The Gardeners are busy at Wellspring! Outdoor Garden Classes in the Community Gardens at Castle Rock Adventist Hospital (Garden of Eatin) and at CALF Ranch gardens got off to a late start with spring snows and hail postponing the growing season. Gardening is in full swing now with the warm days of summer upon us! STARS have been spending time planting, watering, weeding, and nurturing nine raised beds at CRAH and also the garden space at CALF Ranch. We have also been learning about health benefits and interesting facts of vegetables that we are growing, as well as tasting the available store-bought produce for now.
We are growing a variety of items including carrots, beets, spinach, lettuce, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, rhubarb, tomatoes, basil, chives, oregano, thyme, parsley, cilantro, mint, lemon balm, sunflowers, cosmos and marigolds. We can’t wait to harvest and taste what we have grown! Chef Todd and Chef June at the Wellspring Café have already used several items on the special item menu including mint, and chives, and chive blossoms.
The gardens are a wonderfully sensory exploration for all. There are many ways to experience this simply by being outside in the fresh air, but also recognizing aromas of herbs, feeling the cool misting of the water on hot days, hearing the sounds of the birds that frequent the gardens, and of course the pleasure of getting your hands dirty for those who dare! The journey of nurturing plants through this season of growth parallels many life lessons and skills. STARS love seeing the progress every week from seedling to sprout to substantial plant, and then to flowering, and finally food. A real example of farm to table right here at Wellspring!