Celebrate the Winter Solstice

What gardener does not celebrate the coming and passing of the winter solstice?

In the midst of the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, I offer the following -- in celebration and thanksgiving.

The Shortest Day
by Susan Cooper

"So the shortest day came, and the year died,
And everywhere down the centuries of the snow-white world
Came people singing, dancing,
To drive the dark away.

They lighted candles in the winter trees;
They hung their homes with evergreen;
They burned beseeching fires all night long
To keep the year alive,

And when the new year's sunshine blazed awake
They shouted, reveling.
Through all the frosty ages you can hear them
Echoing behind us - Listen!!

All the long echoes sing the same delight,
This shortest day,
As promise wakens in the sleeping land:
They carol, fest, give thanks,

And dearly love their friends,
And hope for peace.
And so do we, here, now,
This year and every year.
Welcome Yule!!"

Wishing you all the blessings of the season.....and longer, warmer days as we go forward.

Gearing Up for the Next Growing Season

It's never too early to start planning your very own garden. Before you know it, we'll be getting our first seed catalogs in the mail! Meanwhile, there are lots of training opportunities around for folks who want to learn how to grow their own vegetables.

Here's one that's near and dear to my heart:

Denver Urban Gardens Master Community Gardener program.
This is a 10-week course designed to train community leaders in community organizing as well as basic horticultural skills growing vegetables and fruits in Colorado. This hands-on course teaches participants the skills they need to create and maintain strong, vibrant and sustainable community gardens. Applications are now being accepted until January 16, 2009 and classes start in February. For an informational flyer, click here. For an application and class schedule, click here.

Here are some cool classes offered by Denver Botanic Gardens:

Sustainable Greenhouse Design
December 14, 2008, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Instructors: Penn and Cord Parmenter
Morrison Center
Have you ever wondered if it could be done? Can you create a greenhouse that needs NO supplemental heating year round? - the answer is yes!! This greenhouse design, involving stored water as thermal mass and our bountiful Colorado sun, can be used with recycled materials or new. You can apply this method to pre-existing greenhouses, attached or single units. Water is the most efficient thermal mass but there are many other options as well - learn how to use them while recycling all kinds of materials. The Parmenters built their greenhouse out of 90% recycled materials and it sits on top of a decomposed granite mountain at 8,120 ft. This technique works at any altitude. Fresh, organic food year round in Colorado is a sure thing - we have more than enough sun. There's always something to eat!
FEES:

Members, $49.00
Non Members, $56.00
Day of Class Member Fee, $59.00
Day of Class Non Member Fee, $66.00

Walk-in registrations will be charged a $10 late fee.

Getting Your Garden Ready for Spring
January 20, 2009, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Classroom B, Denver Botanic Gardens
It's the dead of winter now, but spring prep chores will soon begin! Just as you had to put your garden "to bed" for winter, there are many important tasks to help your garden wake up and get ready for the growing season. This class will cover undoing mulch and compost, amending soil, garden clean-up, rose care, perennials, what to prune or not to prune, lawn preparation, irrigation tune-up, cleaning your tools, and more. FEES: $24 member, $29 non-member. Day of class: $34/$39. Instructor: Jackie Burghardt

Sustainability Film Series: Sister Bee
February 19, 2009, 7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Denver Botanic Gardens
Enjoy a lyrical and beautiful documentary (filmed in Boulder) about six women beekeepers who encounter startling beauty and spiritual truth in their work with honeybees. We are fortunate to be able to present a special panel discussion with some of the beekeepers themselves, as well as Laura Tyler, the filmmaker, following the film. Don’t miss this memorable and moving event. $8 member, $10 non-member. Space is limited: register early!

And here are some other options -- presented by Transition Boulder County:

Bringing Transition Home: Case Studies in Permaculture
January 14, 2009 from 7pm to 9pm
Boulder Meadows Community Room
How can humans live on Earth in harmony, abundance, grace and ease for eons into the future? Sandy Cruz and Barbara Mueser will discuss how the Permaculture approach has inspired transition in their personal lives, creating small local changes which ripple out to the wider environment. By transforming and connecting diverse facets of our lives — love of nature, food strategies, building techniques, natural healing, indigenous wisdom, new inventions, finance, transportation, community and more — we can regenerate landscapes and culture, moving towards abundance for all. This event, organized by High Altitude Permaculture & Transition Boulder County, is free and open to the public.

