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COTE: Seeds of self-sufficiency

By Maria Cote, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published June 12, 2008 at 7 p.m.

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Friends and neighbors help Russell Dale plan, plant and maintain his garden in South Denver's Platt Park neighborhood.

Photo by Russell A. Dale

Friends and neighbors help Russell Dale plan, plant and maintain his garden in South Denver's Platt Park neighborhood.

"It's great for the kids who come over," says Russell A. Dale. "They love to plant and to gather. Too many people just pick up their lettuce, tomatoes and peppers and have no idea what it takes to grow it all. People need to learn to appreciate the cycle of life."

Photo by Special To The Rocky

"It's great for the kids who come over," says Russell A. Dale. "They love to plant and to gather. Too many people just pick up their lettuce, tomatoes and peppers and have no idea what it takes to grow it all. People need to learn to appreciate the cycle of life."

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Yeah, gas prices are scary. And sure, a trip to the store will drain your wallet of all those crisp, green bills.

But come on, people, you're wasting precious energy flapping your jaw, whining about the high price of this and the rocketing cost of that. Not to mention the time wasted calling the bank to find out if you're really overdrawn.

You can mope about it, or you can take the advice of Russell A. Dale.

"It costs around $1.50 to buy a pepper at the store these days," says Dale, 32. "It costs so little for a packet of seeds. Get out in the garden, start planting and you'll have a ton of produce."

Veggie gardening is as hot as an eggplant in the noonday sun right now, according to Krystal Keistler, a manager at Echter's Garden Center, 5150 Garrison St., Arvada.

"It's about 30 percent above last year's average," says Keistler, noting that tomatoes, peppers, heirloom plants and herbs are selling incredibly well - more young plants than seeds this time of year. "People want to grow the veggies that are most expensive in the store."

With the cost of gasoline, many are choosing to limit travel, Keistler says. "They're spending their vacations at home, relaxing and caring for their gardens."

Dale's sizable backyard garden is settled in South Denver's Platt Park neighborhood.

He calls his urban wonderland a true community garden.

In early spring, a group of friends and neighbors show up to plan, plant and maintain the garden.

"I have a barbecue most every weekend, and we'll have up to 15 people out there," says Dale, a dispatcher for the Aurora Public Schools security department.

"I'll feed them, but not until they get out there and do some weeding," he says with a laugh. "They have to earn their food."

This year, the plants growing mostly in raised beds include cucumbers, yellow squash, zucchini, carrots, green beans, pie pumpkins, potatoes, garlic, radishes, herbs and a variety of tomatoes and peppers.

His friends share in the work, and the fruits of their labor.

"It's great for the kids who come over. They love to plant and to gather," Dale says. "Too many people just pick up their lettuce, tomatoes and peppers and have no idea what it takes to grow it all. People need to learn to appreciate the cycle of life."

And what better place to appreciate it than with good friends, he adds.

"The garden is a peaceful place, full of wonder."

Comments

  • June 12, 2008

    10:55 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    flight0001 writes:

    OH YEAH!

  • June 12, 2008

    11:42 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    Mooks writes:

    Great Idea....!!!!!! Hope your crops are healthy and hearty..... Papa Vick would be proud.... Save me a "Mater"..... Marty

  • June 13, 2008

    9:48 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    beast1624 writes:

    Good idea for all of us!

  • June 13, 2008

    10:58 a.m.

    Suggest removal

    nicarusone writes:

    Great story and wish you could home help me start at garden here in the Dallas area.

  • June 13, 2008

    1:06 p.m.

    Suggest removal

    eyrys writes:

    right on! vegetables will get you through.