It may have taken summer a while to kick in here in the Pacific Northwest, but as the weather warms up, it’s time to put on those sun hats and go to work in an urban garden. Below, we have some information about a work party at a neighborhood garden you might want to pitch in to help, updates on the two new p-patch projects underway on the Hill and information on a series of classes from Seattle Tilth scheduled for Cal Anderson Park this summer.
All of this comes under a storm cloud or two as City Hall and the Parks Department get ready to roll out their mid-year cuts due to the economic slowdown. We’ll have more on those when they’re announced. Fortunately, your radishes won’t care one way or the other.
12th Ave Community Garden
If you’re not one of the lucky few with a Seattle p-patch plot, you might consider getting involved with a project to put some urban dirt just off 12th Ave to work. Here’s the note about Saturday’s work party from organizer Wesley Kirkman:
Looking for a bed to plant veggies? Want to help cleanup an ivy ridden eyesore in the neighborhood? Photographic Center Northwest has allowed a group of residents in the 12th Avenue neighborhood to repurpose some underutilized land between their parking lot and the 13th Avenue sidewalk. With your help, we will rip out the ivy and weeds and make about a dozen 4’x8′ raised beds.
There will be a work party this Saturday from 11am to 3pm. To find out more or let the organizer know you will be there for the work party, email Wes @ [email protected].
P-patch Progress
The Howell Collective is a community group formed to utilize the gardening area being created as part of the Seven Hills Park project. In a unique effort, the Seattle Parks P-patch program will work with the group to run the site at 16th Ave and Howell. Here’s how the Howell Collective describes the project:
As many of us know, the waitlist for the P-Patch far outweighs the existing community garden space. The densest neighborhood in the city currently hosts only two P-Patch- the Thomas Street P-Patch and another on Roy Street. Much like a p-patch, the Howell Collective Community Garden will be administered by DON P-Patch Program. However, the “collective” model employs a more sustainable and communal responsibility for design and management of the space. Additionally beneficial, “In some densely populated areas, where gardening demand far outstrips available space, it is a good way to maximize community involvement and gardening, “ as Rich MacDonald, P-Patch Program Coordinator, points out. The collective gardening model is increasingly more fiscally sustainable than the p-patch community gardens in that it relies upon the community and interested parties for maintenance and future improvements to the garden, which also lends itself to additional community building.
The Collective’s blog is also a good source of news on the project. Here are details on the decision to remove some sweet gum trees in the area, for example.
Looks like Seven Hills Park is on track for an August opening after a small delay due to some contaminated soil found at the site.
Meanwhile, we reported recently that construction on the Summit and John park and p-patch project has started. Parks has said the new green space should be completed as early as September.
For more on the city’s p-patch program check out http://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/ppatch/
Tilth at Cal Anderson
Throughout July, Seattle Tilth, a non-profit dedicated to inspiring and educating organic urban gardening, will be hosting a number of classes at Cal Anderson Park. The classes are free but do require pre-registration (click on the event for details on how to register).
Seed Starting for Fall and Winter Gardening (July 1st, 5:30 – 7:30pm) – It’s the middle of July, it’s as hot as it gets, are you thinking about your fall and winter garden? Why not! This is the time of year to get thing started so you can be eating fresh veggies to the solstice and beyond. A little planning and effort now will pay off during the dark days of winter. Let the Tilth gardeners show you how to start seeds for the fall and winter garden. Believe us, you’ll be thankful you took the time when you show off your homegrown veggies at that Holiday meal!
Herbal Tea Gardening (July 8th, 5:30 – 7:30pm) – Attention apartment and condo dwellers! Just because you don’t have a patch of ground doesn’t mean you can’t grow fresh, organic herbs for the best cup of tea you’ve ever tasted! Grow your favorite blend of mints, chamomile, lavender, violets, fennel, ginger and more. Come learn how to begin and maintain a container tea garden. Whether you’re growing on your balcony or windowsill, this class will help you get started.
Fall and Winter Veggie Gardening in Containers (July 15th, 5:30 – 7:30pm) – It’s the middle of summer, it’s as hot as it gets, are you thinking about your fall and winter container veggie garden? Why not! This is the time of year to get things started so you can be eating fresh veggies to the solstice and beyond. A little planning and effort now will pay off during the dark days of winter. Let the Tilth gardeners show you how to start seeds and how to squeeze those plants into your overflowing summer container garden. Believe us, you’ll be thankful you took the time when you show off your homegrown veggies at that Holiday meal!
Composting for Apartment Dwellers (July 22nd, 5:30 – 7:30pm) – A workshop for apartment and condo dwellers that have limited space, but want to recycle their food scraps into rich compost. We will address the special needs of small space and indoor food composting and show you how you can make your own indoor compost bin. Come see how easy it is to get started composting in your home.
Container Garden Care and Harvesting (July 29th, 5:30 – 7:30pm) – An in-ground garden has many advantages including habitat for beneficial insects that help control your pest population. If you garden on your balcony or patio, you have a unique set of challenges when it comes to dealing with garden problems. Join us and learn about the specific pests and diseases that target edible container gardens and how to deal with them organically. Plus, the harvest is coming, are you ready? Learn when and how to harvest your vegetables to get the most out of your container garden.
Hat tip to the Rainier Valley Post for Seattle Tilth’s summer schedule.
