SEED INFO

Climate Zone update

ABOUT THIS PROJECT

Hi! My name is Charity and I love to garden!  I use a wheelchair.  I used to work after college but my body was like NOPE, so I "retired" and currently am a dog mom.  Gardening is fun and gives you  a ridiculously strong sense of accomplishment!  I have loved all of the opportunities given via the Seattle P-patch program, especially sharing my tomatoes with my working neighbors!

LOCAL RESOURCES

Seattle P-Patch
Seattle Tilth
GROW

Seattle Community Gardening History Project is looking for folks who have been involved with community gardening/P-patches in Seattle for an oral history project.  Have you been involved with a community garden, p-patch, or urban nursery? If you are willing to give a brief recorded interview, please contact EleanorBoba@comcast.net.  Particularly interested in finding people who were involved in the very early days of the P-patch program (1970s and 80s) or who were instrumental in starting up a P-patch since that time. Eleanor is a public historian working independently. She has been involved with the Renton History Museum, the Rainier Valley Historical Society, HistoryLink.org, and others.

SEED STARTING

You can buy seeds or starts for every season and no, seeds DO NOT expire. [Seeds do not expire although they can  lose germination/be more likely to fail to sprout/germinate over time.]  Successful gardeners  overplant just a bit as seeds aren't perfect and you always have a few that mess up.  If  everything works and you end up with extra, SHARE!!!

Note about seed starting in Seattle:  Seattle is not the same as Texas!  (Duh.) Because of weather differences, planting practices are somewhat unique based on area.  For more info, Seattle Tilth created a wonderfully informative book.  If reading is your best learning style, THIS BOOK WILL ANSWER ALL BASIC QUESTIONS (and not only about seed starting)!  Maritime Northwest Garden Guide: Planning Calendar for Year-Round Organic Gardening, 2nd Edition

Many plants need a bit more time to grow than the typical Seattle outdoors can provide.  Because of this, Seattle gardeners need to know when to directly plant seeds in the ground (direct sow) vs. when seedlings need to be started indoors and later moved outside (transplanting).  Because our summers are short plants and varieties must be chosen  with care.

HELPFUL VIDEOS

SEED STORES

Buy Local
Seattle Seed Co.
Uprising Seeds
Ed Hume Seeds

Buy inexpensive
MIgardener
seedsnow.com
The Dollar Store

Buy from major seed companies:
Territorial Seed Company
True Leaf Market
Burpee

Farmers Markets
Capitol Hill's Farmers Market is two blocks from Thomas Street Gardens.  Some vendors sell plant starts during planting season.

Seed Libraries
King County Seed Library