From the category archives:

Urban Farmer

New P-Patch Coming to Othello Area

November 27, 2011

in Arts/Living,Urban Farmer,Volunteering

NEW HOLLY – There’s  a new community garden sprouting up in the Othello neighborhood of Southeast Seattle.

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods, in partnership with community volunteers, is developing a new P-Patch in the north end of John C. Little Park.

Neighbors are invited to learn more at a community meeting on Wed., Dec. 7, from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Hope Place, Room #206-207, (3802 S. Othello St.).

The project is funded through the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy, which dedicated $2 million to P-Patch Community Garden development.

Photo/Rainier Valley Post

Garden Educator Workshops Coming to Rainier Valley

October 3, 2011

in Education,Urban Farmer

RAINIER BEACH – This fall, Seattle Tilth and Rainier Valley Eats will offer garden educator workshops at South Shore School (4800 S. Henderson).

“The informative, hands-on classes are for teachers, school administrators, parents, childcare providers or anyone who wants to garden with children and youth,” said Liza Burke, Community Relations Manager with Seattle Tilth.

The Garden Educator Workshop schedule is as follows:

10/22: Intro to Organic Schoolyard Gardening – Explore basic organic gardening, harvesting and processing principles and techniques through hands-on activities in the garden, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

10/29: The Garden Classroom – Explore the garden classroom using hands-on activities. Learn how to use the garden classroom and it’s harvest to advance educational goals, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

11/5: Curriculum Working Group – Working in grade-level groups, classroom teachers and garden educators collaborate on creating lessons that connect seasonal gardening and cooking based activities with school curriculum, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Southeast Seattle residents enjoy a discounted rate of $15. Go here for more information or to register.

Photo/Seattle Tilth

Southeast Seattle Libraries to Host Urban Self Reliance Programs

September 24, 2011

in Arts/Living,Urban Farmer

Next month, the Seattle Public Library will host 17 workshops as part of its “Urban Self-Reliance” series, including several in southeast Seattle.

Learn how to live a more practical, sustainable life by growing and preserving your own food, using a bike as a healthy and economical means of transportation and more.

10/2: Bicycle Maintenance – Learn basic bike maintenance techniques from instructors from The Bikery, a non-profit community bike project.  Registration is required; call the branch to register. Beacon Hill Branch (2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711) 1-3 pm.

10/3: Simple Sewing (Potholders) – Sew Up Seattle will teach beginners the basics and encourage those with experience to create a project using donated scraps.  Registration is required; call the branch to register. Columbia Branch (4721 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-4721) 5-7 pm

10/10: Keeping Chickens in the City – Learn the basics of keeping chickens in the city, including starting with chicks, feeding and housing requirements and more. This workshop is presented in partnership with The Seattle Free School. Beacon Hill Branch (2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711) 6-7:30 pm

10/15: Make Your Place: Non-Toxic House Cleaners with Raleigh Briggs – Learn easy, affordable recipes for products you can use to clean your home, your body and even your pets. Columbia Branch (4721 Rainier Ave. S., 206-386-1908) 2-4 pm

10/26: Finding Edible Weeds in Your Garden and Lawn – Seattle author and expert forager Langdon Cook will talk about how to use your backyard as an exotic produce aisle.  This event is co-sponsored by 4Culture. Beacon Hill Branch (2821 Beacon Ave. S., 206-684-4711) 6-7:30 pm

Photo/Rainier Valley Post

New Rainier Beach Urban Farm to Break Ground Oct. 1

September 19, 2011

in Arts/Living,Urban Farmer

“I have waited more than two years for this moment,” said Friends of Atlantic City Nursery Co-Chair Peter Masundire when he recently announced the official ground breaking of the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands Preserve at Atlantic City Nursery.

Indeed, it was December 2009 when Seattle Parks and Recreation held its first public hearing to determine the future use of the 7-acre site. After more meetings and a public survey, Seattle’s Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously last fall to recommend the establishment of an Urban Farm and Wetlands Restoration site at Atlantic City Nursery.

