Colorado Gives

Now it is easier than ever to donate to Grow Local Colorado as we are one of Colorado Gives Foundation’s recipient organizations. Early giving began November 1. Not to worry, you can donate any time between now and December 8th. By making a donation via Colorado Gives you put Grow Local in the running for additional funding. And everyone that donates a minimum of $100 will be in the drawing for free tickets from Southwest Airlines. 



www.coloradogives.org/Grow-Local-Colorado

A Final Farewell

from Linda

Goodbyes are hard but important. Over the last few weeks I’ve said a lot of goodbyes. I’m reminded that I’ve been welcomed into and supported by this ever growing community through the years. It’s becoming tougher to confront the reality of stepping even a little bit out of this flow. Along with people goodbyes I’ve also passed my work truck along to a micro farmer and her community. That was a biggie. Bye Sweet P, may you haul things well. I’m grateful to know that the meaningful work and people in my life have given me something to miss! 

Lessons are part of the gardening process and I want for you what I received in abundance. The garden has been my solace and I hope you find it too, I’ve learned to slow down and notice (despite my hummingbird like demeanor) and I hope you learn to watch too, I’ve built so many skills and I hope you continue learning too.

Expectations? I don’t fully know what to expect from this shift right now, but I’ve got people with me. And isn’t that the lesson of GLC? We move forward when we back each other up.

As I move across the threshold of what I don’t really know, there’s one thing I do know. I’ll take all this love and knowledge, share it in my new place, and see what grows.

Education Corner

Now is the time to plant garlic. Garlic is a great crop. It has few pests, is drought tolerant, and provides plenty of flavor to many dishes. By planting now you’ll have a harvest in early June of garlic scapes and another harvest in July of the bulbs. Planting garlic is easy. Start with well-drained soil as garlic can rot if exposed to too much moisture. Dig holes 6” deep which will provide insulation from the cold. Plant the cloves between 6 and 12 inches apart. If possible, use garlic bulbs that have been grown in this area. Those varieties have adapted to our challenging climate and will produce better bulbs. Only use the large cloves from the head of garlic as they will produce larger heads. Plant one clove per hole. Top with compost and then mulch well. Shredded leaves make good mulch which will hold in the moisture and regulate soil temperatures. Water about once a month unless we get consistent precipitation.

Garden Surprise? Success?

This is a new section for the newsletter. We’re asking our readers to share photos and stories of their garden surprises or successes. Is there a crop you tried that exceeded your expectations? Did you have a volunteer plant that turned out to be a great addition to your garden? Maybe you found a new pollinator?



Our first submission is from our Board President, Mark Mehringer. His son planted daikon radish seeds as a winter cover crop last year. He didn’t realize that it was thriving all summer. This fall they harvested two giant roots each the length of a forearm - several feet long and several inches in diameter.

Please send us your garden successes and photos to: GrowLocalColorado@gmail.com