Come visit the garden!

• Address: Clayton Elementary School 475 W Union Ave, Englewood, CO 80110 The garden is located on the northeast corner of the campus at Tufts and Delaware.
• Master Gardener Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday mornings from 8 to 10 a.m. Starting in June through mid October.
• Contact us: By Email or phone at 303-730-1920.

The CSU Master Gardener demonstration vegetable garden is located on the northeast corner of the Clayton Elementary School campus at the intersection of Tufts and Delaware. The Clayton Community Garden has 7 plots for elementary grades and 15 community plots. The Colorado Master Gardeners have 1 plot. Herbs, blackberries, fruit trees and pollinator plants are grown in the shared common area of the garden.

This is a unique community garden. It’s part of a partnership between Clayton Elementary School, Colorado Master Gardeners, and Denver Urban Gardens. The partnership aims to use the Colorado Master Gardeners’ plot to show and share gardening tips and techniques, and for Clayton students to learn about gardening and share their excitement and knowledge with their families and community.

CMGs plant and maintain a Demonstration Garden. We put into practice the research based information that we have learned through our training. We enjoy sharing these best practices with all who visit the garden. We’ve successfully grown varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, root crops, greens, peas, beans, flowers, etc. All of our produce is shared with the community and also donated to Integrated Family Community Services and the school districts Englewood Resource Center. The Clayton Community Garden has been able to donate hundreds of pounds of produce to those in need.

During the growing season, as we discover pest issues throughout the garden, we are able to research and help educate the other community gardeners. Working alongside the gardeners helps to put into practice best techniques. Building trust and community relationships helps to get others involved in gardening.

Early in the spring, Colorado Master Gardeners, in collaboration with the Clayton STEAM Instructor, meet with students. The students have the opportunity to have hands on experiences with many gardening and plant related topics. In addition, CMGs collaborate with each class to plan, and plant their grade level plots. During this time CMGs work with the students in learning the importance of each part of the plant, what a plant needs to be healthy and the importance of pollination in producing fruits and seeds.

Early spring, mid summer and fall, CMGs work alongside the Clayton Community on garden workdays in maintaining all areas of the garden. Once a month, during the growing season, CMGs offer an informal presentation on timely gardening topics. These presentations are open to the public and cover a range of topics, such as pollinators, soil and compost, planting, weeds, pests, harvesting and watering. Stop by to learn and grow with us!

This demonstration garden contributes to the CSU “Grow and Give” program, a larger hunger relief effort in Colorado. Once harvesting starts, students can take produce from the school plots home to share, while any excess may be donated to Integrated Family Community Services. Produce from the Colorado Master Gardeners’ plot is donated to Integrated Family Community Services.

Information on growing Vegetables and Herbs:
https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/gardening-resources/online-garden-publications/vegetables-and-herbs/

Flowering Herbaceous Plants: Flowers, Ground Covers, and Ornamental Grasses:https://cmg.extension.colostate.edu/gardening-resources/online-garden-publications/flowering-herbaceous-plants-flowers-ground-covers-and-ornamental-grasses/

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