Shortly thereafter, the Parks & Green Spaces Levy Citizens Oversight Committee recommended $500,000 funding for the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands Project, taking the community effort one step closer to reality.

Then, earlier this this year, Seattle Parks & Recreation selected the Friends of Atlantic Street Nursery and Seattle Tilth as site operators. Since that time, Seattle Tilth has hosted weekly work parties to prepare the site for the official groundbreaking planned for Sat., Oct. 1, from 10 am to 3 pm.

The family friendly event will include farm and wetlands walking tours, food, entertainment, special guests and much more.

“The Rainier Beach Urban Farm at Atlantic City Nursery is your farm,” said Masundire in his announcement. “It could not have happened without your support. Please come and celebrate this momentous occasion in the life of Rainier Beach.”

Atlantic City Nursery is located at 5513 S. Cloverdale Street in Rainier Beach. Photo/Rainier Valley Post

New P-Patch Coming to Rainier View

September 2, 2011

in Arts/Living,Urban Farmer

Change is coming to the empty lot at the corner of South Leo and Beacon Avenue South in the Rainier View neighborhood.

Thanks to the 2008 Parks and Green Spaces Levy, which provided $2 million to develop new community gardens, what is now just a patch of weeds will be transformed into a new P-Patch community garden where neighbors can build community and grow fresh organic produce.

Starting this month, there will be a series of community meetings with a landscape architect to determine the look and feel of the garden. The meetings will be held at Rainier Beach Library (9125 Rainier Ave. S.) from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thur., Sept. 15; Thur., Oct. 6 and Thur., Oct. 13. Food and children’s activities will be provided.

Photo/Rainier Valley Post

Still Time to Join Saturday’s Garden Skills Fair & Potluck at Bradner Gardens in Mount Baker

July 22, 2011

in Arts/Living,Urban Farmer

There is still time to join the P-Patch Garden Skills Fair at Bradner Gardens Park (29th Ave. S. & S. Grand) in Mt. Baker this Sat., July 23, from 10 am to 1:30 pm.

From organizer  Joyce Moty:

Registration starts at 10 am and makes everyone eligible for our raffle. We will provide coffee and beverages.  Don’t forget to bring a potluck dish for a light lunch. We have plates and silverware but if you want to be sustainable, you are welcome to bring your own eating utensils.

Lear about water systems, operation and maintenance of small gas-powered equipment, tool sharpening and maintenance, how to start a garden project, inclusivity in the P-Patch, composting and more.

For more info or to volunteer, contact Joyce Moty at jmmoty@gmail.com or 905-1601.

Photos/David Mullarkey Images

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Rainier Valley Garden News: Local Libraries Need Volunteers to Help Maintain Grounds, Date Set for Seattle Tilth Garden Tour + More

June 23, 2011

in Arts/Living,Urban Farmer

Local libraries seek volunteer gardeners to help maintain grounds

The Seattle Public Library is seeking volunteers to help maintain attractive grounds at several branches this summer and fall. Volunteers will weed gardens, rake leaves and pick up litter.

Gardening at the Library is an opportunity for friends, families and company teams to volunteer together. High school students can obtain service-learning hours for graduation requirements. Student volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

Volunteer work parties will be scheduled June through October at two south-end branches, including Columbia Library (4721 Rainier Ave. S.) and Rainier Beach Library (9125 Rainier Ave. S.).

The time commitment is flexible. Volunteers can sign up for gardening work parties throughout the summer and fall, or assist with a one-time project. Work parties will be scheduled between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For more information, contact Anne Vedella (anne.vedella@spl.org or 206-386-4614). Volunteer applications can be downloaded from www.spl.org (select Support Your Library and go to the Volunteer Opportunities page).

Grow, share and cook great food with RainierValleyEats!

Rainier Valley Eats! is a coalition of local community members partnering with Seattle Tilth, Community Kitchens NW and Public Health Seattle & King County to “get good food in people’s bellies and build a healthier southeast Seattle.”

All are welcome and there are several ways to get involved, including joining a community kitchen and start cooking up community in your neighborhood, helping build and maintain local food gardens, taking classes on how to grow vegetables, fruit trees and make compost, partnering with neighbors to save money by bulk buying.

