Maple Leaf Greenhouse Updates

The SGGN Sprouts project has been through many changes in the past years, as we anticipated the closure in 2024 of our long-time and beloved Ballard Sprouts location.

Aside from finding new places to grow sprouts — in 2022, at Heron’s Nest in West Seattle, and in 2023, on Beacon Hill at Mid-Beacon Farm — we are delighted to have now secured a third site, in the Maple Leaf neighborhood, in partnership with Fairview Church and Child Center (844 NE 78th Street)!

Fairview had an available greenhouse and enthusiastic support for the idea within their own community. We feel that this third location will enable our Sprouts project to more efficiently while serving P-Patch and community gardens in different Seattle areas.

There have been obstacles to overcome. The 8’ x 20’ greenhouse needed to be moved from the east side of the property to the west parking lot for better accessibility, more separation from the child center’s operations, and better light for our sprouts-to-be. Additionally, details about water, electricity, storage and access needed to be resolved. In June, Seattle Giving Garden Network came to an agreement with the church, and work began in earnest.

A generous church member built our new foundation and donated the materials while SGGN secured a grant from Northwest Horticulture Society to help cover other project costs, and from August into October, 17 stalwart volunteers showed up for six Saturday work parties to deconstruct, clean, and rebuild the greenhouse. It really is beautiful! The volunteers included many former Ballard Sprouts volunteers, current volunteers from Heron’s Nest, members of the church, and community gardeners in the Maple Leaf neighborhood.

Work to be done yet includes completing an electrical connection, purchasing and storing materials, and adding signage and security. We anticipate being ready to go in mid-February with seeding, transplanting, fertilizing, and hardening for the plants. Our goal this season will be to seed 5,000 plants that will be grown by Giving Gardeners, and in turn donated as food for people in our community.

To power our project, we are looking to form a new team of volunteers that will be scheduled to work in the greenhouse from February through April, each contributing about an hour each week. Some optional Saturday group work parties will also be organized for seeding and transplanting. Training and mentoring will be provided by our team leads from the current Sprouts volunteers. Volunteers can work together or alone in the greenhouse. If you are interested in volunteering with us, please email info@sggn.org and we will be in touch with you in January!

Barbara Bash, Maple Leaf Sprouts Volunteer Coordinator, SGGN