Community Garden Workday for August (2019)

It was foggy on Saturday,

but that didn't keep a handful of volunteers

from working in the Community Garden in Denver.

It's always so fun to see the changes each month,

from season to season.

Here, towards the end of summer,

there is a lotta green goin' on!

This year, the loofah was grown on the perimeter fence,

as well as in its designated bed.

It seems that the gourds are not as prolific as in previous years,

but there is still time left for them to develop.

The blooms attract so many pollinators,

which in turn benefit the crops in each bed.

This okra is a little far gone,

as it must be checked twice a day,

it grows so quickly.

This cucumber might have gotten missed as well.

We have a large compost pile,

so any unusable produce goes back into soil making.

Here's a healthy bed full of beginning crops.

Looks like they will get plenty of water

with the drip irrigation system.

A nearby bed hosts Japanese eggplant.

Many were picked on this day to be shared with others.

In a private bed,

someone will be enjoying ripe, juicy melon.

There's nothing like homegrown.

Lettuces are just getting started here

and should fare well as cooler temperatures draw near.

One of our volunteers offered up these milkweed seeds.

Several of us took some home to add to our pollinator beds next spring.

Until then, they are best kept refrigerated.

These cactus zinnias are some of my absolute favorite blooms.

I need to look for seeds so that I can plant some next spring in my own garden..

This blossom caught my eye,

and when I was uploading pictures,

I noticed the stowaway aboard.

See him?

A bountiful basket was taken to the local food bank.
It's wonderful being a part of such a generous group of gardeners.
Knowing that our small steps are aiding in others eating well
is the only motivation needed.