To volunteer, please plan attend an orientation at the Rainier Beach Urban Farm at Atlantic City Nursery (5513 S. Cloverdale St.) on Tues., June 28, Tues. July 26 or Tues., Aug. 23, from 6 to 7 pm.

You can also learn how to grow great food with hands-on training at several south-end sites:

  • Rainier Beach Urban Farm Farm at Atlantic City Nursery – located at 5513 S. Cloverdale St. – (Saturdays, 10 am – 3 pm), Rainier Beach
  • Rainier Beach Learning Garden behind South Shore School – located at 4800 S. Henderson St. – (every other Tuesday, 4:30 – 6:30 pm, May 31, June 14, June 28, July 12, July 26, Aug 9, Aug 23) Rainier Beach
  • Rainier Community Center Learning Garden – located at 4600 38th Ave. S. – (every other Thursday, 4:30 – 6:30 pm, May 26, June 9, June 23, July 7, July 21, Aug 4) Columbia City

Go here to learn more or to get involved.

Seattle Tilth’s Chicken Coop and Urban Farm Tour scheduled for July 9

Seattle Tilth’s Chicken Coop and Urban Farm Tour is planned for Sat., July 9, from 10 am to 4 pm when 50 unique sites throughout the greater Seattle area will be available to visit on a self-guided tour.

Highlights include a Coop Expo at the Rainier Beach Farm with several builders ready to show-off a variety of coops that are made-to-order, a certified organic garden-to-market project used for mental health therapy, a community garden with a large chicken coop for Asian immigrant elders, a chicken coop with a green roof, rain barrels and neighboring goats, and a diverse garden with bees, worm bins and medicinal plants used to make herbal tinctures and salves.

Seattle Tilth is also offering a Summer Garden Camp for Kids from June through August at the Rainier Beach Learning Garden (4800 S. Henderson) and a rainwater collection class – Be Cistern Savvy! – on Sat., June 25, at Bradner Gardens Park (1733 Bradner Place S.) in Mt. Baker. $36 or $25 for Seattle Tilth members. Advance registration and payment are required.

Help grow the new Rainier Beach Urban Farm

Help grow the new Rainier Beach Urban Farm (5513 S. Cloverdale St.) with weekend work parties on-site every Saturday from 10 am to 3 pm. Organizers say that “this will be an opportunity for all the family including children to get involved- no farming or gardening experience is necessary!”

Top right photo/do communications. Bottom left photo/Seattle Tilth

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Rainier Valley Garden News: Readers to Eaters Book Talk, RV Eats! Community Meeting + More

May 26, 2011

in Arts/Living,News,Urban Farmer

Nice Lettuce
Save the Date: “Readers to Eaters” Food & Community Series in Columbia City

The community is invited to attend the 2nd Food & Community Series, promoting food literacy through “Book-n-Talk”, on Thur., June 2, from 6:30-8:30 pm at Rainier Community Center (4600 38th Ave. S.).

Author Jeremy Smith will discuss his book, “Growing a Garden City”, about how a diverse group of people in Missoula, Montana, created an “Agricultural Supported Community” by growing food together. The book was named a “Top 10 Book on the Environment” by Booklist, which also gave it a starred review.

“Growing a Garden City” includes a foreword by environmentalist Bill McKibben, and 15 first-person stories of personal and civic transformation from a range of individuals, including farmers and community garden members, a low-income senior and troubled teen, a foodie, a food bank officer, and many more; opportunities for diverse people to come together to grow food in order to build community.

Following the presentation, there will be a panel discussion on building food-based community through Seattle Parks. The event is free.

Save the Date: Rainier Valley Eats! Community Meeting

The community is invited to join Rainier Valley Eats! for a community meeting on Thur., June 9, 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Rainier Beach Library (9125 Rainier Ave. S.). For anyone interested in growing, sharing, and eating food with neighbors in Southeast Seattle. Come learn about the many resources available and opportunities to start new projects. Rainier Valley Eats!:

We believe that healthy food is a basic human right. We recognize that the ability to access healthy food is related to multiple issues and not just a result of low income. We are taking a holistic approach to achieve real change in our community’s access to healthy food.

