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…
Corn is America’s most widely grown crop and is the main grain used to fuel the cars, pets and people that are in continuous motion around Smith Lake in Washington Park. Urban farmers who want to grow the biggest, sweetest ears of the nation’s favorite food need only look up…
Traditionally, several Native American groups planted sunflowers on the north side of their gardens as a “fourth sister” to complement the better known three sisters combination of corn, beans, and squash. Denver gardeners can cultivate a quick history and pay tribute to a north-side Denver neighborhood by planting Sunnyside sunflower…
Even though household incomes in the Country Club neighborhood are three times higher than the citywide average, money does not grow on trees for residents there. The privileged citizens who live west of the Cherry Creek shopping district grow their money the old-fashioned way — by sowing plenty of Country…
In addition to being the home of Invesco Field at Mile High, Sun Valley has the lowest median age (thirteen) of all Denver neighborhoods. And much like inner-city children and fans of Denver Broncos football, Sun Valley horseradish root sets will grow wild with minimal supervision…..
Foodies visiting the Kitchen Pavilion during the Denver County Fair will be treated to a cavalcade of competitive cook-offs. A first-class contender for most versatile international ingredient would be the prolific okra pod. Like neighborhood residents, East Colfax okra loves the heat and is a delicious treat when it is…
In all probability, the Farm and Garden Pavilion of the Denver County Fair will be packed with high-rise-condo farmers when the the blue-ribbon pickle prize is announced. Summer growers of the new Cheesman Cucumber Balcony Bush Hybrid are sure to turn the parkside neighborhood into a pickle-lover’s paradise…..
While the battle for blue ribbons rages between homegrown fruits, vegetables and flowers at the first annual Denver County Fair, it is almost certain that the arugula plant won’t join the competition. Like the residents of the Alamo Placita neighborhood, arugula is frequently cultivated, but it can never be considered…
Lovers of intense competition won’t want to miss this summer’s battle between homegrown fruits, vegetables, herbs and flowers for blue ribbons at the Denver County Fair. Among the top contenders in the fierce fight for this town’s hottest tomato will be Mar Lee Sweeties, the perfectly sized cherry tomato plant…
For Denver urban gardeners, the second week of May is the most fantastic week of the year. This is the week that the chances for a frost drop dramatically and it becomes safe to plant nearly any seed. Consequently, it is the week that urban farmers experience their greatest fantasies…
The Five Points neighborhood has always been fertile ground for growing art, music and literature. Five Points beets pay tribute to that legacy by honoring “beet generation” authors Neal Cassady, Allen Ginsberg and Jack Kerouac…..
Don’t let this weekend’s Cinco de Mayo and Mother’s Day party schedule keep you from digging in your garden. Summer weather blazes into town today and the heat is on — especially for urban gardeners who plant electric-red Ruby Hill Habaneros from the Denver Neighborhood Seed Co……
At the heart of the Washington Virginia Vale neighborhood sits the Four Mile House, the Denver landmark that served as a stage stop, wayside inn and tavern to travelers on the Cherokee Trail. Here, the big appetites of strangers have always been satisfied by the biggest of fruits…..
