PPUG - Community Gardens

PPUG

Pikes Peak Urban Gardens

"Creating Places Where People Meet to Grow"

an initiative of Pikes Peak Community Foundation

Our mission is to:

"cultivate, educate, and serve the community through
urban garden projects in the Pikes Peak region".

PPUG
c/o PPCF
730 N. Nevada Ave
Colorado Springs, CO 80903
ph: 719-651-3416
larry@ppugardens.org

Community Gardens

Want to Start A Neighborhood Community Garden?

Here are some helpful tips:

Find some land that you can use that also has an adequate water supply.

It must also receive at least 8 hours of sun a day.

The size of the land can vary but remember each gardening family could easily plant and maintain a 20 ft by 20 ft plot.

Most community gardens are at least 40 ft by 40 ft. If you don't have enough land sometimes local churches or businesses might let you use their land.

Next get commitments from a few families that want to be active participants.

Most importantly there must be a garden leader. Someone needs to step up and be in charge.

If you need further advice or assistance after all the concerns are discussed, please e-mail us at: info@ppugardens.org

Each year PPUG receives funding to assist up to three communities with their efforts to start a community garden.

For the 2010 season much of our funding for our gardens came from:

Colorado Garden Show Inc.
www.gardeningcolorado.com

Our garden projects received these services from PPUG in the 2010 season:
- On-site biweekly visitations, consultation and planning sessions from early spring until early fall will be conducted.
- Assistance in purchasing garden supplies to get your garden ready for planting.
- You will receive advice in selecting the right varieties of vegetables that grow well in the Pikes Peak region.Your group will receive many free seed packets and the opportunity to save by bundling your order through PPUG for bulk prices.
- Each group will receive the DVD, “A Guide to Growing Vegetables in the Pikes Peak Region”. This step-by-step video will lead the gardener through the seasons. Other educational materials and e-mail quick response to your questions will be provided.
- Visits to other local community or demonstration gardens will be scheduled.
- Tips and suggestions on soil preparation, raised beds, season extending methods, organic pest control, composting and vegetable varieties that thrive in the Pikes Peak area will be shared.
- Additional class offerings on how to prepare delicious meals from your harvest are available for a small fee. Please contact us for more specific details.
Our New Community and Garden Projects for 2010

Dorchester Park
Dorchester Park is located on S. Nevada Ave. near I-25. Presently it is an under-used park. PPUG, along with Care and Share, Marian Soup Kitchen, Springs Rescue Mission, Urban Peak and Julian Garcia of Designer Columns and Piers will partner to help provide food for those in need. Funds have been provided by the Colorado Home and Garden Show, Forest Edge Gardens (owned and operated by Laura and Tim Spears) and numerous small donations.

Above is an artist's depiction of Dorchester Garden

Vermijo Community Garden

Above is an artist's depiction of Vermijo Community Garden

Vermijo Park is located on Vermijo Ave and 26th street in Old Colorado City. This north part of the park is not used by the public. PPUG with funds from the Colorado Home and Garden Show (administered through Care and Share) will develop this parcel into a true community garden. Plans call for up to 20 plots each 400 sq ft that will be available for the local residents to rent.

If you are interested in renting a plot at Vermijo or learning more about it please e-mail us at: info@ppugardens.org

PPUG is partnering with Youth Ventures to build a thematic vegetable garden for the families and children that are served by this great organization. When families visit they will have a peaceful, healthful place to retreat. They can harvest from the garden and take the veggies into the kitchen. Together the families can prepare and eat a great meal.

Youth Ventures of Colorado is a non-profit organization with the mission of serving at-risk youth and families through foster and group home programs, casework services, and a variety of clinical interventions. We are devoted to facilitating the reunification of families, providing permanency through adoption, permanent foster care and when necessary facilitating the emancipation of youth to productive citizenship.
Our Community Garden Projects 2008-2009