During the summer, SHA Youth Engagement Specialist Ty Edwards and the Youth Leadership Board started a new gardening project at NewHolly. The garden is  filled with peppers, zucchini, cucumbers, kale and other vegetables.  

Due to the stay-at-home orders, the teens got creative and thought of starting a garden in their community as an activity they could do while maintaining social distance.   

"I wanted to try something new and have a new hobby that allowed me to be outdoors," said Daimon, one of the teens that serves on the Youth Leadership Board.  

After researching what they wanted to grow and looking at other gardens around the community, they were ready to start their own.   

The teens found that there's some trial and error when it comes to starting a new garden. For example, they discovered that being on a consistent schedule helps them tend to their vegetables.   

"Gardening has helped me get on a better sleeping schedule to wake up early so I can water my plants. Now, I surround my sleep schedule with how I go about my day," said Youth Leadership Board member, Alan. “Sleep affects everything that you do throughout the day, so I use that in my school and personal life.”  

In learning how to garden, the teens also learned about developing a sustainable community by promoting local food sources. The youth garden has given them the ability to donate produce through food drives at NewHolly. 

"The people in the community are very giving, and to be somebody to contributes is nice," said Alan. "It was also a great contribution to my family, and it was nice to buy less from the grocery store."   

Daimon's goal for his garden was to help his family by producing fresh vegetables for meals.

"My mom was so happy when I brought home vegetables. It was a great feeling for me, and I'm happy that I can help," said Daimon.

Besides learning how to garden, the teens also learned a life lesson about being aware of their surroundings.

"It's more about looking at your surroundings as the negatives and the positives and focusing on the use of time and the people that you are around," said Ty.

The teens plan to purchase a greenhouse and have plans to expand the youth garden as a year-round project. For more information about the youth garden, you can email Ty Edwards at ty.edwards@seattlehousing.org.