Thistle P-Patch: South Beacon Hill Community Garden Guide

Frequently asked questions

Thistle is at 8420 42nd Ave S in South Beacon Hill, near the cross streets of M L King Jr Way S and S Cloverdale St.

According to Seattle Department of Neighborhoods data, Thistle has 77 garden plots on a site of 130,680 square feet.

Thistle was established in 1974 as part of the City of Seattle P-Patch community gardening program.

Plot availability and sign-up details are handled through the P-Patch program, so check the official Thistle page on seattle.gov for current information.

Thistle at a glance

Picture a generous patchwork of beds: the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods records Thistle at 130,680 square feet, or about three acres of growing space. All of that ground is divided into 77 individual plots, each one tended by a community gardener.

Thistle took root in 1974, so this corner of southeast Seattle has been producing food and flowers for five decades. To find it on a map, look for the cross streets the city lists for the garden, M L King Jr Way S and S Cloverdale St.

Plots, rules and planning your visit

Thistle is part of the P-Patch community gardening program, which the city manages through the Department of Neighborhoods. Before you head over, check the official Thistle P-Patch page for plot availability, waitlists, garden rules and contact information. Weighing a few options around town? Browse our guide to all community gardens in Seattle to see other P-Patch sites.

Parks, gardens and a library within a mile

Step beyond the garden beds and you will find this part of South Beacon Hill well stocked with public spaces. Here is what sits nearby, measured in straight-line distance from Thistle:

Dunlap Elementary School (a city landmark), 0.3 mi
Rainier Beach Playfield, 0.4 mi
NewHolly Rockery Community/Market Garden, 0.6 mi
Benefit Playground, 0.6 mi
Othello Playground, 0.6 mi
Rainier Beach Branch library, 0.6 mi
NewHolly Power Garden, 0.8 mi
Pritchard Island Beach, 0.8 mi

Garden lovers can make a day of it, since the NewHolly Rockery and NewHolly Power Garden are both less than a mile away, putting several community gardens within one easy outing. Finish with a waterfront stop at Pritchard Island Beach on the same side of town.