Experimenting with Fertilization Methods at the UW Farm: Yunpeng Feng
Yunpeng worked with his faculty advisor, Elizabeth Wheat, to design and implement an experiment on the farm using different fertilizers. Read more!
Goal: The purpose of this experiment is to examine whether using a combination of three organic fertilizers, kelp meal, blood meal, and crab meal is more effective than only using a single dose of Bio·Bloom™.
Subject: The plant we chose for this particular experiment is kale.
Student Spotlight: Regina Wandler

Regina Wandler is a graduate student in the Master of Environmental Horticulture program, within the University of Washington’s School of Environmental and Forest Sciences. For her masters project, she is working with UW Botanic Gardens to develop a continuing education program for restoration professionals in the Pacific Northwest.
Regina grew up in Everett, WA (pretty local!) and went to UW for her undergraduate education as well.
Pittosporum (Pitta=pitch, Sporum=seed) : August 17 – 30, 2015
Native to New Zealand (and Australia, Asia, and Africa). Flowers are sweetly scented and seeds are coated with a sticky substance giving the plant its name, pitch-seed.
All plants below can be seen growing in the New Zealand Forest in the Pacific Connections Garden.
1) Pittosporum eugenioides Lemonwood
New Zealand’s tallest Pittosporum, P. eugenioides can reach 40 feet.
Its yellow-green leaves with curly edges have a strong scent of lemon when crushed.
Cilantro Root Recipes; Thai Grilled Chicken
Supo Techagumthorn
Some love it. Others hate it. Few are in between. Introducing, the most polarizing plant of all: the cilantro. While its leaves have taken up most of the limelight, the plant’s aromatic roots have been almost forgotten by the culinary world.
Not anymore.
We’re here to share some delicious cilantro root recipes that will be irresistible to even those who detest cilantro.
Glimpse into the past – Dr. James R. Clark
By John A. Wott, Director Emeritus
Since its founding 35 years ago, the Center for Urban Horticulture (now a part of the University of Washington Botanic Gardens) has produced numerous students, staff, and faculty who have continued on to illustrious horticultural careers. A few days ago, I received this photograph of Dr. Harold B. Tukey, Jr., founding director, and associate professor James R.
Read moreWhat’s Growing on the UW Farm: August
Cyrena Thibodeau, one of this year’s student staff members, wrote up an update about what’s happening on the farm!
Greetings UW farm fans! Here’s a glimpse of what is going on at the UW the farm in August:
What we are growing at both of our sites hasn’t changed much from our last update but we are harvesting peppers, eggplants, okra, tomatoes, parsley, dill, cut flowers, basil, cilantro, onions, bush beans, lettuce, cutting greens, chard, kale, collards, cukes, summer squash, cantaloupe, watermelon, cured garlic, fennel, and leeks will be ready soon!
Intercropping at the UW Farm: Bradyn Kawcak
Bradyn Kawcak, one of our student staff members, writes about what he’s been working on at the farm.
Over the summer I have been working as an intern with the UW Farm, where I have been constantly growing and selling delicious produce every week. Seeding, planting, making beds, weeding, repairing irrigation and harvesting are just a few of the daily tasks I am responsible for.
Leafless in Seattle
1) Clematis afoliata
Native to the dry, eastern side of New Zealand.
Now growing in our New Zealand Focal Forest.
Eventually becomes a wiry mound with fragrant spring flowers.
2) Hakea epiglottis
Native to Tasmania and growing outside our Education Office.
Hakea needs sun and dry, infertile soil.
The round “stems” are true leaves despite their appearance.
3) Phyllocladus aspleniifolius
Another Tasmanian native, this tree prefers moist lowlands.
Read moreTravel to South Africa – a Biodiversity Wonderland!
Join UW Botanic Gardens’ Director Sarah Reichard for a plant-lovers dream vacation to South Africa.
Read moreAn Artist’s Reception of Color and Wandering
This post is brought to you by our summer communications volunteer, Saffron Hefta-Gaub. Saffron is a sophomore at the Bush School in Seattle, Washington, and we are delighted to share her perspectives on UW Botanic Gardens’ spaces and programs.
July 23, 2015
The “Lake, Lattice, Stone: Requiem for a Garden” artist’s reception I went to on this day offered not only a unique opportunity into art, but also insight into the Elisabeth C.
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