Sustainability at Interbay P Patch

The Interbay P-Patch garden is committed to sustainable practices in its ongoing effort to enhance a community space. One definition of sustainability is using resources wisely to meet the needs of current generations, while preserving resources to meet the needs of future generations. While organic gardening has obvious environmental connections, Interbay also meets needs of society and economy through donating food to food banks, putting used materials to new purposes, saving materials from the waste stream, and building community through social activities.

Impact on the Environment: All P-Patches are organic gardens, using no chemical herbicides or pesticides. We use waste plant materials, leaves collected from around the city, and grass clippings from organic landscapers to make compost and mulch to enrich the soil naturally. Used coffee grounds from local coffee shops, decomposed kitchen waste from worm bins, and cover crops also improve soil quality and fertility. Wood chips from fallen trees are used for garden paths. Interbay uses a solar panel/battery system to run lights and the recirculating pump in the gardens fountain kiosk.

Impact on Society: Interbay is dedicated to building community, breaking down urban isolation, and helping those in need. The courtyard serves as a venue for social events that bring our community together. The garden donates more than two tons of fresh produce a year to food banks and feeding programs. The donations include produce grown by volunteers in dedicated sections of the garden and contributions from individual P-Patch gardeners. Using funds obtained from a City of Seattle grant, Interbay P-Patch has also built ergonomic raised beds for disabled gardeners.

Impact on Economy: Interbay P-Patch has a long tradition of giving used materials new life. By this practice, we save money, save the environment by keeping materials out of the waste stream, and contribute to society by making the garden an inviting place to be. All this is accomplished with hundreds of hours of volunteer labor.

Sustainability represents a frame of mind put into action. At every level of society, government or private enterprise, all ages, cultures or conditions have the ability to embrace the frame of mind to become sustainable as a matter of conscience and personal choice.