Raised Beds Improve Accessibility in the Garden

Thanks to a generous grant from Northwood Garden Club, eight new raised garden beds have been installed in Blue Heron’s Community Garden.

These raised beds make gardening more accessible for both our youngest and oldest gardeners. Children can more easily see, reach, and interact with the plants, while gardeners with mobility challenges can tend their plots without as much bending or kneeling.

The raised beds also provide an important solution to a recurring challenge. Some of our garden plots were vulnerable to flooding from Nancy Creek. Following flood events, elevated E. coli levels meant gardeners could not safely harvest produce for 48 hours. By raising the planting areas above flood-prone ground, the new beds help protect crops and reduce disruptions to the growing season.

The Community Garden is especially beautiful this time of year, filled with colorful flowers, thriving vegetables, and the hard work of dedicated gardeners. Visitors are always welcome to stroll through and enjoy the gardens. We simply ask that you admire the produce and flowers without picking them—look, learn, and enjoy, but please leave the harvest for the gardeners who have lovingly tended it.

Thank you, Northwood Garden Club, for helping us create a more accessible, resilient, and beautiful Community Garden for everyone.