February’s sub-zero temperatures have us craving warmer weather, springtime sunshine, and garden-grown produce. While Colorado may not seem like a backyard gardener’s paradise with its relatively low precipitation and chilly temps, it is actually quite fertile during the summer months. Some of us may lack the lawn space to plant a garden while others simply desire to connect and cultivate alongside other Boulder County residents. Fortunately, there’s a community garden plot for that. Here are some of our favorite local gardens, returning this year and prime for the planting.
Growing Gardens
For those new to Growing Gardens’ community plots, you’re in luck. Registration just opened up on February 12. This nonprofit has approximately 400 plots in seven different locations throughout Boulder County. For years, it has been giving back to our local community in more ways than one. Growing Gardens offers a plethora of programs for youth, families, and adults that educate on renewable resources, sustainable planting techniques, and so much more.
These plots go quickly so make your reservation ASAP. If you missed out on snagging a spot in a nearby plot this year, jump on the waitlist or check out a gardening class. Learn how to landscape with perennials, can your garden fresh tomatoes, bee-keep, and more.
Boulder County CSU Extension Community Garden
In conjunction with Boulder County, Colorado State University offers ample garden plots within our community. CSU provides 300 or 600 square foot plots and encourages the use of non-chemical weed-management practices. The CSU Extension garden has yet to release information about this year’s planting season but invites interested parties to sign up for its newsletter.
This is a fantastic group to learn from and grow with. A variety of horticulture-focused classes can spread education and awareness about our state’s native plants, healthy tilling practices, and harvesting strategies so that the integrity of the land is maintained and less produce is wasted.
Second Start Community Garden
Second Start Community Garden is the oldest organic community garden in Longmont, Colorado. The nonprofit behind it has a mission to invite people of all walks of life to cultivate fresh, healthy produce that can feed their family, friends, and neighbors, regardless of experience, physical ability, or financial background. Second Start believes that gardening is for everyone and better connects us to the land, the food we eat, and our communities. Registration for new gardeners recently opened up. Reserve your plot here.
Community gardens offer much more than open space to plant. They teach us how to cultivate the land we live in – a skill no longer passed down through the generations, but one we must pursue on our own. Knowing the earth, learning the seasons, and growing your own produce is incredibly rewarding and good for the local environment and economy. Spring is just around the corner so it’s time to start planting.