We recognize that food plays an important part in the cultural diversity of our community and work to meet those needs through our programming. In this process, we nurture community through a shared food experience. More.

Help Support the Rainier Vista Community Farm

The Seattle Housing Authority’s Rainier Vista Community Farm is competing with several other community gardens across the country for a $20,000 grant to pay for interpretation services and a community gathering space in the heart of Seattle’s most diverse community, and you can help.

From Michelle at Solid Ground:

The community is incredibly diverse and though people love coming together around gardening and food, it helps to have a spot to gather and the ability to speak in one’s own language and be understood.

Go here to vote for the Rainier Vista Community Farm (AKA “Seattle Community Farm”).

New Community Garden in Rainier Beach

Rainier Beach United Methodist Church, in partnership with Rainier Beach Neighborhood Association, has created a new community garden adjacent to the church at 5500 S. Roxbury in upper Rainier Beach.

Interested gardeners can choose between a 4′ x 8′ raised bed at $30/year or a 3′ x 6′ bed at $20/year. Contact Rev. Monica Corsaro (revmokat@yahoo.com) for more information.

City Blesses Rainier Beach Urban Farm; Friends of Atlantic City Nursery & Seattle Tilth Selected to Operate

Seattle Parks & Recreation has completed its RFP review process and selected the Friends of Atlantic Street Nursery and Seattle Tilth as the operators of the soon to be established Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands Preservation site. More.

Nice Lettuce at the Courtland Place P-Patch. Photo/edgeplot

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City Blesses Rainier Beach Urban Farm; Friends of Atlantic City Nursery & Seattle Tilth Selected to Operate

May 17, 2011

in News,Urban Farmer

by Peter Masundire, Rainier Beach resident & Friends of Atlantic City Nursery Co-Chair

We have just learned that Seattle Parks & Recreation has completed its RFP review process and has selected the Friends of Atlantic Street Nursery and Seattle Tilth as the operators of the soon to be established Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands Preservation site.

This is a great achievement for Rainier Beach and could not have happened without your support. So, thank you!

Over the last two years, many residents of Rainier Beach and supporters of the urban farm idea worked tirelessly to make this a reality. Some wrote letters of support, testified in public meetings, attended numerous community planning meetings and others recruited supporters through the internet – all this has paid off. This is one example of what is possible when a community comes together towards a common goal.

The Friends of Atlantic City Nursery and Seattle Tilth are committed to making this a jewel not only in Rainier Beach, but in the Puget Sound region as a whole. With your help, I know that what we have achieved together can be a model for other communities to follow!

Once again, thank you for supporting the community effort to establish the Rainier Beach Urban Farm and Wetlands Project at Atlantic City Nursery. Getting the urban farm idea adopted by the city and being selected as operators is just the beginning. Now we literally have to dig in and make our hands dirty, while at the same time producing some healthy organic food to feed our community. Will you join us?

Atlantic City Nursery is located at 5513 S. Cloverdale Street in Rainier Beach. Photo/do communications

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Graham Hill Elementary School Garden Vandalized + How You Can Help (UPDATE)

April 18, 2011

in 911,Education,News,Urban Farmer

Just one day after Graham Hill Elementary School students celebrated Earth Day with a work party designed to clean up the campus and plant seeds and starts for the upcoming growing season, the school’s greenhouse and garden were vandalized Saturday night.

Cambria Cox, the school’s garden coordinator, discovered the destruction on Sunday morning when she arrived to water the freshly planted garden, and instead, found plants ripped out and thrown around, pots overturned, watering cans kicked around, vents broken, and more. Even the school’s greenhouse was trashed.

It wasn’t the first time the Seward Park school has been targeted, Cox said that just last weekend, the campus was tagged with graffiti, and while she called it a “heartbreaking” situation, she added that the school community will not be deterred.

As she wrote on the school’s gardening blog:

Why bother? Why spend the energy in creating something beautiful only to see it destroyed?

