Tucked in next to I-5 between NE 58th- 60th Streets grows a remarkable, little-known community garden. The official name is Northeast 60th St. Park, but members call it “Freeway Estates Community Orchard (FECO).”
In 2010, a group of neighbors worked to transform 12,000 SF of highway right-of-way from scrub growth and trash into a productive, welcoming oasis of fruit trees, native plants, garden beds, benches, and garden art. Unlike most “p-patch” community gardens, most volunteers do not have their own garden beds – they are tending and maintaining the garden for the community. Over half of the planting beds are dedicated to growing food bank produce. With a focus on sustainability, it features Washington’s only gravity-led drip irrigation system, thermal (no-dig) composting, and pollinator-supporting plants grouped in cooperative “guilds”.
Fremont Estates Community Orchard looking North. Courtesy Fremont Estates
Community events are a big part of the garden’s mission to bring people together. The annual fall Cider Fest featuring the garden’s fruit is one. Kicking off spring, on Saturday, March 26, FECO is hosting a plant sale featuring vegetable and flower starts, as well as native plants and seed giveaways. Note the sale goes from 10:00 am through 1 pm or “until we run out”!
Stop by early for the best selection!
The garden welcomes volunteers and donations of needed supplies.
Work parties are held:
Every Thursday and Friday at 10:00am
The 2nd and 3rd Saturday each month from 10:00am – noon
The Annual Seattle Art in Bloom tour, usually a studio tour, is moving outside this year to yards and open garages to permit social distancing. Get inspired by the work of more than 25 local artists in eight yards from Ballard to Northgate on a self-guided walking or driving tour this weekend, April 23-25, from 10am -5pm.
Mosaic by Majken Ryherd
The plant-based theme of the show is on works drawn from nature or that can be displayed outdoors, in glass, metal, ceramic, stone, and more. Enjoy a range of garden art, mosaics, stained glass, gifts, and home decor – just in time for both Mother’s and Father’s Days.
In Tangletown/Meridian, Bridget Culligan will display her glasswork along with mosaic artist Maijken Ryherd and ceramic artist Caitlin Sullivan. In Phinney, at Seymour Stained Glass Studios (still outdoors), view the art of glass artists Karen Seymour, Andi Ficker, and Lael Bennett, along with the upcycled wonders of Greg Delaney.
Thanks to http://artinbloomseattle.weebly.com/ for the photos.
We were clued in to this fun pop-up when people were passing by with bouquets this morning. That’s not unusual – if they were coming from the UDistrict Farmer’s Market, but they were ambling from the opposite direction, with pastries. A short jaunt with the dog cleared this up.
Just outside Mighty-O Donuts on N. 55th Street at the corner of Keystone Pl., a flower stall had popped up, offering daffodils and mixed bouquets in the range of $10-20. Turns out Lia’s Garden in Snohomish has come here a few times since February. They’d like to make it a regular Saturday event, but they say for sure they plan to come back for Mother’s Day Weekend.
Lia’s is part of the Hmong Flower Farmers of Washington, a group of growers and artists formerly based in Pike Place Market. If you missed them today, you can also find them Sundays at the Ballard Market, or order online. You can also reach them on Instagram.
Bouquets from Lia’s Garden in Snohomish featuring tulips, narcissus, and pussy willows. Photo: Erica Browne Grivas
