Community Garden

Garden Plots are now available!

Grow fresh fruits and vegetables at the Nelson Family Community Garden (4943 State Hwy 52)! Plots of varying sizes are available and ready for planting season. Gardening is a relaxing activity that pays dividends of home-grown produce. No tools? No problem! Nelson Family Community Garden supplies the tools and water. If you're ready for this summer-long commitment, the Garden Manager would love to hear from you. Email the Garden Manager for more information. As a volunteer, the Garden Manager's role is to support the gardeners and report periodically to the Town and Longmont United Hospital (Centura). In 2021, The Town of Frederick awarded a $500.00 grant to the Community Garden.

Thank you to Longmont United Hospital, who built and donated this garden as a gift to our community when they opened Indian Peaks Medical Center (IPMC) in late 2013. Their generosity also includes paying for water, not charging for the plots, supplying the shed and tools, and encouraging us to use the IPMC facility for restrooms and drinking fountains!

The garden name comes from the family that previously owned this property and were patrons of the hospital. We are proud to have the local heritage of the Nelson family recognized.

Each gardener has responsibilities that include the overall garden maintenance and our plots, so dig in! 

The garden is organic. Because organic definitions can vary and some organically labeled products can be as toxic as synthetic versions, be conservative and cautious - more on that in the rules.  Be aware of wildlife visitors. You will enjoy sightings of many birds of prey, raccoons, rabbits, coyotes, snakes, and other "critters". 

Rabbits love newly sprouted plants and can cut them down to nothing in no time. Snakes are more of a surprise than harmful, so unless you hear a rattle, know they are harmless and can be moved aside with a shovel. We have voles, mice, toads, and many insects. Did you know snakes, toads and spiders eliminate huge numbers of garden pests? Start your day by gardening in the morning to the bright song from a meadow lark – it does not get any better!

There is a beehive in the garden. We partner with a local beekeeper, and we benefit by having excellent pollination and being a part of saving bees. The hive is in a securely fenced area, large enough to observe from the fence – you will find it fascinating to watch the bees come in on the landing board and head out again. On hot days, watch for them to "fan" at the opening to circulate air in the hive, cooling the bees and evaporating the nectar. Our beekeeper offers his knowledge to our gardeners, and we will let you know if one of those opportunities arises. Please stay out of the fenced hive area and do not disturb the hive (rock throwing, etc.). We may get lucky and sample some honey late in the summer! Our beekeeper may added more hives in 2021.

Through community gardening, you can have an incredibly positive effect on other gardeners, your neighborhood, and your community. 

If you would like to have a plot in 2022, please read the rules, fill out the Nelson Family Community Garden Application, Waiver, and Agreement and email it to our Community Garden Manager