By Kove Janeski, UW Organic Farming and Operations Lead, Landscape Architecture Masters Student
Coming Soon: Wapato Pond
As Seattle’s growing season ramps up, the Farm team is working hard every day to get our plots ready for this year’s crops. In addition to these seasonal tasks, the Farm is also focused on larger, long-term projects. One of these projects is the construction of a pond for the cultivation of Wapato (Sagittaria latifolia). Wapato grows naturally in shallow wetlands and marshes and produces tuberous roots. These tubers were an important source of carbohydrates in the Pacific Northwest before the introduction of the potato, so the Farm is working with the Wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House to expand cultivation of Wapato on the Farm at CUH. . Through our collaboration with the Wǝɫǝbʔaltxʷ – Intellectual House on this project, the Farm hopes to generate interest in indigenous cultural foodways and an exciting new form of aquatic, urban farming.
This pond system is inspired by David Pagan Butler’s natural pool system. The pond will be contained by a food-grade synthetic liner, which will be laid between layers of geotextile fabric. Recycled concrete or large gravel will be laid on top of these layers. To ensure that nutrients are efficiently cycled through the pond’s substrate, water will be cycled through perforated pipes that are placed within this stone layer. Solar-powered air pumps, placed at the outlets of the perforated pipes at the surface of the pond, will circulate water through these pipes.
The harvesting of Wapato will take place in late fall/early winter. Decaying plant material should first be removed from the pond, by hand or with rakes. Using tools or feet, the Wapato tubers can then be dislodged from the pond’s substrate, allowing them to float to the surface for harvest. At least ⅓ of the Wapato tubers should remain in the pond to over-winter. Wapato does not need to grow in a pond environment, but does require moist soil throughout the year. However, to limit weed growth in the Wapato plot, the Farm is planning a pond that will have about 6 inches of standing water and 2 feet of growing medium. Ultimately, Wapato is an exciting, indigenous crop that deserves a lot of attention in our region.
Celebrating Women's History Month:
Severine von Tscharmer Fleming – Farmer, activist, and founder of Agrarian Trust.
Podcast and video by What Could Possibly Go Right? hosted by Vicki Robin; an interview with Severine von Tscharner Fleming. Severine is a founder and board member of Agrarian Trust and current director of the Greenhorns, a 13 year old grassroots organization whose mission is to recruit, promote, and support the incoming generation of farmers in America.
March is National Nutrition Month, an annual campaign created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. During the month of March, the UW community is invited to celebrate National Nutrition Month together with a variety of virtual opportunities. Participate in a challenge, connect with colleagues, try new recipes, and win prizes! Check out all of the opportunities in the link below.
Join The Whole U in our 31 Days of Fruits and Vegetables Challenge this March. Over 900 UW faculty and staff have already committed to more fruits and vegetables. Together we’ll honor this food group and work to bring more color and variety onto our plates by consuming the daily recommended value of fruits and vegetables each day.
The UW Farm donates regularly to the UW Food Pantry. During peak season we also donate to nearby food banks. The links below are resources to help you or someone you know with food access.
Every year, we have the capacity to grow more food and increase our educational and research program at the UW, but not without your support. Every contribution goes to work immediately, helping us better serve students. Your support can sustain our momentum and help seed new opportunities for student internships, academic work, and future growth. Please consider making a gift to the Farm online
The Weekly Dirt is produced once a week by the University of Washington Farm, a program of the UW Botanic Gardens, School of Environmental and Forest Sciences, College of the Environment. It is published nearly year-round for educational purposes and the majority of the content is written or contributed by students and farm staff.
This issue's contributors:
Around the Farm: Kove Janeski, UW Organic Farming and Operations Lead, Landscape Architecture Masters Student Editors: Perry Acworth, Farm Manager and Chrina Munn, AmeriCorps Volunteer 2022-23 Photo Credits: Perry Acworth. Other photos retrieved from the internet and noted in sections
throughout the year. However, to limit weed growth in the Wapato plot, the Farm is planning a pond that will have about 6 inches of standing water and 2 feet of growing medium. Ultimately, Wapato is an exciting, indigenous crop that deserves a lot of attention in our region. 
