In the News

Inside Tilth Alliance’s family camp for little ones

The program began when people sought advice from the Tilth gardening hotline or other educational programs on how to grow plants that were familiar to their families but seldom seen growing locally — bitter melon or amaranth, medicinal herbs like ashwaganda or astralagus.

Every time you spit out a watermelon seed or compost the seeds of an unused bell pepper, you have a choice: to toss or reuse. Many of us have grown accustomed to the first option because we’re not aware of the second. Yet seed saving — collecting seeds from one harvest to plant the next — is both timeless and timely. Now more than ever, it carries profound implications both for individuals and for the planet.

Whether you’re grabbing a pinch of parsley for a garnish or storing a bunch in your freezer, knowing how to properly harvest this herb will guarantee delicious flavor.

If you’re looking to breathe new life into your garden while supporting the ecosystem, it’s time to plant for pollinators.

For some, gardening is a chore, but those who take care of plants tend to have greater hand strength, smaller waists, better balance and eat more fruits and vegetables. They fall less often and walk faster. Caring for even a single houseplant can improve the mental health of isolated seniors.

We spoke to horticulturist Laura Matter, who leads the Natural Yard Care Program and Garden Hotline for Tilth Alliance in Seattle, Washington. Here’s her expert advice on when it’s best to opt for seedlings over seeds.

Organic agriculture gained momentum in the 1960s amid protest movements, but conventional growers at the time viewed it with disdain as “hippie fluff.” Initially, organic growers were small-scale, selling at cooperatives and natural food stores, Dempster said during the recent Tilth Conference.

As a kid on a North Dakota wheat farm, I didn’t imagine that agriculture or organic gardening would hold me in thrall. But when I moved to Seattle for work after college, I saw the mild, green climate, and thoughts of growth just sprouted.

This week, Nov. 14–16, the Tilth Alliance is celebrating its 50th anniversary at a conference in Vancouver. Tilth may not be well known across Northwest Washington by name, but the community impacts the organization has cultivated are notable and familiar.