Solar Greenhouse Design Weekend with Sandy Cruz and Jeff Graef
February 7, 2009 at 10am to February 8, 2009 at 4:30pm
Location to be announced
Use the winter season to design an integrated, sustainable greenhouse using passive and active solar architecture, slanted or vertical glazing, and earth-friendly building materials. Learn solar design principles along with the nuts and bolts of greenhouse materials and technologies. We’ll consider the strengths and weaknesses of several existing greenhouses, and demonstrate Permaculture site analysis and brainstorming techniques and work on solar greenhouse designs. Please contact Transition Boulder County to register.

Garden Design and Planning - a la Permaculture, with Sandy Cruz and Jason Gerhardt
March 14, 2009 from 10am to 4:30pm –
Locations to be announced
It’s time to begin creating this year’s garden! Learn to imitate Nature by establishing garden polycultures that produce a diverse mix of vegetables, fruits, herbs and flowers.We’ll take a virtual tour of Sandy’s garden, consider springtime gardening priorities, and look at strategies for working with our local Rocky Mountain climate. Using Permaculture design principles, we’ll consider where to place the garden, how to build it, what to plant in it, and where to obtain seeds, bedding plants, shrubs and trees. Participants will plant seeds to take home, and will learn how to care for young bedding plants. Please contact Transition Boulder County to register.

Permaculture through the Seasons - An 8 Month Design Certification Course
March 21, 2009 at 9am
Location to be announced.
How can humans live on Earth in harmony, abundance, grace and ease for eons into the future?Permaculture is the art of creating living ecosystems that imitate nature to provide food, fuel and shelter. Using innovative and indigenous agricultural techniques as well as appropriate technologies, course participants will learn to move towards living sustainably. Through multifaceted learning techniques — hands-on projects, tours, slide shows, exercises, lectures and readings — students will acquire knowledge of Permaculture Design for our Rocky Mountain bioregion and beyond. Course meets the third weekend of each month through October 18th.
Program Cost is $950.00 if registered by 1/21/09, $1050.00 if registered by 2/21/09, and $1200.00 after 2/21. Work/study scholarships available based on financial need and skills. To register, contact Sandy Cruz at 303-459-3494. More info at http://hialtpc.org

Locally Grown Christmas Trees

Thanks to the Colorado Department of Agriculture -- here's a list of Xmas Tree farms and providers in Colorado:

ADAMS COUNTY

Palizzi Farm
15380 Bromley Lane (6th & Bromley Lane)
Brighton
(303) 659-1970

April 15 - December 24
Daily, 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Christmas trees.

U.S. Hwy. 85 north to Bromley Lane, right 1 mile. East side of the King Soopers Shopping Center.

BOULDER COUNTY

Munson's Farm
7355 Valmont Rd.
Boulder, CO 80301
(303) 442-5330

December 1 - December 21Daily, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.

U.S. 36 to Boulder, turn right on Pearl, proceed east till it becomes Valmont. Northwest corner of Valmont and 75th Street.

DELTA COUNTY

Delicious Orchards
1450 Hwy. 133
Paonia
(970) 527-1110
E-mail: jeff@freshapplecider.com
Web site: www.organicorchardonline.com

Daily, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Christmas trees.

1 1/2 miles west (down valley) from Paonia on Hwy. 133.

DENVER COUNTY

Tree Land Christmas Trees
1710 S. Sante Fe. (Sante Fe & Cherokee St.)
Denver, CO 80120
(720) 234-5988

November 20 - December 25
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tree Land Christmas Trees is Colorado's Largest Retail lot, ovr 3000 trees to chose from and 500 trees standing daily! Tree Land also has the nicest wreaths and garland at the best prices.

1-25 to Sante Fe to Cherokee St., 1 block north of Evans off ramp next to Scrubs Car Wash.

ELBERT COUNTY

Coastalfields
Agate
(720) 207-3642 (call first)
E-mail: directors@coastalfields.com
Web site: www.coastalfields.com

Year-round
Daily, dawn - dusk

Christmas trees.

Located 40 miles east of Denver. 1-70 to Exit 340, west to CR 153, right on CR 162, left on CR 147, right on CR 160.

JEFFERSON COUNTY

Luckylure Holiday Activity Center
5231 Hwy. 73
Evergreen, CO 80439
(303) 674-5777
Web site: www.coloradochristmastrees.com

November 28 - December 20
Monday - Thursday, 12 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Friday - Sunday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m.
Santa vists Saturday and Sunday, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

A festive Colorado Mountain atmosphere with a creekside meadow. Free stockings for all kids, free refreshments, free 2009 calendars. Trees are all fresh pre-cut. Featuring Colorado Native and farm trees, wreaths, garland and gift shop.

