University District P-Patch Community Garden — Local services in Seattle

I thought I'd pick up a new hobby, maybe get a chance to meet people in our community that I wouldn't get a chance to in my day to day. I'm sure most people with plots here are nice and the lady who oriented me was very nice. But there is a very toxic and vocal type of gardner here that is extremely territorial and will harass you endlessly if you don't look like you belong here to them. I have been unsolicitedly offered directions to the nearest food bank (this has happened at least two dozen times), reminded that "people actually pay to use these plots, you know!" (this one too), lock and secure the tool shed when they see me, and of course make small talk about what my patch number is at any opportunity. One time a fellow patcher started harassing me after I'd just spent the last hour putting in raised beds. Is that a real problem? Trespassers coming in and developing plots of strangers? Any attempts to communicate how bad these things make me feel are immediately dismissed and result in a confused look and reassurances that they were just "being nice". I did really enjoy gardening for a brief minute, but feeling unwelcome and knowing you're presence just minding your own business is making people uncomfortable sucks. I can't get myself to even go there until the evening which is outside of hours and it's much more difficult to keep a clean patch when your not able to see anything. I know the bullies here make up a very small number of the gardeners, but wasn't looking for new ways to feel bad about myself when I picked up gardening, so if you're reading reviews hoping to get a patch at least one may be...

It's a beautiful garden! Open to the public to view and walk through to enjoy being around the plants. It's a great resource for local gardeners who don't have their own space and/or are looking for community. If you're a visitor please follow the posted rules and don't pick any produce or harm anything...

Great opportunity to grow your own vegetables, flowers etc if you don't have a yard at home. Grateful for the opportunity that Seattle has provided. I wish it was easier to meet other gardeners more frequently and potentially make new like...