What's New
Seattle Parks Foundation releases results of community survey

Table of Contents

• KBCS-Green Radio Spots
  • P-Patches, Part 1: Sprouting Up All Over Seattle's Landscape
  • P-Patches, Part 2: Local Food from Local Gardens
  • P-Patches, Part 3: Marra Farm
  • Edible Security in the City

Every Drop Counts: Water Saving Contest Results

Contest? What Contest?

The water saving contest has proven to be a worthwhile effort for the P-Patch program. Beginning in June and ending in October of this year, the idea was to promote innovative approaches to water conservation with the goal of saving two valuable resources, water and money. The results varied across the city with a variety of factors coming into play that impacted water consumption; including weather, garden expansion, leaks, and participation.

The contest featured two main categories: water savings and innovative/creative ideas for water conservation. In each of the categories, the top three gardens will receive a prize. The top prize in each category is a $100 gift certificate to a local hardware/garden store, second place gardens get a variety pack of new tools and third place will receive a copy of the Seattle Tilth classic, “Maritime NW Garden Guide”.

Thanks to all of the sites that participated in the contest, you not only spread water conservation awareness but also reduced the P-Patch program’s water costs.

Contest Results

Category 1: Overall Water Savings

In total there were 30 gardens that decreased their water consumption as compared to last year. Despite the fact that the program brought new gardens online there was still an overall water savings of just under 20,000 gallons of water. This effort shows that when gardeners take an active role in conservation the results are significant.

Garden Percent Decrease from 2010 Gallons of Water saved

• Bradner 67.6% 89,012
• U-Heights 67.1% 33,660
• Queen Pea 65% 56,100
• Beacon Bluff 61% 5,984
• Snoqualmie 60% 80,036
• Good Shepherd 59% 45,628
• U-District 52% 39,644
• Roosevelt 50% 6,732
• Thyme 49% 21,692
• Colman 44% 30,668

Total Gallons Saved: 409,156 = $2,500.00

It’s important to note that these results and year to year comparisons do not take into account the water numbers for 23 sites due to the fact there is incomplete consumption data for many of our sites that are on a sub meter.

Category 2: Creative Ideas for Saving Water.

1st Place: University Heights took a community approach to saving water. Site leaders made sure that everyone did their part to ensure that the cistern water was the first option, that signage was everywhere and that all manner of water saving activities were employed.

2nd Place: Hazel Heights water gurus provided an adequate supply of watering cans and provided signage to encourage people to utilize water from the underground water cistern.

3rd Place: Picardo gardener Trent used recycled materials to provide root zone watering for the community raspberry patch. The idea saves water by reducing runoff and thus the overall amount of water needed to maintain the raspberries.

KBCS-Green Radio Spots

P-Patches, Part 1: Sprouting Up All Over Seattle's Landscape

April 10, 2008
Next up on One World Report, some say, “It’s not easy being green.” Wait, that’s not entirely true. Our next story from Green Acre Radio, a public affairs program with a focus on the environment, sustainable living and you, shows how Seattle has been “keeping the green” for a long time. In the first of its three-part series, Green Acre visits one of Seattle’s oldest community gardens. Also known as “p-patches,” these gardens bring people together to grow their own food. But there’s more to p-patches than a week’s groceries. They’re also about sharing the harvest to alleviate hunger, build community and unite people across ethnic and class lines.
Reporter: Martha Baskin GAR_20080410_Pea_Patches_MB (mp3)

P-Patches, Part 2: Local Food from Local Gardens
April 17, 2008
Next up is Green Acre Radio with stories of sustainable living, the environment and you. This week we continue the three part series on community gardens, otherwise known as “p-patches.” Urban community gardens are becoming an important part of the local food supply and a sustainable solution for alleviating hunger, as well as, the climate impacts from transporting food. This week we join local gardeners and learn about a Local Food Action Initiative.
Reporter: Martha Baskin Green Acre Radio Episode 10 Full Version (mp3)

P-Patches, Part 3: Marra Farm

April 24, 2008
To begin our Earth Day section, Martha Baskin of Green Acre Radio concludes her 3 part series on community gardens with a visit to Marra Farm. Like Picardo P-Patch from Part I of this series, Marra is a historical farm within Seattle city limits. At Marra, growing food for as many people as possible isn't only a mission appealing to adults, but a hands-on (and sometimes funny) educational experience for children.
Reporter: Martha Baskin Green Acre Radio Episode 11 (mp3)

Green Radio-Edible Security in City

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