But then I think of Jemaimah and Jimenah and how excited they were to plant strawberries, or how Shamsoh, Ikram and Charina ask me every time I see them “When do we get to garden again?” or how excited every kid gets when they look in the worm bin and see those red wrigglers at work, or the beautiful notes and drawings I’ve received from students saying how much they love going to the greenhouse.

I look through the windows of classrooms with pride when I see flowers blooming outside and green leaves blowing in the wind. I think of how fun it is to learn about gardening alongside of an 8-year old and watching a tiny seed turn into a huge sunflower.

For you Isaiah, Ari, Mu, Sydney, Maelea, Jaiden, Marcello, and all of my garden buddies at Graham Hill — this is all for you. This work is important.

We will just have to climb out from under the rock that got placed on us and keep reaching toward the sun.

She added in an email, “We got things cleaned up and are moving on. The plants are resilient and so are we!”

UPDATE (Tues., April 19): The Graham Hill Elementary School garden was vandalized again Sunday night. From Cambria Cox, the school’s garden coordinator:

The starts I was able to salvage on Saturday were dumped out and stomped on.

I have filed a second police report, called the District security number and left a message, and will also contact the South Precinct community outreach officer and ask him for advice.

Cox is hoping that a local security company will donate a motion sensor light and/or video camera and that Seattle Police Department will increase patrols in the area to help prevent additional property damage.

Go here to learn more or to donate to the Graham Hill Garden Program. Photos/Cambria Cox

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Save the Date: Time for Orca’s Annual Spring Plant Sale

April 11, 2011

in Arts/Living,Education,Urban Farmer

The annual Orca K-8 Plant & Garden Sale is scheduled for Sat., May 14, from 10 am – 3 pm. Tomatoes! Veggies! Native plants! Flowers! Most grown by students at Orca school. This legendary sale is back with more fun, crafts, live music, and the most amazing plant starts ever!

Get Your Garden on in Rainier Valley With “Mason Bees for Pollination” + More

February 16, 2011

in Arts/Living,Urban Farmer

City Fruit has several classes coming up next month in the Rainier Valley, including an encore of its very popular Mason Bees Class.

All regular City Fruit classes cost $15 for members, $20 for non-members.  Register online at www.cityfruit.org or send a check, the name of the class, and your contact information to: City Fruit, PO Box 28577, Seattle 98118.

Mason Bees for Pollination
March 3, 7 – 9 pm
Jackson Place Cohousing: 800 Hiawatha Pl. S, Seattle WA
Native, non-aggressive mason bees can dramatically increase fruit yields while improving the entire city ecosystem.  In this class you’ll learn how to be successful in raising mason bees and will receive hands-on experience with harvesting mason bees.  Instructor Dave Hunter has been working with mason bees for nearly 20 years and helping gardeners become more aware of pollination requirements.  He recently launched  www.crownbees.com.

Grafting New Fruit onto Existing Fruit Trees
March 12, 10 am – noon
Bradner Gardens Park classroom: 1733 Bradner Place S, Seattle WA 98144
This course provides an introduction to the whip graft, cleft graft, bud graft and pleach.  You can practice grafting and learn the in’s and out’s of rootstocks. Instructor Greg Giuliani grew up on a Snoqualmie Valley farm with a 1930’s orchard.  He learned how to graft in order to re-create these heritage fruit varieties, not available in stores.  He has been a member and instructor with the Seattle Tree Fruit Society for twelve years.

Permaculture and Orchards
Saturday, March 19, 10 am – noon
Bradner Gardens Park classroom: 1733 Bradner Place S, Seattle WA  98144.
Learn permaculture best practices for planting and maintaining healthy fruit trees including  how to establish “plant communities” (or permaculture plant guilds) that activate the soil, support the ecosystem, and promote low maintenance tree health. Co-instructor Jenny Pell is a permaculture teacher, designer and consultant specializing in urban permaculture, edible perennials and vertical gardening.  Jacqueline Cramer has worked the land for twenty years as farmer, teacher, gardener, designer, and activist, and has worked in urban settings designing, installing and maintaining landscapes, including over 15 school food gardens.

