Step into the back garden at the East House this summer, and you’ll notice something new is growing – vegetables. Housekeepers Zina & Vasili have helped the house grow its first vegetable garden, so that families staying with us can have fresh vegetables during their stay.
Vasili, who also doubles as the house handyman, built the raised beds with wood donated by Parr Lumber. Valleyscapes, a local landscaping firm, donated the soil, which Zina and Vasili have filled with all kinds of tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and cabbage.
Originally from Moldova in Eastern Europe, the two had been unable to garden since moving to Portland. The East House garden gives them a place to work, and the chance to share what they grow with others. Families are welcome to join them, and help them with weeding, watering, and other chores. Zina & Vassili planted the garden in May during Weed & Feed and it has just started to produce the first cucumbers and cabbages the last several weeks. See more photos of the garden on our Flickr page.
Zina and Vasili with cucumbers from the garden.
Planting in May.