Arapahoe Estates Community Garden and Garden Club   Bringing together our neighbors through community involvement,  beautification, sustainable food growth and education   Welcome to the Arapahoe Estates Community Garden!  Located in the southwest corner of the Arapahoe Estates subdivision, the Garden was approved and established in the Spring of 2009.  The Garden is an amenity that all Arapahoe Estates residents can enjoy.     The Arapahoe Estates Community Garden has 18 individual household plots, a Children’s Garden, a Pumpkin Patch, a Corn Field and a Shared Neighbor Garden that all members maintain.     See the progress of the community garden during the 2011 growing season.

History During 2009, the ground was excavated and graded, and irrigation brought to the site.  Signs were put up.  Garden members planted their plots, built the fence and gate, and laid the walkways.  A tool shed was built.  A new Snow Crabapple tree was planted. The construction work continued during 2010.  Automated irrigation was set up in all plots.  Electricity was brought to the site to run the automated irrigation and provide lights at the tool shed.  The shed was painted, a door put on, and our sponsor Horn Brothers installed a new roof on it.     Also in 2010, we focused on planting in areas around the exterior of the garden.  Planting beds and the fence perimeter were marked, dug and topsoil added.  Edging, weed fabric and wood mulch were added to these.  Irrigation was set up to all exterior planting areas.  Fruit bushes and herbs were planted.  Neighbors donated perennial plants and herbs to the planting areas.  Many decorative shrubs were planted around the perimeter of the garden.     During the Spring 2011, garden members built raised cedar beds and new topsoil was purchased from Boss Compost for the entire community garden.  This project beautified the garden and improved the soil quality for successful food-growing.  Additional shrubs and perennials were planted in the exterior beds.   Also in 2011, the artists at Crooked Creations http://www.crookedcreations.com custom-built and donated a whimsical gnome house which is located on top of the big rock on the path to the garden.  The gnome house has become a fun attraction for people walking around the garden.   Garden Construction Photos

Children’s Garden The community garden has an active children’s garden.  The kids were excited to plant the garden at the beginning of the season.  In 2011, they planted cucumbers, carrots, multiple-colored beans, birdhouse gourds, sunflowers, snap peas, purple popcorn, tomatoes, tomatillos, basil, cilantro, unusual squash varieties.  Runner beans grew up the skirt of a scarecrow.     Kids and parents meet every few weeks for children’s garden activities.  This year, the kids made stepping stones, bird baths, and tie-dye flags that were tied to the garden fence.      Childrens Garden Photos

Shared Garden and Food Bank Donations The shared garden is a large area planted and maintained by all interested garden members.  Typical vegetables and flowers are grown, but also unusual types and varieties.  The shared garden is designed for education and trying new things.  Garden members are invited to harvest from the garden.  When there is more food harvested than is used by the members, the extra food is taken to Gathering Place, which supports women and their children who are homeless or living in poverty. Education Garden members are supplied with various educational resources about gardening, including books, magazines, websites, guest speakers and on-site experienced gardeners.       Herb Gardens and Fruit Bushes The herbs planted in and around the garden include culinary herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary, sage, tarragon, chives and purple shiso (used in Asian cooking).   Medicinal herbs include borage, calendula, lavender, comfrey, roman chamomile and anise hyssop.   Ten fruit bushes from our sponsor Tagawa Gardens were planted around the garden’s exterior in 2010.  These include blackberries, service berries, jostaberries, red currant bushes and white currant bushes.  When a grape arbor is built, we anticipate planting grape vines.

Garden-Sponsored Arapahoe Estates Events The community garden sponsors two subdivision-wide children’s events.  The first is a Halloween party in October where the kids do crafts, decorate pumpkins and have a costume parade.  The second is a Spring party in April with games, crafts and an egg hunt.   Spring Party Halloween Party       In 2011, the Arapahoe Estates Owner’s Association, Inc. and the Community Garden and Garden Club co-hosted the second annual Summer Pot Luck Picnic for all Arapahoe Estates residents.  There were many fun activities for kids and adults alike.  The Littleton Fire Department brought a fire engine for kids and adults to tour.  Kids crowded around the jewelry-making and tattoo table.  Neighbors played badminton and other games.  A highlight of the party was a rousing water balloon fight.  A farmer's market table was set up with bounty from the community garden.  Neighbors brought dishes to share and enjoyed hanging out getting to know each other better.      HOA Annual Picnic Pictures

Member Guidelines and Registration Form Members must follow the Member Guidelines, fill out a Reservation Form and submit a deposit.  Limited communal costs may apply each year. The 2011 season is closing and we are accepting registrations for 2012. For more information or to reserve a plot for 2012, contact Therese Revitte, Master Community Gardener (through Denver Urban Gardens), Master Gardener and Arapahoe Estates resident, at teever@aol.com or 303-798-4975.    Garden Advisory Committee Therese Revitte, Garden Coordinator, teever@aol.com , 303-798-4975 Lance Chayet, Garden Member and HOA Board Vice President Kimberly Schlauch, Garden Member and HOA Board Member

Sponsors Our sponsors have donated money and materials toward the establishment of the Garden.