Friday, June 6, 2008

Gardening at Colterra Food and Wine

I am a member of the staff at Colterra Food and Wine. Visit the web site to learn why this garden is important to everyone that becomes involved with the restaurant.

The garden is an on going project with plantings trying to keep up with consumption.

Starter plants are everywhere waiting to be grounded.


These Rhubarb plants look a little spare because over the last weekend the kitchen made a wonderful Strawberry and Rhubarb Galette. We sold every one.

Someone's been trimming the Chives.

Greens used in our salads.

One should be so lucky to be seated on this table for six on the outdoor patio next to the garden under the shaded protection of hundred year old trees.

This house is called the "Gables" and is used for larger private parties. It is one of two historic houses that are occupied by the restaurant.

Behind the Gables is an area that will be covered this winter to allow greens to be grown year round.

These beds were just planted with tomatoes. Nothing like August tomatoes in Colorado.

Steven preparing an alfresco table for evening service.

Home Gardening

Inspired by a Pete Wells blog in the New York Times Diner's Journal.
To take pictures and post them with stories.

I used to plant in the local Boulder Community Gardens
a number of years ago. The Candy Corn never seemed to make it out of the garden as I ate it raw.

Originally my homeowners association wouldn't let us have gardens on the grounds because of what would happen when the gardeners left, who would take card of the tilled ground.

Well now we have numerous plots located around the grounds.

The following pictures were taken June 5th 2008.

This plot was abandoned by a resident that moved to another part of town. I got in late last year and planted Candy Corn on the 15th of June. When I prepared the soil for planting it was hard and appeared sterile, there were no worms. Catherine must have had some results the year before as some volunteers came back. I ended up getting seven ears of corn.

Just a close up of my little babies.

So this is a little close up of a planting of Italian Torpedo Onions in the "Flower Pot" at the entrance to our condo circle.

Last year I planted some Italian Red Torpedo Onions in some small plots at my mother's house across town. I had heard about them in the restaurant business and researched them enough to want to plant some. The classic presentation is to slice them length ways and grill them. Even a little heat made them almost too mild to appreciate. What I didn't sell to the local restaurants went raw into salads or other yummy items.


It just seemed like a perfect place to plant some of the onions. I'm not sure about the amount of sunshine in this plot but it keeps the cats out.


A close up of my "official" garden plot. It's all onions and the other gardeners are curious about my intentions. I sell them to the local restaurants. Actually I take trade at the restaurants, barter is good for both sides.

Look for a lonely Petunia in the future.

The plot right next to mine was used by Ian last year but he moved. This lettuce is a volunteer from last year and will soon be requisitioned for Colterra Food and Wine, the restaurant where I work for a living.

Some more of Ian's volunteers.

Mike, one of the residents that likes to help others keep an eye on their plots.

Here's Mike overlooking his plot. Those radishes are getting big.

I printed this picture and titled it "Garden Gnome" and hung it on the back yard fence.

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