Blog
November 6, 2024 To say “deciduous plant” implies seasonal leaf senescence (leaf shedding), a process that helps the plant optimize photosynthesis and nutrient efficiency. Senescence is a good survival strategy for plants in that the abundant nutrients within the leaves are not lost, they are transferred to shoots and roots, readying the plant to spring […]
6th Annual Fest is the Best!
October 3, 2016 Half way through our 6th annual cider fest I strolled down the path and saw volunteers Jennifer and Liz sitting comfortably on the orchard bench, feet dangling. I realized then that the number and quality of volunteers at this year’s Cider Fest were so superb that these two hard workers were able […]
The Apple Sleuth
September 6, 2016 Lori Brakken, apple ID expert and landscape designer, volunteers tirelessly in her efforts to further people’s enjoyment of fruit. Last weekend, she graciously invited me to observe an apple ID session. Thinking that identifying apples would be an outdoor job, I donned my hat and sunglasses and paid her a visit. We did […]
Learning and Sharing
August 15, 2016 This morning, FECO volunteer Sue Hartman hauled over 10 pounds of produce to the food bank for the 13th time. Her walk is shorter now that the University Food Bank re-located to Roosevelt Ave N, just north of NE 50th St. Thus far, FECO has contributed the following foods to the food […]
Good Bugs Bad Bugs
July 29, 2016 Last month, I attended a class on Beneficial Insects taught by instructors from Xerces (http://www.xerces.org/) and hosted by King Conservation District . Conservation biocontrol is the new catch phrase and the focus is on increasing the numbers and diversity of naturally occurring beneficial insects. The idea is that nature does a good […]
Enjoy National Pollinators Week!
June 20, 2016 The morning was hot and getting hotter, so at a recent pollinator workshop (June 4 at 21 Acres) we took an early field tour, observing various bees, nest holes for ants (flat) v. bees (ringed by excavation “dust”), and some of the experimental plantings underway. We spent the rest of the day […]
The FECO Community
May 22, 2016 Hi! My name’s Lydia and I’m a nursing student at UW and one of your neighbors. I had an assignment for my community health class. The instructions were to take 2 photos from my community that answered the following questions: What is one asset of your community? What is the most significant […]
Ready for a Rest
May 3, 2016 April 30, 2016 was the last day to spend our Seattle Neighborhood Matching Grant funds. We accomplished so much this past 14 months (see prior blog post) but we were still missing a bench. Last year, there was no time to rest but, this year, there is! We made an effort, searching […]
City Matching Grant Transforms Community Orchard
February 15, 2016 It’s time to review 13 months of orchard infrastructure work, an extensive effort funded with a Seattle Department of Neighborhood (DON) Matching Grant. We are especially thankful to Allynn Ruth (DON) for securing a four-month extension of time to complete our work. Construction took longer because we did most of the work […]
Garden Bed Potpourri
January 21, 2016 Fruits, welcome vegetables! Garden beds are nearly finished and they are lively. The soil in all of the garden beds is recycled from the soil taken out to make the path. We outlined where garden beds would go and the excavators dumped soil in those spaces. This tactic saved labor but there […]
Adding Art
January 1, 2016 We are pleased to unveil two new art pieces in the orchard, both recently installed and both splendid. Chris Lemmen of Steel Bamboo is the creator of the floating bumble bee (bombus mixtus). The bee is made of metal. Landscape art is a specialty for Chris. The bee is headed north toward […]