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P-Patch Community Gardening Program, October 2025 newsletter

Ending the garden season successfully



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A hand holding a garlic bulb ready to be planted
End the garden season successfully

*Winterize your plot by October 31*: P-Patch gardeners are required to care for their plots year-round. Make a plan for how you will garden through the winter, either by growing winter crops, or focusing on soil-building. 

*"To winterize your plot, please remove all non-organic material (i.e., tomato cages) then choose an option below:"*


* *Option #1*: Grow winter crops such as garlic, onions, kale, etc.
* *Option #2:* Plant cover crops to dig your soil in the spring to add nitrogen as they decompose.
* *Option #3:*  Mulch. Protect your soil with a layer of organic material then dig it into the soil in the springtime:
* Chop up spent plants and cover your plot. 
* Create a blanket of leaves on your plot, or
* Create a good blend of green (spent plants) and brown (leaves).  Layer 12” deep. Cover with burlap.

*_Community Service Hours_*: P-Patch gardeners are required to complete a minimum of 8 hours of community service per year (counted November 1 - October 31). Note: "If you were assigned a plot after June 15, 2025, this requirement is reduced, please check your plot assignment email to confirm. "*Log your volunteer hours* on a tracking sheet at your garden (if available) OR enter your community hours online [ https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/Neighborhoods/PPatch/Tips/Adding%20Your%20Community%20Hours.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] on the P-Patch website [ https://web7.seattle.gov/DON/PPatch/Account/Login?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ], *by Oct.31*.

*_Complete the P-Patch Gardener Survey" i"_*"*f** you haven’t already*"*. *This survey gathers information about the people who use P-Patches [ https://forms.office.com/g/dR33yC3L3J?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]. All responses are confidential. Your participation helps us understand your programmatic needs and experience. The survey should be filled out by the main gardener, and the information will not be connected with your name. Survey closes Oct. 31.

*_Growing for Giving:_* Let’s continue to share our bumper crops with our neighbors in need! In November, P-Patch Staff will reach out to your garden’s Giving Garden leads to collect 2025 donation totals. Share the Harvest - Neighborhoods | seattle.gov [ https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/p-patch-community-gardening/toolkit-for-gardeners/share-the-harvest?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

*_Water_**: *P-Patch water lines should be off and drained _NO_ later than Nov. 10 (first frost date). Once water is shut off and system is drained, your site leadership will notify your P-Patch staff directly.

*_End of Season Celebrations_*: Continue to celebrate and keep your P-Patch active with fun events, while keeping each other safe! *Safety in the Garden* [ https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Neighborhoods/PPatch/Tips/504_SafetyintheGarden.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

 



Share your garden story or event

Elderly P-Patch Gardener holding a shovel over her shoulder, looking cool and tough.

With 90 P-Patches across the city and each garden plot within them having its own unique style and flavor, there are so many ways we can highlight the benefits of community gardens to both P-Patch members and the community at large. The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods communications team would love to learn about what people across the city are growing and the personal touches each community gardener brings to their garden and community each year. If you utilize social media to show off your garden, consider including the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods in your garden posts.  You can find the Department of Neighborhoods on Facebook [ https://www.facebook.com/SeattleNeighborhoods/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] and Instagram [ https://www.instagram.com/seattle_neighborhoods?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

Alternatively, you can send images & positive stories directly to: DON_Communications@seattle.gov

Add your P Patch event to DON Calendar: Submit an Event - Neighborhoods | seattle.gov [ https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/event-calendar/submit-an-event?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] .

Read the Department of Neighborhoods "Front Porch" blog [ https://frontporch.seattle.gov/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]





P-Patch gardener education with Tilth Alliance

The P-Patch program is partnering with Tilth Alliance [ https://tilthalliance.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] again this year to offer free gardener education classes for P-Patch gardeners. These classes are a great resource for new gardeners and experienced gardeners alike!


