Twin Owls Community Garden

Twin Owls Community Garden is located near a hilltop in the Glenrose Hills of South Eastern Spokane. The garden, created from an open meadow in 2005, nestled within a ponderosa pine forest, was first planted in 2006. It overlooks the City of Spokane and has a clear view Westward towards the wheat plateau of the Northern Palouse. Twin Owls is named for the resident Great Horned owls who patrol the garden for pocket gophers as they perch atop the 8 ft.-tall cedar posts of the surrounding deer fence.

The garden consists of a dozen 4 ft.-wide terraced beds varying in length from 12 ft. to 77 ft. (upwards of 3000 sq. ft. total growing area) as well as a new orchard made up of almost 20 young trees (planted in the spring of 2006). By spring of 2007, the garden will also feature a 16 ft. by 16 ft. hoophouse greenhouse for starting plants and season extension.

Twin Owls has incredible solar exposure and is blessed to receive every last minute of summer afternoon sun. This facilitates rapid plant growth and allows for multiple succession plantings. The location also seems to be very sheltered from frost since on October 21 of the 2006 season our melons, pole beans and tomatoes were untouched and thriving while most Spokane gardens were but fond memories after multiple frosts.

Twin Owls is experimenting with a structure where, instead of individual plots of growing area, our community of gardeners tends the garden as a whole, similar to the old concept of "The Commons". Gardeners work as their schedules permit and can harvest freely to meet their personal needs.

We are seeking volunteers who would like to grow vegetables on this large, new organic community garden (hosted at a private residence approx. 20 minutes from downtown Spokane). Those interested need to make a commitment to working cooperatively with the group, tending the garden for the full season and to following the guidance of the garden coordinator. Participants will be free to harvest for their own family's use. Donations to those in need and/or produce sales might occur if surplus exists (with sales proceeds accruing to a garden fund).

Gardening experience is not required. If you are interested, please contact the garden coordinator to schedule an interview:

Directions to Twin Owls Community Garden:

Head East on 37th Ave.

Go all the way to the foot of the Glenrose Hills. Here 37th swings to the right, goes South about 3/4 mile and then swings left again.

At this point you're on 44th Ave. headed East again. Look for Thierman Rd. on your left. Take Thierman about half a mile and look for the open house signs.

Twin Owls Community Garden
Chrys Ostrander: Garden Coordinator
chrys@thefutureisorganic.net