Points of Interest
One hundred gardeners each with their own green thumbprint means there are always new things to explore while strolling through the community plots. But let’s begin your virtual tour with some must-see features and landmarks that give our rooftop its unique character and can be enjoyed year round.
1963 Ford Galaxie
It’s been a spell since the halcyon days of the space race, but you can still find an American Classic of the era hanging out on our roof. Originally owned by a neighborhood resident, we refurbished this iridescent purple beast into a groovy planter. It makes for a great photo op and its passenger plants enjoy the ride.
Giving Garden
The Galaxie is parked next to the Giving Garden, where gardeners and folks in the wider UpGarden community grow organic produce to donate to local food banks. If you’re an apartment dweller and dream of getting your hands in some dirt, volunteering at the Giving Garden is your chance to do just that while meeting some cool folks.
Airstream Tool Shed
Smack in the middle of the P-Patch is an Airstream trailer (a second vintage jewel in our crown) that serves as the community shed where UpGardeners borrow tools to tend their plots. The trailer sits next to some beautiful public lawns and a pergola, offering our guests a serene place to relax. Sink back in a chair or sprawl out on the grass.
Pollinator Beds
The pollinator beds encircling UpGarden are resplendent with color. Our gardeners plant these beds with flowers that our flying friends can’t resist. This mutual exchange of currency is what keeps the garden going. The birds and the bees feed on pollen and nectar and in turn pollinate the fruit and vegetable plants that feed us.
Skyline and Space Needle Views
Every Seattle visitor guide tells you about the “Frasier” view that awaits after you hoof it up the hill to Kerry Park, but here is what they don’t know: UpGarden has one of the best views in Seattle. And instead of crowding around a fence with subwoofers as soundtrack, you get to take it all in surrounded by the raw beauty of nature.
Touch and Smell Garden
Once you make your way to the northwest corner of UpGarden, you will find the Touch and Smell Garden, designed with the needs of our visually challenged visitors in mind. But all guests are free to enjoy this different way to explore the garden, the prickle of thyme in your nose or the feathery touch of yarrow across the back of your hand.
Apiary
We are lucky to have our very own bee yard that provides our plots with a local pollinator source. In the early summer peak season, our four hives house between 50 and 60 thousand bees each. When you do the math, that totals just about a quarter million! Stop by the southeast corner of the garden to see what all the buzz is about.
Time to Go Aerial
From our perch on top of Mercer St. Garage, UpGarden is easily missed by pedestrians on the street below. And those who do find their way up to the p-patch can have a hard time taking it all in from ground level. Well then get ready to fly with this bird’s eye view of our urban oasis.
Let’s take a moment to stop and smell the flowers…
In Full Bloom
Putting in the Work
Everything up on the roof is volunteer powered. In addition to tending their own plots, UpGardeners are required to put in at least eight hours annually on community projects such as revamping the pollinator beds or weeding the Giving Garden. We call them work parties but have a lot of fun with it anyway. Perhaps you would like to join us for the next one?
Follow Us on Instagram
Now that we are at the end of your virtual garden tour, we would like to invite you to follow us on socials. The latest garden pics, volunteer opportunities and event announcements all happen first on Instagram. Then put away the phone and get up to the roof to see what is blooming in real life outside of the screen. There is no better place to unplug and contemplate nature’s bounty.
