Colorado Springs Community Gardens

An urban vegetable garden needs more than just the gardener who tends the rows of lettuce and fresh zucchini. It also needs a sense of friendship with fellow humans. What's the point of harvesting a plump one pound tomato without another gardener to show it to?

Gardeners are a bit like fishermen. They're always pointing to their catch of the day. Tending a garden is best enjoyed as a social pursuit. Neighborhood gardens give an excellent excuse to get outside in the sunshine and rub elbows with fellow gardeners.

Colorado Springs has few community gardens. The ones that do exist in the city have been here for some time. The three gardens in town are filled to capacity with gardeners. The three community gardens are filling their waiting lists for the 2010, growing season.

Bear Creek Garden Association
The community gardens at Bear Creek are located in the Bear Creek regional park, at 21st and West Rio Grande streets. A 20x40 plot will cost $80.00 per season. There is also a $25.00 deposit. Included with your fee is tilling and water. The association only allows organic gardening. No chemical fertilizers are allowed. Part of your gardening experience will include the lost art of hand watering your garden.

Old Farm Community Gardens
The Old Farm garden is located in the Old Farm community toward the northeast section of Colorado Springs. The garden plots are 20x20 with an annual fee of $40.00 per year and a $20.00 deposit for new gardeners. Organic gardening is encouraged at Old Farm gardens but not required. The only banned chemicals are herbicides. It's not a good idea to even think about spraying a weed killer. If you are caught in that activity, it will mean an automatic expulsion from the garden. Your deposit will be forfeited, and, if you want to return the following year, your name will go on the bottom of the waiting list.

A big advantage to gardening at Old Farm is the people who are there. Many of the gardeners have been there for many years, and have a tremendous amount of practical growing experience. They have already worked the kinks out of growing crops in the Pikes Peak region. Another mark on the plus side is that the garden is open year round.

Deerfield Hills Community Gardens
The Deerfield Hills garden is part of a city run community center. The garden itself is managed by volunteers. Nine, 15x25 gardens are available. The rental is $10.00 per garden plot for the summer. Water is provided by the city of Colorado Springs. The garden closes at the end of summer. Choose your crops wisely so that you get a proper harvest.

If you would like to try urban gardening, community gardens are a way to get your fingers in the soil. If you make mistakes, they will not be big ones. Then you can take the experience with you into the following year. Take advantage of the collective wisdom and soon the marvelous crops being talked about, will be yours.