Healthy Street Planters
For new permanent Healthy Street locations, neighbors can opt to replace the standard concrete sign base with planters. Planters are installed by SDOT and maintained by neighbors!
Updated April 10, 2024
What's Happening Now?
Adopt a Planter!
Thank you to everyone who signed up to adopt a planters along the Wallingford Healthy Street. You should have received email confirmations from us with additional requests for more information.
Construction Happening Soon
We are installing two locations, the Aurora-Licton Springs and Central District Healthy Streets, over 2024 and 2025! The segments of the Aurora-Licton Springs Healthy Street on Fremont Ave N and N 100th St west of Aurora Ave will be installed as soon as summer 2024, and the remaining segments will be installed in 2025. Soon, we’ll open planter adoption sign-ups for the segments that will be installed in 2024, and then accept sign-ups for the remaining segments in 2025. The segment of the Central District Healthy Streets on 22nd Ave from E Union St to E Columbia St will be installed as soon as summer 2024, and the segment on E Columbia St from 12th Ave to 22nd Ave will be installed in 2025. We’ll be communicating directly with neighbors along these segments to offer them the opportunity to sign up for planters.
If you are interested in adopting a planter but don’t see your Healthy Street listed above, it is still under evaluation. We’ll be wrapping up our evaluation processes by the end of the year, and if additional Healthy Street segments become permanent, we’ll open planter adoption forms for them in 2025.
Healthy Street Plant Pick-Ups: Beacon Hill, Ballard, and Greenwood
After SDOT crews install planters at requested locations on Healthy Streets, we host plant pick-up events where we give each neighbor who adopted a planter a set of starter plants. SDOT’s Urban Forestry team designs the plant options, and neighbors pre-select their preferred plant design. At these plant pick-up events, neighbors can also learn how to care for their plants from members of the Healthy Streets team!
About Healthy Street Planters
For Healthy Streets that are becoming permanent, SDOT can install planters at intersections along the Healthy Street (see diagram below). SDOT will open the planter sign-up form for specific Healthy Street locations based on the installation schedule for permanent treatments.
If you’re interested in adopting planters along your Healthy Street, please subscribe to Healthy Streets email updates, since we will notify you via email about open planter sign-up forms.
This webpage will also list the Healthy Street locations that have planter sign-ups currently open. If you don’t see your Healthy Street location on the planter sign-up form, your location is scheduled for a later installation, and we will open the planter sign-up form closer to installation. Depending on availability, we can also provide starter plants to help those wanting to adopt a planter. The planter sign-up form will have various plant options for you to decide.
Neighborhood Responsibilities
Coordinate: If you do not live directly at the corner where a Healthy Street Planter can be placed, you can work with your neighbors to create a partnership for a Healthy Street planter.
Maintain: Healthy Street planters will need to be watered and maintained by neighbors. You can find helpful tips and information for maintaining your planter. on our fact sheet, or see our FAQ below.
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do I water the plants in my planter?
When you first plant new plants, top water (with a hose or watering can) the plants to moisten the soil and provide initial moisture for the plants. In addition to top watering, fill the water reservoir via the opening at the top of the planter, until water just begins to weep out of the drain hole at the planter base. This indicates that the reservoir is full. Do not overfill, as overfilling can lead to overflow and water damage.
Over the next few days, top water the new plants 2-3 more times. Once the plants are established, you no longer need to top water, the water reservoir will supply all necessary moisture for the plants. Keep topping up the water reservoir, especially when the weather is hot and dry (June – September).
How much water does the planter’s water reservoir store?
The water reservoir’s full capacity is 50 gallons of water.
Can I add fertilizer to the planter?
You can add liquid or water-soluble nutrients to the water reservoir to encourage plant growth.
Will the planter impact visibility on my street?
The planter and signage have been carefully vetted by SDOT’s Traffic Operations team to ensure visibility for people driving, walking, biking, and rolling. However, neighbors who have adopted a planter must prune their plants as needed to maintain visibility. For open plants, please keep them below the sign, and for dense plants, please keep them about half the height of the post (between the planter and the sign).
How do I care for my planter in the winter?
Since the walls of the planter are hollow, you don’t need to drain the planter reservoir during the winter, because any potential ice will expand into the hollow walls. Winter is Seattle’s rainy season, so you may not need to fill up the reservoir as often in the winter.
Can I paint my planter?
We do not recommend painting your planter. The manufacturer does not guarantee that paint will adhere to the planters, and paint could compromise the planter’s UV protection.
How do I best care for and maintain the planter?
Please regularly inspect the planter for any signs of leaks, cracks, or wear and tear. Clean the planter and reservoir components periodically to prevent algae growth or clogs. Check that the drainage holes are clear and not blocked by soil or debris.
If you have additional questions about the Healthy Streets planters, please email HealthyStreets@seattle.gov, or call (206) 900-8760.