Students at Sabin now have the opportunity to learn hands-on lessons about biology and using nature’s elegant nutrient cycling techniques to our advantage with these compost demonstrations.

Volunteers welcomed hot coffee and tasty pastries donated by the Fremont Grand Central Bakery. Extra gardening tools were borrowed from the Northeast Portland Tool Library. The work party wrapped up just before snowflakes began to fall.

Thanks to the neighbors, parents, organizations and businesses who helped make this day a success!

For gardens, a compost bin is a thing of beauty

For gardens, a compost bin is a thing of beauty