If the video link inspires you to “come garden with us”, then send a request to email@wpharvestcenter.org in the near future to reserve a spot.

We held our first planning session May 4, 2012 at Aspen Valley Ranch.  The group included Ron Beyers, Ron Capen, Nanna Myer, Victoria Solano, and Lee Willoughby.  Joe Morin was unable to attend, but sent a sampling of quinoa and Andean Lupin seeds.  Several other people who will add valuable expertise and support are cited in the accompanying AncientGrainsIntro.  Also, read Mary Menz’ article “Ancient Grains: What’s Old Is New Again”.

Join us 2-5pm at the Woodland Park Library for a celebration of Earth Day on April 20, 2012.  Over 20 exhibits sponsored by local school, community and businesses will highlight environmental, food and energy issues.

The Pikes Peak Courier View carried a nice story announcing the event.

The lineup included: Introduction by Lee Willoughby. Mary Menz described methods for planting hops and her use of covered beds. Kathleen Robson described her transition from growing outdoors to growing outdoors with covered beds. Carla Anderson suggested flowers, grasses and outdoor plants which are available locally and grown successfully up here. During the Break, Jim & Earlyn Cowman sold their locally adapted seeds.  During the remainder of the workshop, Lee & Kathy Willoughby provided details for starting seeds and caring for seedlings through the transplant process.  Instructions for building a 4′ x 8′ covered raised bed were also provided.

March 11, 2012 was a great day for harvesting veggies at the dome and posing for a photo in the warm, sunny afternoon while facing south and admiring Pikes Peak.  Kathy and Laura form a great harvest team.  After washing and trimming, Lee donated the 5 pounds of produce to the Community Cupboard on Monday morning.

Early in 2012, three articles of interest to Harvest Center members appeared in the Pikes Peak courier view: 1) the role of The Harvest Center about the local food movement; 2) the ribbon cutting for a 22 ft dome greenhouse at Cresson Elementary in Cripple Creek; and, 3) personal accounts of local retirees facing the challenges of retirement during the “great recession”.

Congratulations to the community of gardeners in Westcliffe, CO for establishing a Seed Lending Library where “… you to check seed out for free, grow it out in your garden, and return twice as much seed as you took – or any amount.”  Click the photo above to visit their web page.

Greens on their way to the Community Cupboard

On this snowy day, Ron C. and Laura planted seedlings while Kathy & Lee harvested beautiful greens. Each experience with friends in the dome greenhouse is accompanied by an expression of gratitude.  Kathy refers to volunteers as “Dome Angels”.

Ron B. and Lee planted three seed trays today–Galilee Spinach, Brightlight Swiss Chard, dwarf pak choi, Claremont lettuce, Winter Density lettuce, Golden celery and Shiraz beets. We also tended to the chores which always bubble up to grab your attention when gardening. This was a good day for high altitude gardening in the Rocky Mountains… if you have a dome greenhouse!

(Scroll down for link to event report in comment by admin)
We’ll begin with an overview of how to select seeds and seed companies in order to maximize likelihood of success. You’ll learn which seeds to plant indoors and which to seed directly outdoors and when. Some varieties thrive when started indoors and others don’t. We’ll have a few varieties of locally adapted heirloom seeds available for purchase.

An excellent cook from Westcreek will share her secrets for maintaining a steady supply of kitchen herbs year-round. She grows certain herbs indoors all the time and others outside during our so called “growing season”. Everyone should have an herb garden, but few do. Kim’s presentation may well inspire you to start cooking with freshly grown herbs.

During the break, visit with Jim and Earlyn to learn about their heirloom seeds. Jon will show his range of growing boxes. Kris will be available to sign up new Harvest Center members.

We are very pleased that Lois will present “The Intersection of Nutrition and Garden Planning.” This is an rare opportunity to hear a nutritionist with excellent gardening skills explain how to plan a nutritionally-dense garden for our high altitude setting.

Organic veggie treats will be provided by Community Partnership Family Resource Center. Admission is free; donations are always appreciated.