A hidden Capitol Hill garden on Seattle Central’s rooftop — not on the tour! (SGS)

The annual meeting of the American Community Gardening Association comes to Seattle this August and at least one component will be of interest to Capitol Hill residents with hardcore green thumbs.

Running from August 8 to 11, the conference hosted at the University of Washington will cover workshops from environmental justice to city livestock. A keynote speaker will open the event on Friday followed with a lunch, as well as workshops. This will run you $75, – a good chunk of gardening supplies – but all tours cost $40 if you’re looking to save some cash – also, include lunch and transportation. Most will be on Saturday.

The tours will take you from “Historic Farm and Innovative Spaces” to peddling along on a bicycle. One tour will take you on a scavenger hunt for plants winding through Capitol Hill to downtown:

Walking Scavenger Hunt

This interactive tour will lead participants on a journey through Seattle’s urban community gardens to the iconic Pike Place Market.

We will provide clues for a scavenger hunt that will help you to learn more about amazing community gardening connections to the larger social and physical landscape.

This tour will be conducted on foot and public transportation, so please keep that in mind when signing up.

Tour limited to 20 people.

Bus from University of Washington to Capitol Hill neighborhood
Thomas Street Gardens (1010 E Thomas)
Broadway Hill Townships Federal Ave. E & E Republican
Howell Collective (1514 E Howell St)
Unpaving Paradise (200 Summit Ave. E)
Cascade (310 Minor Ave. N)
Belltown and Growing Vine (Elliott Ave. and Vine St.)
Pike Place Market (1st Ave. & Pike St.)
Bus back to University District

Registration can be completed online for attendees. Part of a City of Seattle release outlines the three day conference of plant lovers:

• Friday – Keynote speaker, lunch, and workshops from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. for $75
• Friday night – Gala Dinner and Silent Auction for $85
• Saturday – Workshops from 8 a.m. to 12 noon for $40
• Saturday and Sunday – Workshops, tours, and closing panel from 8 a.m. – 12 noon for $80.
Workshops are conducted by experts in urban agriculture, community gardening, and associated topics. Topic sessions include:
• Horticulture, permaculture, and city livestock
• Garden/farm to table to compost to garden/farm
• Health, prevention and therapy
• Cultural, social, and environmental justice
To learn more about each day’s activities, view the conference schedule and register here for the a la carte sessions. The conference will be held at University of Washington’s Gould Hall (3949 15th Ave NE).
The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods P-Patch Community Gardening Program is a host of the ACGA Conference. For more information on the workshops and tours, contact Sandy Pernitz at [email protected].