A little more than a month since their first meeting, and the Issaquah Flatland Community Garden has become a reality.

Gardeners will dig into their plots at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 30 during the group’s move-in party.

The garden is set up at AtWork!, 690 N.W. Juniper St.

“Many of the gardeners are excited to get started,” said AtWork! CEO Chris Brandt. “If we could have allocated plots yesterday (May 20), they would be planting today.”

Eighteen plots have been assigned to community gardeners and six have been set aside to provide food to the food bank, and as space for AtWork! clients to garden in.

The plots cost $40 per year, and two of the 18 are set aside for a free or reduced rate for low-income people.

All of the work getting the gardening set up is thanks to volunteer efforts, Brandt said.

Community members tilled the ground on their own time, developed all the rules, and sought out all funding.

Many in-kind contributions and donations of fish fertilizer from a Raymond, Wash. company and a truckload of compost also gave the project speed.

But they’re still looking for more help, Brandt said.

Community garden members are looking for hand tools, a wheelbarrow, shovels, rakes, and a shed that is at least 4 feet by 6 feet. They’re also looking for money or materials to build a deer fence around the plots.

Gardeners and supporters alike are excited about seeing the project become a reality.

“It made me feel good that I could contribute something to this project that is so unique,” wrote Jim Brackins, who donated the fish fertilizer, in a letter.