I-70 to Evergreen Parkway (Highway 74) to Highway 73, right 1 mile.

Tree Land Christmas Trees
12390 West 64th Ave.
Arvada, CO 80004(720) 219-3471

November 22 - December 25
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tree Land Christmas Trees offer the nicest and freshest Christmas Trees available as well as wreaths and garland. Tree Land Christmas Trees are cut months after large retail stores for freshness through Christmas. We will also be offering free hot chocolate.

Southeast corner of 64th and Ward, directly in front of King Soopers.

Tree Land Christmas Trees
Alameda and Wadsworth
Lakewood, CO 80226
(720) 234-5988

November 28 - December 25
9 a.m. - 9 p.m.

Tree Land Christmas Trees offer the nicest and freshest Christmas Trees available as well as wreaths and garland. Tree Land Christmas Trees are cut months after large retail stores for freshness through Christmas.

Alameda and Wadsworth. Southeast corner of Belmar Shopping Center parking lot.

LAS ANIMAS COUNTY

Colt Ranch Bed & Breakfast
10,000 County Rd. 43.6
Trinidad
(719) 845-0353
E-mail: coltranch@msn.com
Web site: www.coltranch.com

Year-round
Daily, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Christmas trees.

15 miles west of Trinidad on Hwy. 12. CR 43.6 is 0.7 miles west of Ringo's Market in Segundo, CO.

MONTROSE COUNTY

Covered Bridge Ranch
17249 6250 Rd.Montrose
(970) 240-0106E-mail: gariessen@peoplepc.com

Starting November 28
Wednesday - Sunday, 10 a.m - 5 p.m.

Choose-n-cut Christmas tress. Public restrooms and picnic area.

West on Highway 90 from Montrose to Dave Wood Rd., turn south to large stone and log. Entrance gate on right side of road.

Green Place Ranch, LLC
Olathe
(888) 786-3374 (call first)
E-mail: solar4u@starband.net
Web site: www.greenplaceranch.com

Year-round, except holidays
Monday - Friday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Christmas trees.

Hwy. 348 west, left on 55 DD Rd. to Fallion Rd. (right) to 54.25 Rd. DD (left). To BLM Rd. 3581 (up 5.8 miles to ranch entrance).

WELD COUNTY

Christmas Tree Acres
22911 WCR 39
La Salle, CO 80645
(970) 284-6061
E-mail: billjerke@aol.com

November 28 - December 21(Closed December 15 - December 19)
Weekends: 9 a.m. 5 p.m.Weekdays: 12 p.m - 5 p.m.

We provide saws, drinks, wreaths, stands, shaking and baling of trees.

Take Highway 85 to La Salle, turn east at stoplight, turn right onto Main Street, drive 1 miles south on Main Street to farm entrance.

Fern Hill Farm
2001 Fern Ave.
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 352-4478
E-mail: cclift@what-wire.com

November 28 - December 22Tuesday - Sunday, 11 a.m. - dark

Hay rides, hot cider, cookies, gift shop, fire pit, wreaths (made with Colorado boughs).

On Highway 34 go 2.4 miles past the junction of Highway 85 and 34. Turn left on Business Route Highway 34, go 1/2 mile to East 24th St., turn right a short distance to Fern Ave., turn left 1/2 mile to farm.

Pope Farms Produce
6501 W. 28th St.
Greeley
(970) 590-9124
E-mail: popefarm@hotmail.com

April - December
9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Christmas trees.

On the corner of Hwy. 34 bypass and 65th Ave. in the soutwest part of Greeley.

Bee Ordinance Passes

FYI, a quick update:

Denver's City Council passed the bee ordinance to the zoning code on Monday night.

The zoning code now allows beehives and here are the specifics...2 hives per zone lot; hives must be in rear 1/3 of zone lot with a five foot setback from side and rear zone lot lines; the hives must be screened so that the bees must fly over a six foot barrier, which may be vegetative, before leaving the property; no outdoor storage of any bee paraphernalia or hive materials not being used as a part of a hive.

This zoning changes does not affect all zoning areas. It is specific to RS-4, R-0, R-1, R-2, R-2-A, R-2-B, R-3, R-3-X, R-4, R-4-X, R-MU-20, R-MU-30, MS-1, MS-2, MS-3 or R-X zone districts.

More later....

