April Greenery: Rooted in Community
In March, the Mid Shooks Run Community Garden appeared mostly serene on the surface, but behind the scenes our community was setting the stage for a vibrant and fruitful future ahead.
March Highlights:
Our inaugural Talks and Tastings series was kicked off by none other than Larry Stebbins, the Garden Father. At this meetup, Larry walked us through the Tips and Tricks for a Successful Vegetable and Herb Garden.
The guidance team met in person for the first time this year at our March Committee Meeting. We created a framework that will guide us through the rest of the season.
It’s spring! Perennials are breaking dormancy, and our community gardeners are preparing their plots and clearing the signs of winter from the grounds.
We welcomed 12 new community gardeners! Welcome aboard!
And now, welcome to April!
Here’s a preview of April at the Mid Shooks Run Community Garden:
Events:
Save Your Cardboard and Join Us for Spring Cleaning: Saturday April 13th & Sunday April 14th
We are fast-tracking the season with a clean and sustainable start. The weekend of Saturday, April 13th and Sunday, April 14th, we will be gathering to clear out winter remnants, amend our beds, and prepare for planting. Additionally, we will cardboard and mulch our pathways, so save your cardboard and bring it to these events! If you will not be joining us but have cardboard to donate, please store it in the greenhouse.
Let us know you’re coming so we can better plan the weekend. Please RSVP to one of the two dates that suits your schedule and join us at Mid Shooks Run Community Garden. Wear comfortable gardening attire and bring along suncare, a pair of gloves, and your enthusiasm!
RSVP to Saturday, April 13th Spring Cleaning
RSVP to Sunday, April 14th Spring Cleaning
The Great American Cleanup: Saturday, April 27th
The Great American Cleanup is the nation’s largest community improvement program that takes place annually in an estimated 20,000 communities nationwide. At Mid Shooks Run Community Garden, we actively participate in the Great American Cleanup by lending a helping hand in cleaning up the Shooks Run creek. As stewards of the environment, we understand the importance of preserving the natural beauty of our surroundings.
Please volunteer with us to keep Shooks Run creek beautiful. To participate, come to the corner of Willamette & Franklin in Shooks Run Park on Saturday, April 27, between 10am and noon. Register there and pick up gear to help clean up, like trash bags, etc. For more information, check out the Mid Shooks Run Neighborhood Association event page.
Announcements:
Perennial Bed Spring Harvests
Community garden members share in the upkeep and maintenance of our perennial beds, and we share the harvests! Our gardeners are welcome to help themselves to the produce. Keep your eyes open for rhubarb, young asparagus shoots, and spring onions.
ETA for Irrigation at the Garden
The Colorado Springs Department of Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Spaces will typically charge water to the garden May 1st. The supply line to the garden is very small and freezes easily, so you may see the part watering before supply to the garden is turned on.
A Gentle Reminder about the Colorado Springs Climate
In Colorado Springs, April brings about the unpredictable nature of glorious warm and sunny weather, quickly followed by hail and snow storms. These weather events can pose significant threats to plants in the Mid Shooks Run Community Garden, as tender seedlings and blooming flowers are particularly vulnerable to damage.
Despite the challenges posed by April storms, gardeners in Colorado Springs can adapt and protect their plants by staying informed, being proactive, and implementing protective measures to safeguard their beloved green spaces. One approach is to cover delicate plants with row covers or cloches to provide a physical barrier against hail and frost. Additionally, it's advisable to monitor weather forecasts closely and be prepared to take swift action, such as covering garden beds with tarps.
Happy gardening!
