Seattle Plant Exchange

Snoqualmie Valley Farms

There is nothing quite like visiting a farm for inspiration (and delicious, fresh produce!).  I particularly enjoy trekking out to Snoqualmie Valley, and found this handy list of farms that are open to the public:

http://www.snoqualmievalleytourism.com/images/Snoq%20Valley%20Farms%20Open%20to%20Public.pdf

I called the recording at Bybee Nims Farms yesterday, and they said the blueberry harvest will begin at the end of July this year. Can't wait!

Do you have plants to trade?

If you're in or around Seattle, please feel free to email me photos and/or a description of the plants you have available (and a list of plants you're willing to exchange).

I can post photos for you, link to your public Picasa or Flickr albums...whatever.

We also use Meetup.com to help facilitate exchanges through an events calendar and message board. Joining is free -- click here to become a member.

The group consists of gardeners of ALL levels of experience.

NY Times Article: Urban Farming, a Bit Closer to the Sun

A friend and co-author of the Sustainable Seafood Blog sent me the following article:

Urban Farming, a Bit Closer to the Sun

From rooftop to rooftop, in DC, NYC and beyond, restaurants, schools, and other organizations are "greening" their urban outdoor spaces.  Reasons include agriculture, tax breaks, and drainage, to name a few.

Seattle is unique, in my opinion, because it seems comparatively progressive in urban farming practices. I've spotted chickens roaming under porches, goats grooming plants, and yards transformed to sustainable spaces. While I've noticed gorgeous city gardens - vegetable and ornamental - on the East Coast, I can't recall seeing a bee hive, chicken coop, or goat in any Philly, DC, NYC, Boston, or Baltimore back yards (which I'm sure ordinances prevent there). I am eager to participate in the Seattle Tilth Chicken Coop Tour next month, to learn more about urban farming practices in Seattle.

Also...if you know of some downtown Seattle examples of urban farming, please let me know. I'd love to feature some skyscraper stories here.

Washington Native Plants Society

Tremendous resource, worth sharing:

http://www.wnps.org/

Garden Tours & Plant Sales Calendar

The University of Washington Botanic Gardens has a fabulous Garden Tours & Plant Sales Calendar available here.

If you're a Google Calendar fanatic (If you're not, you should be!), you can add the entire calendar to your Google Calendar by clicking the button in the lower right corner.

Barrels of Rain

King County has a comprehensive resource page on rain barrels:

CLICK HERE TO ACCESS

Contrary to popular believe, Seattle summers are pretty dry. 

If you have a barrel, please send photos and I will post them here. I'm curious to see how others are incorporating them into their gardens. (We don't have one yet).

Hardiness Zone Map

If you order plants online, knowing your hardiness zone is essential.

The National Gardening Association has a helpful Hardiness Zone Finder (click to view).

According to this map, the hardiness zone in Seattle and its surrounding areas is either 8 (8a or 8b).