DUE TO COVID-19, GROWING GARDENS COMMUNITY PLANT SALE IS NOW ONLINE!
CHOOSE FROM THOUSANDS OF ORGANICALLY GROWN AND BEE-SAFE TOMATO, VEGGIE AND HERB STARTS, AS WELL AS PERENNIALS, ANNUALS AND EVEN FRUIT TREES THAT ARE GROWN LOCALLY IN THEIR GREENHOUSES.
SHOP THE VARIETY OF PLANTS ON THEIR ONLINE STORE AND CHOOSE CURBSIDE PICKUP OR HOME DELIVERY.
Spring is finally here and the sight of our yards, trees, and flowers awakening inspires many of us to think about digging in our gardens or visiting our local farmer’s markets to buy fresh, locally grown fruits and vegetables. In this spirit, Western Disposal is recognizing a local non-profit focused on creating connections to our land and the food that we grow: Growing Gardens.
Founded in 1998 by Ramona Clark, Growing Gardens operates on the Long Family Farm in Boulder, which is the last piece of agriculturally zoned property in the City of Boulder. Growing Gardens began as effort to manage the community gardens established by the City of Boulder that enabled residents have place to grow their own food. Since then, Growing Gardens has grown significantly and now offers a wide range of programs and events focused on sustainable urban agriculture. In 2019, Growing Gardens served over 34,000 people and over 62% of these community members were low income. In addition, they donated over 24,000 lbs. of food, 30,000 plant starts and 3,400 seed packets to low income families and gardeners.
Some of the programs include:
- Community Gardens. Growing Gardens manages eight community gardens located around Boulder County. These gardens provide over 1,000 residents with an opportunity to garden.
- Growing Garden Food Project. This program provides food for those in need through direct donations from its Longmont Food Project Farm. In addition, plant starts and seed packets are donated to help low income residents grow their own food.
- Cultiva Youth Project. This program teaches teens aged 12 -19 about sustainable agriculture, leadership and job skills. These students also manage the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program operating on Growing Garden’s two-acre farm.
- Children’s Programs. Children’s Peace Garden programs are designed to reconnect children ages 5-11 with the earth. Through summer camps, field trips, and family classes, Growing Gardens teach children about the source of the food they eat, organic gardening, and the importance of biodiversity and community.
- Community Classes and Events. Growing Gardens hosts classes at their property on everything from cooking to beekeeping.
Western Disposal supports Growing Gardens with their waste diversion efforts and is proud to recognize their efforts in our community to keep our food production local and support those in need. For more information about Growing Gardens, please visit growinggardens.org.
