mediums
building community through the arts
Support our efforts by donating today
Bayview Triangle Pollinator Garden
Check out the plant list and garden plan.
Want to get involved? Sign up for our mailing list to find out when the next work party is happening!
Subscribe to our mailing list
October 2016 Update
We had a very successful work party on October 9th. We had seven intrepid volunteers working hard to clear out the trash (there was a whole mattress this time), do some serious weeding, and plant some new plants. Thanks to the King County Conservation District and Forterra for getting us additional new beautiful pollinator plants (see the new additions). We were very grateful that the rain clouds let us have a few hours of sunshine to work in. Thanks to all of the neighbors who appreciated our efforts and told us so. Thanks to the wonderful stranger who bought us granola bars to keep us fortified. Stop by and enjoy the finished work. We'll take a break from work parties until Spring. Check our Facebook page or sign up for our email list to find out when.
Summer 2016 Update
Right now we are in the midst of summer watering for these new plants to get them established. The Shell station next door has graciously allowed us to use their water. You might see some strange pots sticking out of the ground. Those are homemade ollas to help keep the plants watered. To make your own, check out our how to blog post. If you are interested in helping water, email us!
The next phase is to build a small little free library that will face the sidewalk and will be stocked with books on gardening, nature, and pollinators that will be free for the taking. We're planning a work party for Sunday, October 9th, from noon-2pm. Anyone is welcome to stop and help.
How It All Started
In 2013, the Beacon Hill Garden Club partnered with Tree Ambassadors to do quarterly clean up and plant maintenance at the Bayview Triangle. This little pocket of green space, at the center of a very busy intersection at 15th Ave South and Beacon Avenue South, has long been a magnet for trash. Our motivation is to activate the space to make it welcoming to all.
Our first step was planting a small pollinator garden that includes drought tolerant plants that would work well in this sunny and dry spot. This happened in fall of 2015 with funding from the City of Seattle Tree Ambassadors and the King Conservation District and permission from SDOT who owns the property. The goal is to have a mix of plants that will feed bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for most of the year. Not only does it add color to this park but it is an educational opportunity for the community. There is a mason bee house that will give people a chance to see pollinators in action. Educational signs about the mason bees and pollinators roles will be incorporated into the plantings.
Why Are We Doing This?
Pollinators are in trouble with a lack of habitat and pesticide use. This garden creates a pollinator oasis in the middle of a busy intersection. This pollinator garden can be used as an educational resource to educate the public about the benefits.
Another benefit is improving the site for the community. The end goal is to activate the space and make it a point of pride in the neighborhood. This is one step in that direction.
Site of pollinator garden
