Lettuce Patch Gardens

For more than twenty years, this urban garden has been cultivating its own food in the Colorado Springs area. Known for its commitment to the community, local economy, and sustainable agriculture, it has transitioned from offering a CSA to focusing on educating others about local food and gardening through its website and blog.

The garden employs biointensive methods, which emphasize organic techniques without chemical fertilizers or pesticides. It focuses on building healthy soil through composting kitchen scraps, leaves, and garden waste. The garden uses closely spaced plantings in wide beds to minimize water use and relies on hand tools to avoid fossil fuel consumption. Green manures and compost crops are grown to feed the soil, and mini-greenhouses extend the growing season year-round without extensive heating or cooling systems.

Located in the Cheyenne Cañon area on a .2 acre city lot, the garden grows mainly herbs and vegetables, avoiding fruit to deter local bears. The website offers recipes, gardening tips, and articles, and encourages visitors to sign up for newsletters. Produce is available for purchase at a local health food store, and the garden aims to expand urban market-gardening in Colorado Springs.