04.29.2021

Grow food. Share the harvest. Grow and Give is a modern victory garden project with an Extension twist. Started in 2020 to make a local impact on food security, Grow and Give connects backyard and community gardens with food donation sites across the state. Register your garden today to join the Grow and Give community and log your donations to friends, family, and neighbors. Whether you’re an expert or a brand new gardener, CSU Extension is here for you with trusted, practical resources to support you through the growing season and beyond. Learn More

Aeroponic Inspiration Congratulations to Broomfield sixth grader Aanshi Shah, who was recently selected as one of only three finalists in her age group in the Future Engineers Artemis Moon Pod essay contest. The competition drew a total of 14,000 entries nationwide. So where did the aspiring astronaut/doctor go to find inspiration for her award-winning essay? The local library, of course! Aanshi was wrapping up her visit to the Broomfield Library when CSU Extension’s vertical aeroponic garden in the lobby area caught her eye. The rest, as they say, is history. As one of nine finalists, Aanshi has won a trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston; and if she advances to win her category, she and her family will watch the first Artemis test launch there. CSU Extension and its volunteers installed the vertical indoor gardens in early 2020 and maintain them for demonstration purposes. Compared to traditional agriculture, aeroponic systems use up to 90% less water and can grow plants up to twice as fast. Come check them out - rumor has it, they’re inspiring! Read more about Aanshi and her winning essay.

Get your hands dirty - test your soil! CSU Extension offers year-round soil testing, and it’s a great way to check the quality of your garden soil and learn how to improve it. To use the service, gardeners must: Complete the lab submission form Collect a composite soil sample from the test area (detailed instructions are on the form above) Mail the form and soil sample to the CSU Soil, Water & Plant Testing Lab, Campus Delivery 1120 A-320 NESB, Fort Collins CO 80523-1120 The cost of a routine garden and landscape soil test through the CSU lab is $35, and the turnaround time is currently about a month. Soil test containers and instructions are available just outside the CSU Extension office in the Broomfield Library, but residents must mail samples to the lab in Fort Collins for analysis. Visit the CSU Soil Testing Lab website for more information.

Plan BEE, Part 2 Saturday, May 1, 2-3 p.m. Free, but must register Thinking about starting a backyard beehive? “Plan BEE” is a series for future and beginner beekeepers from CSU Extension and the Depot Museum. The May 1 class covers basic hive processes and habitat needs. Please note this is a lecture class that will be held outside. Register today on B-REx.com. Financial Literacy Thursday, May 13, 1:30-3 p.m. - Money and Stress Thursday, May 27, 1:30-3 p.m. - Eating Healthy on a Budget Learn tips for stretching your dollars and living well with this series from CSU Extension, Broomfield FISH, and the City and County of Broomfield. These free workshops are held online in English and Spanish. Find more information on B-REx.com.

Patio Gardening Class Saturday, May 15, 9-11 a.m. Free, online No space to garden? Think again! Whether you want to grow your own food or add outdoor interest, join CSU Extension to learn how to make the most out of container gardening in small spaces. Learn more on B-REx.com.

Online Gardening Classes Fridays at noon Free, but must register The April 30 lunch and learn gardening webinar from CSU Extension is “Protecting Gardens from Animals.” The spring series is offered every Friday at noon through May 14. Visit the CSU CO-Horts blog to register for upcoming classes and view recordings of ones you've missed.

Check out What's New on the Broomfield CSU Extension website for more upcoming events!

Gardening Toolkit Colorado Vegetable Guide in English and Spanish - extensive 85-page resource with crop-by-crop information for all regions of the state Colorado Gardening: Challenge to Newcomers - fact sheet Drip Irrigation for Home Gardens Garden Plans Insects, Diseases, and Weeds Local Frost Dates and Climate Summary Raised Bed Gardening - basics, including construction tips Raised Bed Gardening - sample planting guide Raised Bed Gardening - video Spanish “Grow” Resources Transplanting into the Garden Veggie Crops A-Z

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Extension programs are available to all without discrimination. Colorado State University Extension, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and Colorado counties cooperating.