COMMUNITY NEWS
Sowing the seeds

Kathy Long is one of the participants with the Live Well Fountain gardening project. More volunteers are needed and welcome. It’s a chance to get out, get involved and enjoy the art of gardening. To find out how you can help call 382-STEP. PHOTO BY LINDA HOBBS

By Linda Hobbs
Live Well Fountain’s gardening program is in full swing, and they want you to join them. On Sat., July 21, members of the Live Well Fountain organization gathered beside the Fountain Fire Department to convert what was a vacant lot to a rich and fertile garden spot. The soil has been prepared and planters built, but there’s still a lot of work to do.

“These are all donated plants,” said Master Gardener and certified Permaculture Designer Becky Elder. “We’re using cardboard for mulch, and eventually, this will be a nice garden and home for
the birds. Birds are welcome in this garden.” Elder explained they won’t use chemicals, which are mostly petroleum based, but will stick with environmentally friendly materials.

The planters have been designed to be wheelchair accessible, to include everyone in the community.

Pikes Peak Permaculture has joined forces with The Solidarity of Hope and the Fountain Fire Dept. to help take care of the gardens. More are planned to be established throughout the Fountain Valley community.

Elder extended thanks to the many businesses and organizations that generously contributed plants and supplies to the effort, including the Fountain Fire Dept., Spencer Gardens, Earthly Energy Werx, Blue Planet Earthscapes, Hillside Gardens, Duane Baker for donating the use of equipment and Sally Miller for the planter logs.

For more information about getting involved call 382-STEP.

CONTACT THE WRITER • linda.hobbs@ftnvalleynews.com