New buildings are on the way!
THE ORCHARD GARDENS WILL REMAIN OPEN DURING CONSTRUCTION.
about
Orchard Gardens at Holy Cross is a community-driven, non-profit run entirely by volunteers. Thanks to an agreement between the former and current land owners, we provide a welcoming green space in the city for people to access good soil and light in order to garden, connect with their neighbors, and learn, all while preserving the cherished heirloom orchard. We strive to foster a kind, neighborly community rooted in the restorative power of nature and the joy of sharing the garden’s bounty.
our roots
Orchard Gardens at Holy Cross hosts an heirloom orchard composed of apple, pear and plum trees. The land was formerly owned by Holy Cross Lutheran Church, which was built in the early 1960’s on the site of a former small farm to serve a growing Bellevue community. Bellevue at that time was semi-rural and populated by many such small farms, but housing developments, such as Newport Hills and Somerset were being developed and the area needed churches, schools and shopping. The apple trees probably date back to the 1930’s. The original farmer owned quite a bit of land in the area and slowly sold it off until Holy Cross purchased the remaining almost three acres. The farm house was used as the Mustard Seed preschool for many years and some of the outbuildings served the church.
An aerial view (right) from 1936 shows how rural the area once was.
garden map
Here is a map of the current garden.
Orchard
We nurture about 28 fruit trees, many of which are heirloom varieties. Learn more here.
P-Patch
Grow your own veggies and flowers! Learn more here.
Native Plant Garden
We have begun building a native plant demonstration garden in a small corner. Come and visit to learn what might thrive in your garden at home.
Buildings
The light grey homes you see in the NE corner are part of new a Habitat for Humanity housing project. Orchard Gardens will be open during construction.
community partners
A special thanks to these long term Partners:
City Fruit
Tilth’s Soil and Water Stewardship Program
King Conservation District
Jubilee REACH Food For Families Program
HABITAT for HUMANITY SKKC
Former Members of Holy Cross Lutheran Church
NW WA Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church
We’re so grateful to ALL the individuals and groups who share of themselves to keep good things growing in the Orchard Gardens. Thank You !
faq
Isn’t this a city park?
Actually, no. We currently receive no funding or help with grounds work from the city. We do believe this area of Bellevue benefits greatly from a green space where people can connect with nature, so we welcome respectful guests during our hours of operation. The land is privately owned by Habitat for Humanity.
What are your hours of operation?
These vary seasonally. Generally we are open from an hour after sunrise to sunset. Group events are typically scheduled as early as 8am, ending as late as 8pm in Summer.
What’s going on with the construction?
Our local branch of Habitat for Humanity has purchased the land, and is in the process of building new homes on a portion of it. We are so thrilled and truly grateful that our Habitat partners have agreed to use this site to provide new opportunities for home ownership in the community AND to allow The Orchard Gardens to remain as a green oasis. Please bear with us all during this time of transition. Good things are coming!
Where can people park during the construction?
Please find nearby public parking. Sorry for the inconvenience.
For special events, we will work to make arrangements with nearby churches for use of their lots. Please refer to the event announcement for details.
Can anyone just come and pick fruit anytime?
For general picking, it’s best to come during a scheduled Apple Picking Day. If you can’t make these days, and are interested in picking fruit, either for yourself or for donation, please email an Orchard Steward to make arrangements. Sometimes a fruit isn’t ready for picking or needs special preparation. NOTE: The heirloom quince fruit are reserved for sale to local restaurants, which is our primary source of funding for grounds care. We kindly ask that you refrain from picking the quince.
Thanks for your understanding.
How can I get a P-Patch plot?
We’re glad you’re interested. Learn more here.
How can I find out about events and volunteering?
See our events page here. And learn about volunteering options here.
Hello, Neighbor,
We love getting our hands dirty. We support local food banks by sharing part of our bountiful p-patch harvest and have fun work parties to keep common areas of the p-patch nice and tidy. We have lots of volunteer opportunities to connect with nature and your team mates. If this is your kind of community, please come by for a visit and/or sign up for news and event updates.
