Have you ever wondered why Seattle’s community gardens are called “P-Patches”? The name dates back half a century to the Picardo family, which in 1973 began allowing neighbors to grow produce for the community on the family farm in Wedgewood. Similar gardens soon popped up across the city and were called P-Patch Gardens to honor the generosity of the Picardos. 

A bouquet of flowers grown at Picardo Farm and delivered to Sand Point Housing in July.

That original Picardo Farm P-Patch still exists in Wedgewood, and last year its gardeners decided to begin sharing their harvests with residents of Solid Ground’s Sand Point Housing. Sand Point residents also enjoy weekly deliveries of fresh vegetables from the nearby Magnuson Park P-Patch during the harvest season. 

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods recently sat down with former Solid Ground Case Manager Matthew White to talk about the P-Patch partnership and what having access to fresh produce means to Sand Point residents – particularly the kids. 

“I think they also see the connection to their food and learn about how it’s grown and where it comes from,” Matthew says. “So, it’s not just educating them on the benefits of eating this kind of food, but also on the work put in. There is a lot of labor that’s done at Picardo Farms, and so understanding the fact that someone worked to not only grow this, create it, but also to bring it here to us. There’s a different level of value and appreciation I see with the kids.” 

Read the rest of the article, Picardo P-Patch Partners with Sand Point Family Housing to Bring Fresh Produce, Herbs, and Flowers to Residents, on the Front Porch Blog. 

Image at top: Vegetables and flowers from Picardo Farm delivered to Sand Point Housing in July. Courtesy Picardo Farm.