Greenhouse Program
Ballard HS Greenhouse Program
Ms. India Carlson took over the program over 16 years ago. The greenhouse program serves over 160 students per year. Current projects include a climate garden, a weather station, a pollinator pathway garden, a carnivorous plant bog, fruit trees and space for growing garden veggies. Future projects are working with the Seattle Farmer’s Market Association to develop education on farming and a worm bin project. Students maintain the garden during the school year and in the summer.
View our weather station conditions for current temperature, wind, humidity, rain and barometer readings!
Announcements!
Northwest Flower & Garden Festival is back!
The Northwest Flower & Garden Festival has returned! It will be February 15-19, 2023 at the Seattle Convention Center and that value-priced Tickets are now on sale including special prices for students! The five-day event will feature stunning display gardens, more than 90 seminar presentations, educational and interactive attractions too!
Ballard High School teacher receives national recognition!

May 2022: “The Garden Club of America has selected BHS teacher India Carlson for the prestigious Hull Award, given to outstanding teachers who further the early environmental education of children”.

Thank You Our Greenhouse Sale was a Success
We sold indoor and outdoor plants, veggie starts, and plant crafts. All Sales benefited the BHS greenhouse program. Watch for us again this year!
Ballard Greenhouse

The Ballard High School Greenhouse was built with donations from the Ballard High School foundation and was originally spearheaded by Ballard teacher Toni Bukowski.
The greenhouse is now named after Mrs. B to honor her dedication to sustainability and making connections to the greater community by teaching students about plants. Ms. India Carlson took over the program over 16 years ago. The greenhouse program serves over 160 students per year and continues to grow. Current projects include a climate garden to monitor weather and its effect on plants, pollination studies, growing plants for use in the food science class, and studying native plants.

Seattle Times Article, Ms. Carlson Jan 2021
Washington science teachers get creative during pandemic learning – Home Hydroponics
“Every two weeks or so, Carlson, a botany and environmental horticulture teacher at Ballard High School, dons a mask and gloves, carts out trays of plants to the back of the school and awaits her students.
She hands out colorful coleus, catnip, geraniums and succulents. The teens arrive one by one, have quick chats with the teacher they mostly see over video lessons, and depart with new flora to care for at home. On a few occasions, she’s dropped off plants at her students’ homes. This is science class during the pandemic: teachers turning typically hands-on lessons on their head, and finding lively ways to engage students learning remotely.”