WSU Whatcom County Extension – Free Diagnostic Plant Clinic
Bring sections of diseased plants or pest problems in closed plastic bags for diagnosis and advice.
M-F, 9am-Noon & 1-4pm • 600 Dupont Street, Suite A, Bellingham, WA 98225 • (360) 778-5811 • mg.whatcom@wsu.edu
Fruit Handbook for Western Washington
Raised Bed Gardening
– WSU Raised Bed Fact Sheet
– Building a Raised Bed – Video
Pest Control in Home Vegetable Gardens
Bellingham Food Bank – Garden Project Growing Guide
General Information on Community Gardening
American Community Gardening Association
Seattle’s Pea Patch Gardens Program
Portland, Oregon Community Gardens Program
Vancouver, B.C. demonstration garden
Municipal Research and Services Center of Washington
University of Maine cooperative Extension Bulletin # 4300
“Organizing Your Community Garden”
Enterprise Foundation’s Neighborhood Green Guide for Community-Based Organization
National Gardening Association
Funding Resources and Information
Possible funding sources for the materials and labor needed to set up your community garden space are linked below. Some local sources are also available. Check into the following:
Neighborhood Associations
Post the list of materials and special skills needed to develop your garden space in printed and electronic versions of your neighborhood newsletter, and on your neighborhood website, along with a request for donations of those materials and skilled and non-skilled labor.
Local Businesses
Write a letter requesting specific donations along with a one-page description of the project to present to local businesses. You can request a full or partial (wholesale cost) donation of materials or a small monetary donation. Be sure to have a method to publicly thank the businesses such as a neighborhood newsletter article, a sign posted at the community garden, and/or thank you ads posted on the neighborhood website.
National or Regional Corporations
Local branches of large corporations have established “Giving Programs.” These include the Cherry Point industries, Costco, Walmart and other commercial stores. Once or twice a year they accept requests for monetary assistance for community projects. Contact each corporation for specific information on their schedule and the format and detail of information you need to provide. These companies also appreciate recognition for their donations.
Whatcom Community Foundation is a public charitable organization created to enrich the quality of life for all residents of Whatcom County, Washington. WCF is both a grantmaker and a vehicle for donors to accomplish their philanthropic dreams.
World Hunger Year Food Security Learning Center
The National Gardening Association awards grants to schools and community organizations with child-centered garden programs. This site offers details about various awards.
The Foundation Directory includes corporate and private foundations that give grants.
US Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant: The Community Development Block Grant program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs.
USDA Community Foods Project Grants is a program to fight food insecurity through developing community food projects that help promote the self-sufficiency of low-income communities.
USEPA Environmental Justice Small Grants Program: the purpose of this grant program is to support and empower communities that are working on local solutions to local environmental and/or public health issues.
Contact Information
For more information, contact Beth Chisholm, CFG Coordinator, at: beth.chisholm@wsu.edu
Cultivating plants, people and communities since 1973.
Program Contact:
Beth Chisholm, Program Coordinator
(360) 778-5811
beth.chisholm@wsu.edu
Helpful Resources:
- Tomato Varieties
- Growing Tomatoes WSU Factsheet
- Growing Dahlias
- Important Gardening Links
- Soil Testing for Home Gardeners
- Soil Tests – Locally
- Master Gardeners Program
- Master Gardener Foundation
- Community Gardens
- Composting & Recycling
Upcoming Events:
Due to the COVID-19 outbreak, some events may be postponed or cancelled.
Hovander Demonstration Gardens Brochure