10 Steps to Starting a

"It has brought together

Community Garden faculty and students who
otherwise might not ever DU
have met."
1.
2.
Gather a group of interested people.
Find a suitable plot of land on which to
begin your garden. Be sure to account
Professor David Ceipley Gardens
for access to water, amount of sunlight,
and accessibility to other gardeners.
3. Once land has been secured, begin to
University of
plan your garden. What kind of plots Denver
will you have, responsibilities, layout,
etc.
QuickTimeª and a
4. Create a garden contract; this will TIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor
ensure all members are clear on rules are needed to see this picture.

and expectations, and this will help to

avoid later conflicts.
5. Set up the garden! Prep the soil, lay out
plots, and set up irrigation.
6. After the infrastructure of the garden
has been implemented, begin planting!
7. Keep a journal logging progress in the
garden, and noting what work needs to
be done.
8. Tend lovingly to your plants, and watch
your harvest grow! Make adjustments
as necessary to watering schedules,
planting schedules, and be sure to keep
up with weeding and thinning of the
plants.
9. Reap your harvest. Enjoy the fruits of
your labor, and consider sharing with DU Gardens
other community members who are not
as fortunate to have their own garden
project or easy access to healthy foods.
10. Spread the word! Invite people to visit University of Denver
your garden project and tell them about
your success story. Encourage them to
join your project next season or to begin www.dugardens.org
their own project. You will personally
experience the benefits of community
gardening, so be sure to share your
experience with others.
DU Gardens
Student Organization/ Club
In the Spring of 2011, a new
organization was founded called
DU Gardens. This group is
dedicated to the promotion of
student and community engagement
within the DU Bridge Community
Garden and the DU Permaculture
Garden
Both gardens operate with
sustainable standards striving to be
"beyond organic"
__________________________
"Certified Organic" = A term defined by
the USDA
* Location: Outside of University of
"Beyond Organic" = A grassroots
movement
*
Organic agriculture benefits the earth
* Staff
Many farmers choose organic practices for
the resulting purity and sustainability of
land and produce
* intended for use by courses across
Organic foods are healthier and safer to eat
The Bridge Community
Garden
Location: South High St. and East
Colorado Ave.
 The DU Bridge Garden is
a member of the Denver Urban
Gardens Network.
 The goal of the space is
to bridge the gap between the DU
student community and those in the
surrounding neighborhood. By
pairing students with neighborhood
plot holders, we ensure a prosperous
garden and a close-knit community.
Campus Permaculture
Garden
Denver's Cherrington Hall (South
Central Campus)
 Maintained by Students, Faculty, &
 Lovely part of campus as well as a
learning space/ outdoor classroom
the disciplines.
 Been used by a group of students to
create a GIS (Geographic
Information System) map of the
major trees and shrubbery.
Supporting Gardens in
Schools
 As they have become increasingly
popular, community gardens have
spread to schools.
 Denver Public Schools are working to
become a “self-feeding” system.
 Efforts are being made by school
boards, students, and community
members to integrate gardens into
school lunchrooms and the education
curriculum.
 School gardens have helped to create
stronger relationships between the
community member and the school,
and most importantly, between the
students and the garden itself.
 Schools hope to be able to offer their
produce in cafeterias soon.
 School boards are making efforts that
will allow for the integration of the
gardens into school curriculum.
 Integration into the curriculum would
allow for students to apply their
abstract school material to a real-life
situation