Garfield High School Landscape Renovation

Completed by UW Landscape Plant Management Students, Spring 2000

Initial Site Visit

This year, our students decided to create three conceptual gardens. All of the gardens were installed on the west side of Garfield High School, extending from the existing Peace Garden northward.

Below are descriptions of the three gardens and pictures of our weekly work parties. Click on any picture to see the image enlarged.

Site 1 Theme: Evolution Garden

The Evolution Garden site consisted of a two-level grassy terrace bordered by the school building and an ivy covered slope. Several social paths existed, leading students between the terraces, the school, and the sidewalk and bus stop on the site's western edge. Only a few plants existed on the site, most of which were invasive, overgrown, or both. The majority of the site is very sunny, although the southern end receives partial shade, creating a variety of microhabitats. The students decided to create a teaching garden showing plant diversity and evolution, from primitive ferns to gymnosperms to more advanced flowering plants. The plants were selected to demonstrate a variety of taxonomic and evolutionary characteristics and were arranged to show evolutionary progression. We prepared the site by removing the English ivy (Hedera helix), grading the slope, and spreading a thick layer of mulch. Existing plants were pruned and salvaged when possible, though some had to be removed due to disease or poor health. The social paths were incorporated into the design by installing stairs through the terraces, and temporary bamboo fencing was installed to protect the establishing plants.

The site prior to renovation; upper terrace on left, lower terrace on right

Arborizing existing plants for safety and aesthetic reasons

Removing English ivy plants and roots

Removing turf to help define the planting bed and contain the mulch

Spreading soil to create a base for the stairs

Installing stairs to replace a social path

Preparing plants for installation in the freshly mulched site

Installing plants in the new garden

The finished Evolution Garden; views from below (left) and above (right)

The Evolution Garden before and one year after renovation
(move mouse over picture to see it change)

Site 2 Theme: Herb Garden

This site is located on the west side of the greenhouse, bounded by a loading dock to the south and a dividing wall to the north. The area had a slope of approximately 50% and had been overrun with invasive species, primarily English ivy and Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor). The site is bordered by a Camellia and a Pieris japonica and contains a stairway leading to the greenhouse. After analyzing the site, the students decided to create an intimate garden that could be used to teach students about herbs and ethnobotany. The students decided to install terraces to allow easy access to the garden as well as add another function (access) for the existing stairways. After removing the invasive species, the students spread mulch over the site to prevent soil erosion. Since the soil has a moderately high lead concentration, the mulch also helped to prevent the emission of lead-laden dust from the bare soil. The existing trees were arborized to improve visibility, safety, and light penetration to the site. After the terraces were created, a variety of herbs were planted and arranged according to their light requirements and mature sizes. Finally, small signs were created to help visitors identify the plants and to create a more personalized garden.

The Herb Garden site prior to rehabilitation

The site following ivy removal

Cleaning up and arborizing existing shrubs

Construction materials ready to be used

Digging postholes to prepare for terrace installation

Building the terraces

Inspecting the new terraces

Garfield students move soil and mulch near the newly installed terrace

Leveling the terrace posts

An educational sign

The finished Herb Garden

Site 3 Theme: Native Garden

The third site was directly south of the Peace Garden installed by Garfield students several years ago. The new garden was installed between the sidewalk and the building in an area bordered by a loading dock and the Peace Garden. This area, which receives heavy sunlight, had a very steep, sandy slope covered with English ivy and other invasive species. Since the Garfield community wanted a garden that required minimal maintenance, the students decided to create a teaching garden planted with Northwest natives that were drought tolerant and could resist insects and disease. Since safety was a concern, the site was planted primarily with groundcovers and low-growing shrubs, leaving a clear line of visibility; existing plants were also arborized for safety purposes. The students decided to extend the retaining wall that exists in the Peace Garden, creating better continuity while also providing seating for visitors. After the retaining wall was built, native plants were installed and mulched. The combination of the plants and wall should not only create a more pleasant and educational garden, but also reduce erosion.

The site prior to renovation (but after ivy removal)

The excavated site prepared for retaining wall installation

Laying out the concrete pieces for the retaining wall

Determining the best placement for maximum wall stability

More retaining wall installation

Checking to make sure the wall is level

The finished retaining wall

Loading mulch to apply to the site

Removing weeds and turf from a nearby tree pit

Delivering plants for the gardens

Installing and watering new plants

Installing a soaker hose to help water the new plants

The finished Native Garden

The 2000 UW Class Workers

Thank you to the following donors of time and supplies!

• Paul Aquino, Jr., Terry Calloway, Kim Du, Carlos Enriquez, Noah Girgis (the super star worker), Charles, Daniel Hickstein, Andrew Horsfall, Micah Horwith, Mitch Johnson, Tsuki Kaneko, Sarah Ray Lautengco, Viet Luu, Jason Mayeda, Leanne Plancic, Devin O'Reilly, Melody Rynerson, Sebastian Schaad, Poppy Sclocum, Iskander Syed, and Mark Strelecky: Garfield High School student volunteers
• Ms Jenni's Fifth Period Ecology Class: Help with site preparation and landscape care
• Jenni Maughan: Garfield Biology Teacher (thanks for the watermelon!)
• Ria Hasagewa, Mary Messelman, Barbara Radin, Barbara Schaad-Lampere, Marty Strelecky, and Teresa Strelecky: Parent volunteers
• Fred Bannister: Vice Principle of Garfield High School
• Cheryl Chow: Principle of Garfield High School
• Dr. Linda Chalker-Scott: UW Faculty and instigator of this project
• Mary Joe deBeck and M. Gretchen DeBecker: Seattle Public Schools
• Geroge Gladstone: Garfield High School Faculty, for help with brick work
• Jim Fiori, Fred Hoyt, and Barbara Selemon: Staff at the Center for Urban Horticulture
• Emily Griswold: UW/CUH Graduate student, for assistance with plant taxonomy and evolution
• John Hushagen: Mulch donation
• Ralph Minor: Peace Garden Coordinator and Garfield High School faculty
• Terri Small: plant donations for the Native Garden
• The Strelecky family: dump truck usage
• John Sullivan and Bill Alexander: back-hoe usage for ivy removal and concrete donations from Dirtt, Inc.