The illustration above appeared as the third panel of my “Predictions 2011” Worst-Case Scenario comic in the December 30, 2010 issue of Westword. I was predicting that the success of the Denver County Fair would turn all loft and apartment residents into rooftop and balcony farmers. But, in truth, the…
Throughout its history, Globeville has been separated from Denver by the South Platte River, the railyards and two interstate highways. Consequently, the isolated residents have created a kingdom with a unique urban-farming culture. Globeville eggplant, a member of the tobacco family, is the healthy and habit-forming king of Globeville vegetables…..
Of all of the competitions at the first ever Denver County Fair (held from July 28 through 31, 2011, in the Expo and Stadium Halls of the National Western Complex), the most prized Blue Ribbon should go to Denver’s most prized crop — Capitol Hill cannabis indica…..
In Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from Zeus and stored it in the hollow stalks of Athmar Park fennel to free mankind from the brutish ignorance of the gods. Today, the plant grows wild in the yards of neighborhood bungalows and is eaten raw as a natural treatment for glaucoma…
Built in 1887, 1906 and 1955 respectively, Capitol Hill Basins Numbers one, two and three were built in Congress Park to hold a three-day supply of water for the 105,000 Denver residents who lived downtown. Consequently, Congress Park Cauliflower has always thrived in the cooler, moister atmosphere of the neighborhood…
Originally found along the banks of Bear Creek, the vitamin-rich medicinal qualities of Bear Valley watercress attracted seniors in search of better health to settle the neighborhood in the mid-1960s. Now grown in water gardens across the city, Bear Valley watercress is highly prized for it’s ability to turn back…
Valverde is a historic west side neighborhood that is a complex blend of light industry and single-family housing. It is the perfect place to grow Valverde tomatillo. A member of the tomato family, the Valverde tomatillo plant bears bright green fruits with a taste that is a complex blend of…
Dating back to the 1911, the Elyria-Swansea heirloom tomato was developed by stockyard workers who wanted to create the perfect beefsteak tomato. It has since become a Mile High favorite that is undoubtedly destined to be the first blue ribbon winner at the Denver County Fair…..
Clayton sweet potato is a North American native that was cultivated in Polynesia long before western exploration, and was ranked highest among all vegetables in nutritional value by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. It’s no wonder that the Clayton sweet potato is considered more flavorful than its…
Developed by hippies in the early 1970s, Baker green peas have been specially adapted for the cooler climate of the Baker neighborhood lifestyle. Guaranteed to produce a diversity of sustainable and nurturing pods, gardeners in all Denver neighborhoods are encouraged to give Baker green peas a chance…..
By 1904, West Colfax Avenue, originally the southern road from Denver to Golden, had become the main street of the Denver Jewish community. A longtime favorite of the “Mile Chai” West Colfax neighborhood is chicken vegetable soup made with Sloan Lake turnip, U-Hills parsnip and West Colfax Kohlrabi…..
Lincoln Park asparagus can be grown from seeds or crowns, but the latter method respects the prestige of Lincoln Park. Home to the Santa Fe Arts District, Denver Health Hospital, West High School, Xcel Energy Zuni Generation Station and the 105-year-old Buckhorn Exchange, Lincoln Park is the crown jewel of…
Although it vaguely resembles broccoli, Belcaro broccoli rabe is actually an Italian bitter green with a pungent, assertive flavor. Much like the neighborhood for which it is named, Belcaro broccoli rabe is considered an acquired taste — but once acquired, the flavor of this bitter green becomes beautiful and dear…..
By arranging compact cabbages in spiral clusters around a thick stalk in an effort to realize maximum nutritional values with minimal land use, the Stapleton Brussels sprout has quickly become the profit-driven urban planner’s dream vegetable…..
Summer squash originated in Mexico in 5500 BC and was brought to Europe by Columbus himself. The zucchini as we know it today was developed by the Italians into a magic plant that could provide for all the necessities of family living. In Denver’s Westwood neighborhood, the zucchini provides everything…
Known as green beans or snap beans in other parts of Denver, Cole pole beans are excellent, inner-city stringless bean plants that are far more productive than bush bean variety. The perfect choice for tight spots and narrow lots in historic neighborhoods, Cole pole bean plants become upwardly mobile when…
Long before it was developed in the 1950s, the University Hills neighborhood was home to a huge prairie dog colony. The noisy varmints were attracted to the University Hills parsnip plants that grew wild and were a mainstay of their diet. While much remains the same today, the prairie dogs…
Marston is Denver’s land-o-lakes neighborhood. The fertile land that lies between the six bodies of water (Grant Lake A, Grant Lake B, Grant Lake C, Bowles Lake, Lake of the Lake and Marston Reservoir) is filled with urban farms that are famous for growing summer squash. Naturally, it has become…
Early residents of the treeless Highland neighborhood were able to cool their homes from the punishing heat of Denver’s summer sun by growing fast-growing hop plants. In the fall, the nearby Tivoli and Zang’s breweries would buy the bounty of Highland’s harvested hop cones to add a distinct flavor to…
Berkeley has a long history of growing food for the creatures of Denver. In its early days, the entire neighborhood was an alfalfa farm that produced feed for the horses that pulled city streetcars. Over time, the land was developed into the city lots — now tended by the urban…
Revegetation is the natural process of plant colonization designed to repair damage to a neighborhood due to stalled mixed-use retail development projects. A simple application of Hale Kale seed in untended flower pots and abandoned parking strips is believed to grow leafy greens that have potent anti-cancer properties for real…
Much like Denver’s City Park, the celery plant has a long history of being all things to all people. While the celery plant has been used to embalm King Tut, decorate Greek athletes, flavor Italian meatballs and as a conduit for spray cheese, equally versatile City Park has been home…