Save the Bees, Please

Last summer, when I took a break from Corporate America and the requisite nine-to-five, I spent every morning having coffee in the garden. And while I sat there, goofing off, I watched bees -- tireless, relentless, completely immersed in their buzziness.

It inspired the following, written for my grandsons:

"Behold the bumbling bumblebees
Drowsing among the flowers
Lining their pockets with pollen
For hours and hours and hours

They zig-zag about the garden
From daisy to hyssop to phlox
Rolling in poppy blossoms
And buzzing the hollyhocks

They tickle the morning glories
And dive-bomb through the broom
They even sample the broccoli
When it begins to bloom

They stay so buzz-buzz-busy!
They never stop for lunch
They never sit and linger
Over a morning brunch.

They keep their wings a-whirring
From sun-up to sun-down
Singing their busy-bee song
All… day… long!

I think I’d like a job like theirs –
where instead of working for money,
I spend the day in the garden
And then go home and make honey."

If you love having bees in your garden, take note. There's something you can do to protect and preserve this important resource in Denver.

On Monday, Nov. 17, the Denver City Council will consider an ordinance amendment to allow backyard beekeeping in the city. If you act quickly, you can support this initiative by sending an email to your city council member and the two at-large members, asking them to support the proposal.

You can find out who your city council person is checking out the map provided here. You can find a list of city council people with contact information here.

So, why would anyone want to promote bees in the city? Beekeeping in Denver will benefit the whole community, not just people who put a hive in their yard. My friend John, fellow writer and DUG Board member offers the following key points:

Urban beekeeping helps the bees

• The honey bee is in danger. In the last few years, many beekeepers have reported losing over half of their bees each season. This epidemic, called colony collapse disorder, is believed to have many causes, possibly including viruses and parasites. But most experts agree that the use of bees in industrial agriculture has weakened their ability to cope with these threats. We depend on honey bees to pollinate a vast amount of our food, so their disappearance would have a devastating effect on our food security.
• Small-scale local beekeeping is an excellent way to keep many bees in more natural and healthy conditions. Having many backyard hives full of healthy bees would improve their chances of survival.
• With the wide variety of flowering plants in its gardens and parks, the urban environment may be even better for bees than rural areas, which are often dominated by monoculture and heavy pesticide use.

Backyard beekeeping will benefit many new beekeepers and existing gardeners

• Honey is a healthier sweetener than refined sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. It's a whole food, full of micronutrients from the flowers it's made from. Many people believe local honey alleviates seasonal allergy symptoms because the local pollen it contains may help immunize the body. And like every other food, home-grown honey tastes much better than what you get at the store.
• Having bees in a backyard or community garden improves pollination of flowering plants, including tomatoes, squash, pumpkins, cucumbers, beans and potatoes, as well as ornamental flowers. If you have a fruit tree in your yard, it's in your interest to have a healthy bee population in the city.
• Beekeeping is fun, educational, and easy. Learning about the amazing honey bee is a great activity for kids and a fascinating connection to natural world for everyone. Traditional hive equipment can be expensive, but simple designs like the top-bar hive can be built with scrap lumber at very low cost.

Denver's 80+ community gardens would be especially good places for beehives.

• Our community gardens would provide a large amount of diverse forage for the bees, who would improve pollination and increase yields.
• Honey would be another source of good local food for community gardeners, enhancing their health and food security.

Backyard beekeeping is safe.

• Honey bees are not aggressive. Most stings attributed to bees are actually wasps. Honey bees sting only to protect their colony or when they feel otherwise threatened. It is very rare for a bee to sting while out foraging. The proposed ordinance contains safeguards that are adequate to minimize accidental human-bee encounters and protect the small percentage of people who have a dangerous allergy to bee stings. Under the proposal, hives must be in the rear 1/3 of the lot, at least 5 feet from the side and rear property lines, with a fence or foliage barrier to make the bees fly up to a height of at least 6 feet before leaving the property.

Beekeeping is a natural part of the local eating and sustainable living movement.

• Like gardening, small-scale beekeeping is a great way to diversify and localize the food system, which enhances everyone's food security.
• Many major cities allow backyard beekeeping, including Chicago, Dallas, Boston, San Francisco and Portland. Chicago has beehives on the roof of its city hall. Here in Colorado, beekeeping is already allowed in many cities and towns, and the number is increasing. The town of Windsor recently adopted an ordinance similar to this one.

Denver is taking many steps toward improving environmental quality and sustainability in the city. Ensuring that Denver has a healthy population of honey bees is an important part of this effort. Let's get buzz-buzz-busy and vote to allow backyard beekeeping on November 17!