Tag Archives: gardening

CHS Pics | E Madison performance a start to community garden outside Capitol Hill 7-11?

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IMG_7131Before Friday’s snowy morning, there was another peculiar sight along E Madison.

Thursday night, a group — who tells CHS they plan to turn the parking strip adjacent the E Madison 7-11 into a community garden — gathered with a jury-rigged speaker and lighting set-up to dance and turn the soil in one of the more unique performances set to Chopin’s Nocturnes you might ever witness.

CHS stopped by to see the show. We’ll be checking in on the garden project as it progresses and look forward to Chopin up some freshly grown E Madison vegetables. Happy Solstice!

You’ll definitely dig what’s happening in that area shortly. CHS reported earlier this year on a project to dig up and swap out the massive fuel tanks under the 7-11 property. We’re told that project is slated to begin next month.

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The future of rooftop agriculture above Capitol Hill?

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Microsoft PowerPoint - ScottT.pptIf you’re a fan of urban agriculture, urban design, or just enjoy a bit of urban futurism, check out these decidedly fictitious plans for a roof top farm in Capitol Hill.

Architects at Weber Thompson dreamed up the commercial sized hydroponic farm as a submission to the Seattle Architecture Foundation’s 16th Annual Exhibit, WORLD CITY. The prototype farm is designed to sit on top of the future Pike Mortorworks building, also designed by Weber Thompson.

Here’s what Weber Thompson has to say about their design:

In our exploratory design models, the Pike Motorworks building, which contains retail and residential space, is given an unexpected twist in which the rooftop becomes a hydroponic commercial urban farm installation. Instead of consuming, the building actually ends up contributing, in the form of fresh produce for the occupants, the neighbors, and the city. As our urban centers grow, so too will our need for access to fresh food, which is why we believe that urban agriculture is a viable solution for creating vibrant, self-sustaining cities that fit within and support their global community.

Microsoft PowerPoint - ScottT.pptEven without an urban farm, Pike Motorworks is one of the most ambitious projects planned in Pike/Pine and just got a re-start after developers at the Wolff Company put the project on hold earlier this year. The massive seven-story, 260-unit mixed-use apartment project at Harvard and Pike will transform a former BMW dealership into housing, restaurants and shops.

A representative from Wolff confirmed the farm designs are not part of the actual building plans. However, the real plans do call for rooftop gardens. We’re thinking the more ambitious Weber Thompson plans might be worthy of consideration.

You can learn more about the prototype by attending the SAF’s annual exhibit on Sept. 19th.

National community gardening conference — including a Capitol Hill tour — comes to Seattle

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Seattle Central rooftop flower - (SGS)

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].