The Hive Durango is finishing up “The Hive Hideout,” a community gardening space for youths and community members to get their hands dirty and connect with nature in a realistic and a metaphorical way.

Jeff Hamner, programs director and co-founder of The Hive, said the garden is beneficial not only for its resources but also for personal growth. Hamner said the same processes used in gardening can be a metaphor for self growth. Making sure to take care of yourself and nurture yourself so you can bloom into something beautiful, he said.

“I think watching things change just inspires change within self, too, and no matter how good you are or how bad you have it, improvement is always possible,” he said. “There’s always a means of making things better for yourself and your community. ... This project is a physical representation of the utilization of space, and I’m psyched to get some ‘HIVE Chives’ growing.”

The Hive at 1150 Main Ave. is a local nonprofit that aims to “provide an inclusive, brave space for youths and community members to develop and discover their true selves by providing passion-based exploration through creative expression, mentorship and leadership opportunities,” according its website.

The Hive Hideout will have a large selection of plants and vegetables including chives, peas, yarrow, sunflowers, marigolds, watermelon, cucumbers, lemon cucumbers, tomatoes, kale, lettuce, radishes, strawberries, perennials, carrots, squash, corn, beans and bulbs. Hopes of opening Friday are high, Hamner said.

Animas High School junior Cedar Fisher has been a big part of the project. He is responsible for the big mural of an octopus that sits on the back wall weaving between garden beds and seating areas. Fisher is excited to be able to enjoy his hard work and see the physical growth within The Hive Hideout.

Fisher said about 95% of The Hive Hideout is constructed out of recycled materials including broken pieces of SkateLite and wood from the scrapyard. Upcycling is one of the main reasons The Hive mentors are able to bring their ideas to life, and the garden is a good example of that.

“We put in all these plants and I’m making these murals and in a few months I can come back and look at the mural while I’m eating the plants,” Fisher said.

While The Hive is raising garden beds, plants and youths, it is also raising money at an Animas High School student-led open mic night and silent auction from 7-9 p.m. Friday the Hive.

Niko Peterson is an intern at The Durango Herald. He is a junior at Animas High School.