The Orca K-8 School Garden Blog!

Many people have visited us to get inspiration or ideas about school gardening. Please call or email us to set up a tour, we would love to have you.  Contact Anthony Warner at (206)252-6918 or apwarner@seattleschools.org

Previous visitors have included:

Slow Food Seattle: promotes experiencing the cultural and regional significance of our foods by educating ourselves about where our food comes from.

Lincoln Elementary in Olympia, more here about their farm to cafeteria lunch program.

University of Washington’s Landscape Architecture Program.

Commodore Options School on Bainbridge Island and The Coalition for Essential Schools.

Seattle Youth Garden Works. They empower homeless and under-served youth through garden-based education and employment. Read a Seattle Times Article here that features Orca garden Coordinator/SYGW teacher Anthony Warner.

In the spirit of the great leader of the non-violent movement: Dr. Martin Luther King- the middle school hung out with Garden Coordinator Anthony Warner all day! In the morning we planted over 50 Native NW plants around the flagpole & eastern Orca entrance. In the afternoon we participated in a peaceful march through Columbia City to honor non-violence and positivity. The planting & march fit well together in Orca’s mission of social justice and positive self expression!

Kent’s class continued their study of native NW plants by planting along the new science annex. They planted Low Oregon Grape, Kinnikinnick, & Sword Ferns.

The Orca Winter Planting Party was an amazing event full of parents, students, teachers, and neighbors. We planted almost 200 native plants in our garden, preparing them for the Spring and Summer that we see in the near future. We were also able to integrate 4 cu. yards of fresh compost into the garden. We also built our first two worm bins that will be part of our lunchroom composting program. Thanks you so much to everybody who came by to help or visit!

We planted these native plants: Low Oregon Grape, Tall Oregon Grape, Evergreen Huckleberry, Serviceberry, CA Wax Myrtle, Salal, Sword Fern, Wood Fern, Douglas Aster, and Licorice Fern.

These incredible photos are courtesy of photographer D.C. Anstett. Thank you D.C.!