Platt Urban Farmer Blog

Saturday 10/3 – Retaining Wall #1 – Part 2

platturbanfarmer — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 06:08:36 +0000

We visited a local community garden today, Rosedale Community Garden. It is a nice big space right next to Harvard Gulch Park that allows local residents utilize space for growing their own fruits and veggies. They had a Harvest Sale, one of the growers told us all about the wait list and the size of the plots, 17 people on the wait list in 2009. Plots were 25 x 25 she thought. They have one of the only bee hives in a community garden in the Denver area, they were selling honey. We ran into an old friend that has a plot there and he showed us around. Very cool, but you can only produce for your own family and can not sell any of it. They had several huge grape vines growing, they may have been the sweetest grapes I’ve ever tasted. It was very cool to see the remains of a bountiful season for all the growers there and to try to figure out what had been grown. Most of the tomatoes and pepper plants were just about done for the season. We had a really chilly night last night and the freeze just about did them all in. Their compost bins and process was pretty amazing. Tried to find out about the straw bails they had, one of the growers promised to find out where they get them and will email me with the information. Todd and Laura have offered to utilize space on the South side of their house for storage.

Exciting news, we ran into Katie and Linda while walking home and talked about all that we’re doing with the plan for the Urban Farm. Katie takes care of the lawn at one of the Primo sites and she said she would ask the owner if he’d be up for us utilizing the space. This and the other primo site and we’ll be close to capacity on needed land.

Note to self – find out more abou Bees and hives and growing grapes in Colorado

The house 2 doors down will be demolished on Monday, they delivered the huge backhoe for the demo project while we were at Rosedale. They cut down the crab apple tree in the front of the house. (pictures to be posted tomorrow) My plan was to finish the first of two retaining walls today, got a late start with us going to the Rosedale Garden. While working on the new wall, the new neighbor (Jim) came by while I was working on it. He said he was glad to see some of the materials we were able to be re-used. He said to take anything we wanted, it was all going to a landfill Monday afternoon. Todd & Laura (another neighbor couple) had told me they wanted some of the windows if Habitat for Humanity didn’t take them. Got the second level when I saw Todd and told him what Jim said. He asked me to help him get the windows. We removed a total of 30 windows. About to research how to build cold-frames, look forward to getting them built and ready for the spring planting. I’m sure it will be a new post in the near future. Gotta get the wall finished tomorrow, and move the remaining ties from the front of the demolish site to build wall #2 and the raised bed. May go back to the demolish site and get the plastic basement sink for washing produce next year, could easily be set-up outside, have visions of using old water jugs to recycle the water.

Current Plans – finish retaining wall under giant tree (future flower garden area), build remaining 3 garden plots in my front yard, 2 beds in back yard, and build greenhouse, plans for Deb’s yard, plans for Gary & Lori’s yard, visit other 2 neighbors that have expressed interest in utilizing space in their yards, contact primo sites owners. Put together plan on contacting restaurants along Pearl St., continue the marketing plan.

Needs – tiller, greenhouse materials, seeds, flats, continued warm weather, more daylight…

Mood – Definitly will get some sleep tonight. behind planned to be done with Bed #1 and partially completed with bed #2. Still excited!

Friday 10/2 – Retaining Wall Part 1

platturbanfarmer — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 08:34:28 +0000

While watching my two kiddos, I was able to finish moving the railroad ties from the neighbor two doors down. The house was sold earlier this summer and the house will be scraped and a new one built. I saw the construction manager in front of the house a few weeks ago and asked what he planned on doing with the railroad ties/landscape timbers. He said they would be loaded with the rest of the pieces that come down with the house. I asked if I could have them if I moved them myself. He said no problem, just wait for the demolition before moving the ones in the front of the house so the dirt and bushes don’t end up on the sidewalk, but I could move the ones in the backyard whenever. Well there were about 15 ties in the backyard and probably the same number in the front yard. I finished moving the backyard ones Friday. I have pictures of my yard before and will post before and after photos after I’m done or at least a little further along, pictures don’t mean much at this point.

Was able to get my old wall ripped out and my first tie laid. The rest of the first wall shouldn’t take to long hopefully finish today. Could have gotten the entire bottom row completed, but got summoned to a game of hide-and-seek with my daughter Ainsley and her bestie Elle (next door neighbor’s daughter). Ended up playing until time to prepare dinner. Chicken Enchiladas (yum!) we haven’t become complete vegetarians yet… Ainsley and I both were in hot water… she got some grease on her new jacket from the railroad ties.

Got an email late in the day from the construction manager, demolition happens Monday. Will have to finish moving the remaining ties Sunday. Need to check with him on the windows of the house, could be used for cold frames, neighbor Laura had that idea…

Needs – tiller, greenhouse materials, seeds, flats, continued warm weather, more daylight…

Mood – Tired but couldn’t sleep, thinking about all that needs to be done, still excited!

The Beginning

platturbanfarmer — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:29:42 +0000

Jumping into the world of Organic Urban Farming…

After quitting my 50 plus hour a week job to be a stay-at-home-dad. I’ve decided to start an Urban Organic Farm. I’ve had a home garden for the past 2 years and have produced very high yields for the small space we’ve utilized. I’ve talked to a couple of neighbors about utilizing space in their yards, and the word is spreading quickly.

Will be developing a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture). The total number of Shares available will be dependent on the square footage, I’m able to get. What is CSA – also known as subscription farming, a shareholder pays for a portion or “share” of the produce prior to production. Other CSA’s typically have a weekly harvest that is distributed to shareholders. More to come…

Current Plans – build 3 garden plots in my front yard, 2 beds in back yard, and build greenhouse, plans for Deb’s yard, plans for Gary & Lori’s yard, visit other 2 neighbors, contact primo sites owners.

Needs – tiller, greenhouse materials, seeds, flats, continued warm weather, more daylight…

Mood – Extremely excited!

Urban Organic Farming

platturbanfarmer — Sat, 03 Oct 2009 05:04:07 +0000

Read about a stay-at-home-dad, and his journey on developing an urban organic farm.