West Seattle Garden Tour 2010: ‘Welcome to our jungle’

(WSB photos by Cliff DesPeaux)
During today’s West Seattle Garden Tour (co-sponsored by WSB), that sign outside the Morgan Junction garden dubbed “Treasures of Strange Origin” told visitors how the garden got started. We don’t know if 3-year-old Kieran Peterman of West Seattle could read it – somehow we suspect he didn’t need to:

Also in the Treasures of Strange Origin Garden, Jamie Murphy of West Seattle was surrounded by green:

Tourgoers admired the many attractions:

And owner Andrew Malcolm took a coffee break:

The garden was one of eight on this year’s WSGT. Visiting a sampling of them for WSB coverage, photojournalist Cliff DesPeaux discovered other small treasures, like these baby hummingbirds at the “Tree Lovers’ Garden” in Gatewood:

And a bird bath with toy boats at the “His and Hers, or Hers and His Garden” in Admiral:

And an irresistible rose in the “Master Composters’ Garden”:

From the personal experience, to the big group – standing-room-only for guest speaker Willi Galloway of DigginFood.com, at the South Seattle Community College Arboretum:

She is an expert on what some call urban farming – growing your own food – even raising chickens in your back yard:

Back out in the gardens – the Master Composter’s Garden offered everyone a hand (or two):

Splashes of color delighted in spots like this one in His Hers, Hers His:

And after all, in the end, of course, there’s simply the beauty of the plants:

The West Seattle Garden Tour is a nonprofit event that raises money for local beneficiaries – this year, the ArtsWest Theater Education Program, the Duwamish Longhouse Rain Garden Wetlands, Highland Park Elementary School, Seattle Tilth, South Seattle Community College Arboretum.

9 Replies to "West Seattle Garden Tour 2010: 'Welcome to our jungle'"

  • ellenater July 18, 2010 (8:50 pm)

    throughly enjoyed the garden pics. lovely perspectives.

  • Silly Goose July 18, 2010 (9:06 pm)

    What a glorious morning touring all the lovely gardens. They were very inspiring and lots of very kind and friendly garden owners. Great day to stop and smell the flowers!!

  • Erik July 18, 2010 (10:19 pm)

    We loved all the gardens. Now my wife has ideas…oh no!

  • Clay July 18, 2010 (10:30 pm)

    Such a great day today! Passionate Gardeners on display working with the West Seattle Garden Tour Team to present the fruits of a year long artistic endeavor. And it really showed! Thank you to all the 2010 WSGT Gardeners!

  • sun*e July 18, 2010 (11:07 pm)

    We had a great time touring the gardens today and it was the perfect day for it. “Treasures of Strange Origin” was a very ambitious garden… one that you want to return to over and over cuz you’re sure you missed something the first, second, and third time. :) I loved it! Heck, I loved ’em all!

  • Gini Johnson July 19, 2010 (1:34 am)

    An awesome tour. I can’t wait to get back into my garden. The baby hummingbirds were a thrill to see. Garden “D” stole my heart! Loved it!

  • Jim Reid July 19, 2010 (10:34 pm)

    Thank you, West Seattle blog for the lovely pictures. As a member of the West Seattle Garden Tour committee, it was a great pleasure to put on the tour this year. The gardens were all lovely, and the gardeners equally so. The tour requires the year-long planning effort of dozens of dedicated volunteers, and we love doing this for our wonderful West Seattle community.

    Again, thank you, West Seattle blog for highlighting our tour and for posting the wonderful pictures.

    Jim Reid

  • Ox July 19, 2010 (10:39 pm)

    This event is very well organized, with plenty of friendly volunteer docents.

    Here’s Master Composter Valerie Tims, briefing the Garden Angels prior to the tour.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGL0cBexrvE

  • Thiera July 25, 2010 (11:58 pm)

    Tour was GREAT, The lunches at the speaking engagement were a complete joke. $10 for a dry sandwhich and a ROTTEN apple oh and a water. Never again.

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