* *Watch a recording of our "Winding Down the Season [ https://us02web.zoom.us/rec/share/urlM_LoAvOU3o-CrbYqMzrHfuZ7WpfwJP1wwwVi8FAYly7ZxlpVDSdrdxYsfFYYk.dCuUwZEFxrcD2LGI?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]" class.* Passcode: B1S3#kzi 

* *Learn two ways to put your garden to bed [ https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WASEATTLE/2025/10/23/file_attachments/3433139/Put%20the%20garden%20to%20bed%20-%20Tilth%20gardener%20education.pdf ]*
* *Preserve garden abundance [ https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WASEATTLE/2025/10/23/file_attachments/3433161/Preserving%20the%20harvest%20-%20Tilth%20gardener%20education.pdf ] for winter months*
* *Grow great garlic [ https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/WASEATTLE/2025/10/23/file_attachments/3433162/Grow%20Great%20Garlic%20-%20Tilth%20gardener%20education.pdf ]. Plant now and harvest in 2026!*










Compost grants for community gardens from Cedar Grove

garden tools

Community gardens within Seattle are eligible for a compost donation for their garden from Cedar Grove. You can apply for this as a non-profit organization (GROW Northwest [ https://www.grownorthwest.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] acts as the non-profit fiscal sponsor for P-Patch gardens), and Cedar Grove will donate the compost. Gardens must cover the compost delivery fee.

Learn more and apply [ https://cedar-grove.com/grant-for-green?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]


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Where to source burlap for winterizing your garden

* Herkimer Coffee Roasters / 74th and Greenwood / Herkimer Coffee – Coffee Roasting Company in Seattle, Washington, est. 2003 [ https://herkimercoffee.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
* Caffe Vita / 1005 East Pike / 206-712-2132 / Caffe Vita Roasting Co. – Caffe Vita Coffee Roasting Co. [ https://www.caffevita.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
* Victrola Coffee Roasters / 310 East Pike / 206-624-1725/ Victrola Coffee Roasters [ https://www.victrolacoffee.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
* Second Use Building Materials and Salvage [ https://www.seconduse.com/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

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P-Patch Program important documents and resources

We encourage all gardeners to review the following resources as we start a new gardening season.


* Anti-Racist Statement and Resources [ https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/programs-and-services/p-patch-community-gardening/toolkit-for-gardeners/anti-racism-resources?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]  

* Rules [ http://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Neighborhoods/PPatch/Rules.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]  

* Code of Conduct [ https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Neighborhoods/PPatch/Code-of-Conduct.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]  

* Invasive Plant Guidelines [ https://www.seattle.gov/documents/Departments/Neighborhoods/PPatch/413_Invasive-Plant-Guidelines.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]  

* Safety in the Garden [ https://www.seattle.gov/Documents/Departments/Neighborhoods/PPatch/Tips/504_SafetyintheGarden.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]    

* Toolkit for Gardeners [ https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/p-patch-gardening/toolkit-for-gardeners?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 

Our partner organizations

* Learn about upcoming garden education workshops with Tilth Alliance [ https://tilthalliance.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

* Support community gardening in King County with GROW Northwest [ https://www.grownorthwest.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

* Help Seattle grow to give with the Seattle Giving Garden Network [ https://www.sggn.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

* Discover the Master Gardener program at Washington State University [ https://extension.wsu.edu/king/gardening/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
* Find answers to your gardening questions through the Garden Hotline [ https://gardenhotline.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]
* Preserve, diversify, and share seeds with the Washington State Seed Library Network [ https://tilthalliance.org/our-work/gardeners/washington-state-seed-library-network/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

* Connect with the community gardening network across North America through the American Community Gardening Association [ https://www.communitygarden.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

* Empower youth through the power of carpentry and craft with Sawhorse Revolution [ https://sawhorserevolution.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]

* Garden with the Khmer Community of Seattle King County [ https://www.kcskc.org/opportunities/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] 

* Support Black Star Farmers [ https://blackstarfarmers.org/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] in their land stewardship, mutual aid, education, and direct-action work
* Support Hunger Intervention Program (HIP) [ https://hungerintervention.org/gardening-program/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery# ] to increase food security for underserved populations in north King County by volunteering with their kid's Gardening Program at Lake City Court P-Patch!

* Build a foundation for a rewarding environmental career with the Student Conservation Association [ https://thesca.org/program/urban-green/seattle?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ] in Seattle


Sign up to garden [ https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/p-patch-gardening/how-to-sign-up?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]



Find a garden near you [ https://www.seattle.gov/neighborhoods/p-patch-gardening/map-of-gardens?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery ]







*Seattle Department of Neighborhoods*

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4th Floor

Seattle, WA 98104

*Phone: 206-684-0464*

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