Photo/Crown Bees

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Spring Is Coming: Learn How to Grow Your Own Food in Mt. Baker

02.03.2011 Arts/Living

Starting next week, Seattle Tilth is offering a variety of informative “Grow Your Own Food” classes at Bradner Gardens Park (1733 Bradner Place S.) in Mt. Baker. See class details below. Click links for more information or to register. Advanced registration and payment are required. 2/12: Backyard Beekeeping 101, 10 a.m.-noon. Learn everything you need [...]

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City Fruit Announces Winter 2011 Classes

12.21.2010 Arts/Living

All City Fruit classes cost $15 for members, $20 for non-members.  Follow the link to register via Brown Paper Tickets, or send a check, the name of the class, and your contact information to: City Fruit, PO Box 28577, Seattle 98118. 2/19: Planting and Caring for Young Fruit Trees, 10 am – noon at Martha [...]

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Rainier Valley Man to Heat “Passive” New Home With Hair Dryer

09.24.2010 Arts/Living

KIRO Radio: I dread the mailbox trips in the winter. What will my Puget Sound Energy bill have for me this month? Dan Whitmore won’t have to worry about that this winter. The Rainier Valley man is building the state’s first passive house. He says it will cut his heating and cooling bills by up [...]

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Board of Parks Votes YES on Rainier Beach Urban Farm

09.14.2010 News
atlantic_city_nursey

Last week, Seattle’s Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously, with abstention, to recommend the establishment of an Urban Farm and Wetlands Restoration site at Atlantic City Nursery. From Friends of Atlantic City Nursery Co-Chairs Harry Hoffman and Peter Masundire: On behalf of the Friends of Atlantic City Nursery, I would like to thank you for [...]

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Grow Your Brain With Fall Gardening Classes in Mt. Baker & Rainier Beach (UPDATED)

09.14.2010 Arts/Living

Seattle Tilth and City Fruit are each offering some fun fall gardening classes at Rainier Beach Community Center (8825 Rainier Ave S.) and Bradner Gardens Park in Mt. Baker (1733 Bradner Place S.): Comprehensive Organic Gardener Program: 9/15-10/6; Sundays, 10 am-3 pm. An intensive multi-session program teaching organic vegetable gardening methods and practice. COST: $235 [...]

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How About a P-Patch at RAS & Henderson in Rainier Beach? Seriously.

08.24.2010 News

In an effort to “improve community through gardening”, the City is currently seeking suggestions for possible future P-Patch sites in the Rainier Beach area. Do you know of a potential site that might be a good fit? If so, submit your idea here ASAP. What makes a good site? A good site is: Publicly owned [...]

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Backyard Chicken Flocks Could Grow to 8 Birds Per Lot

07.05.2010 Arts/Living

Seattle Times (RVP news partner): This year is, after all, Seattle’s “Year of Urban Agriculture.” The City Council is considering in-city farming regulations this summer that would give Seattle some of the most permissive rules in the nation. In-city lots could have up to eight chickens (the current limit is three), including roosters. The legislation [...]

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Seattle Tilth’s Citywide Chicken Coop Tour Coming to SE Seattle

06.29.2010 Arts/Living

Seattle Tilth’s 2010 City Chicken Coop Tour is coming up on Sat., July 10, and five of the hosts are in southeast Seattle: Learn about raising hens and building coops! Do you have the urban farm itch? Spend a summer afternoon with family or friends visiting some of the city’s hardy urban farm folk and [...]

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From Mt. Baker to Beacon Hill: Get Your Garden on With Seattle Tilth

05.19.2010 Urban Farmer
broccoli

Seattle Tilth is offering a whole slew of gardening classes in southeast Seattle this summer: Container Veggie Gardening (Van Asselt Community Center) June 4-25, 7-8pm – Learn everything you need to know to grow food in containers. Be Cistern Savvy! (Bradner Gardens Park in the Mt Baker neighborhood) June 24, 6-7:30pm – Everything you need [...]

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