Lately, ranchers and community leaders in southeastern Colorado are feeling a bit like the battle-weary Michael Corleone of The Godfather Part III. Every time you think you’re out, they pull you back in — “they” being the Pentagon planners seeking more intense use of the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site, a…
Two weeks ago, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar surfaced in Alamosa, surrounded by state leaders, to present the results of a federal study aimed at promoting tourism and conservation in the San Luis Valley. The National Park Service’s study pushes for conservation easements, recreational trails and landmark designations for…
On Wednesday, Alamosa-born Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar will return to his roots — again — as part of a long-simmering effort to promote tourism and conservation in Colorado’s much-praised, much-neglected San Luis Valley. Accompanied by Governor John Hickenlooper and Senators Michael Bennet and Mark Udall, Salazar will visit…
Lowry leeks are closely related to Denver Onions but have a sweeter, creamier, more delicate urban flavor. Prized by residents who seek urban flavor without all the dicing and tears, Lowry leeks are extremely hardy and many will grow in a compact space…..
In the handy guide detailed below, the Rocky Ford Clean Melon Queen shows you how to avoid listeria contamination by following these eight easy steps to clean Colorado cantaloupes…..
The University Park turban squash is a colorful heirloom that inspired the design of University of Denver’s Chamberlin Observatory back in 1889. Just as the observatory helps students look deep into the night sky, the buttercup-type squash is better for gazing than grazing…..
Much like the residents of the Skyland neighborhood, fungal mats are the most prolific biological entities on the planet and respond with inherent intelligence to stressed environments by recycling plant and animal debris into a nutritious food source…..
Much like the radish, the Green Valley Ranch neighborhood has a multicultural reputation for diversity. The Egyptians revered the nutritional riches and paid pyramid workers in radishes, while the Greeks prized the peppery punch as a means to punish infidels by inserting golf-ball sized radishes into the rectums of unfaithful…
Long before light industry’s varnish and diesel fumes flavored the air of the South Platte neighborhood, truck farms utilized the area’s fertile river bottom soil to grow the aromatic vegetable used to flavor the dishes of Denver dinner tables…..
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…..
