Old Farm Community Gardens in Colorado Springs, Colorado "A Place Where People Meet to Grow" Updated: May 23, 2009 If you are interested in starting a community garden in the Pikes Peak Region please visit The Pikes Peak Urban Gardens web site. "Helping Neighborhoods Build Community Gardens"

Old Farm Community Gardens is located in the Old Farm Community in Colorado Springs. All are welcome to become a member. The average plot size is 20 ft by 20 ft. Our plot fees are $40 per year. There is also a one time $20 deposit required of all new gardeners (refundable when you leave the garden). There are 50 garden plots. Our plots are presently all rented out. Each year plots do come open. We can put you on a waiting list. If you want to be considered for next year please e-mail us at: larrys80917@comcast.net We encourage organic gardening. Some of our gardeners use alpaca manure, some use cow or even horse. Since our gardens are about 6800 feet above sea level we have to know what and when to plant. Some of us employ many season extending methods to get a fruitful crop. We have had great success with onions, carrots, broccoli, squash of all kinds, spinach, lettuces, sweet corn, peppers, peas, beets, chard, collards, turnips and even artichokes. It is difficult to grow melons and tomatoes at our gardens unless they are grown under plastic tunnels. Our Community Garden is successful and enjoyable for our members. We have worked hard to establish guidelines and rules to insure future success. Please click here for a copy of "The Old Farm Community Garden Rules for 2009. For more information e-mail Larry Stebbins or call (719) 570-0745. Gardener's Planning Calendar for Late Spring 09 The best time to get your soil ready for spring is to add amendments (organic materials)the previous fall. If you haven't done this already it is not too late. Add compost or well aged manure to the soil (three inches spread over the planting area and work it in 8 to 10 inches deep). By the first week in May many of the "veteran" gardeners have onions, broccoli, radish, lettuce, beets, peas, spinach and lettuce planted. Some have watched the weather closely in April and actually planted in mid April. They are the ones that are harvesting greens in mid May. If you got started late don't despair there is still time. Get those veggies planted before the end of May. Happy Gardening!

Paul in his garden Why Garden at Old Farm? City owned property Fee includes city mandated insurance Fully fenced The 4 entrance gates are locked year round Fall BBQ/picnic Great social aspects of sharing with other gardeners Try These Favorite Varieties! Here are some favorite varieties that been enjoyed by our gardeners: Table Queen Acorn Squash, Mexibell Peppers, Kwintus Beans, Big Beef Tomatoes, Sugar Ann Snap Peas, Mokum Carrots and Spanish Roja Garlic. What Anna and I like to do is always save a small space in the garden to try out a new variety. Sometimes we find winners. This year we planted Rouge Vif d'Etampes (Cinderella) pumpkins. This heirloom (that has been around since the 1880's) was a beautiful orange-red. Rouge Vif d'Etampes Pumpkin Tips and Suggestions from our gardeners Included is information on some of our favorite vegetables, online seed catalogs, tips on how to grow great tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, onions and more, how to identify and control insect pests, how to compost and more!

Name:

Larry Stebbins, President

Email:

larrys80917@comcast.net