Tucked away about a mile south of Vashon’s town center is Dig Deep, a new garden and event space that strives to create community and give back, all while having plants and art being central to the business’ mission.

Julie Jacobson, the owner of Dig Deep, acquired the property in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic and opened her business for most weekends in May of 2021.

For Jacobson, Dig Deep has plants and art at its core and provides the island community with a space for a variety of events—be it workshops, birthday parties, weddings or concerts.

“We are gearing up. We’ve been testing the waters, and we’ve got some big plans,” said Tami Stone, Dig Deep’s event manager. “We want to start being open more, and have events….what we want to do is bring the community together.”

Jacobson also has a strong desire to give back through Dig Deep, both locally and globally. In addition to working at Dig Deep, Jacobson is also a managing partner at Bridges to Development, a nonprofit that works to improve the economic and social well-being of women and girls.

While part of Dig Deep’s proceeds will go towards Bridges to Development, proceeds will also be distributed to local nonprofits as well. Dig Deep also maintains a “giving garden” on-site, where they hope to demonstrate how to grow food and work with school groups in the future.

Dig Deep stands on the site of Dig Nursery, an award-winning destination nursery, owned by Sylvia Matlock and Ross Johnson, which was in business for more than 24 years. Dig Nursery raised a variety of plants including local trees, orchids, succulents and cacti.

Going forward, Jacobson wanted to honor the past owners of the property and their legacy, even naming the business “Dig Deep.”

“We wanted to make it go to the next level, so hence ‘Dig Deep,’” said Jacobson. “Which really brings us into digging deep into your heart, into your mind, into your spirit and digging deep into the earth, and having all of those things be part of what we do in different ways here.”

Jacobson and Stone plan to host events onsite such as a “Dogs and Drinks” night once a week, and a nonprofit night where nonprofits come to discuss their work and have a “learning and sharing experience.”

Stone hopes that events can also expand at Dig Deep to allow for salon events where islanders can gather and discuss a variety of topics and ideas.

“When people get together with an open mind and an open heart a lot can happen,” said Stone.

Dig Deep’s staff includes Nursery and Gardens Manager Jan Pagel, who will be able to assist visitors with garden design, as well as information on sourcing specialty plants. The property also includes a stage for performers and a gift shop, managed by Gallery and Shop Manager Jon Jon Harvey, which is filled with art from local and global artists.

Dig Deep will also host artist Pam Ingalls on-site as well as other artists in the near future.

“We just lost so much community in this time of COVID, and it’s just that craving to be together and have an open, safe beautiful space,” said Jacobson.

One of the ways Dig Deep is opening its space up to the community is through its first-ever Spring Fling event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, March 26 and 27.

Several vendors will be onsite to assist islanders to help “get your garden glowing,” said Stone. On both days, Barb Gustafson will lead a basket weaving workshop. On Sunday, Emily Macrea will give a grafting demonstration. Vashon’s Tool Library will also be present at the event.

Musician Steve Itterly will perform on Sunday at 2:30 p.m. Itterly, a Colorado-based singer-songwriter, won the 2016 Telluride Blues & Brews Festival and is known for his strong vocals and slide guitar.

Dig Deep’s bar will be open, and local food truck Orca Eats will be on-site both days as well.

Jacobson sees the Spring Fling as Dig Deep’s grand opening event, more than anything that the business had done since 2021.

“The Spring Fling is perfect because it’s about celebration, growth, stepping into a new time, and that’s exactly what we’re doing,” said Jacobson.

Note: For more information about Dig Deep or their Spring Fling event, visit digdeepgardens.com.