The steppe is a vast, treeless plain. A seemingly endless horizon interrupted only by the faint jagged line of mountains in the distance. In summer, the grasses dance in the warm breeze. In the winter, the cold winds move snow horizontally across the plains. These seemingly harsh environments evoke thoughts of distant nomads riding hard across the prairie. </p> Steppe biomes occur mainly in four regions of the world: Patagonia, Central Asia, Southern Africa and much of North America. They are typified by cold winters, hot summers and arid conditions punctuated by seasonal moisture. These habitats are very important to people in part because they are where much of our food comes from. At the same time, they are filled with flowers and beautiful, resilient plant life. </p>
On my first trip to Oaxaca, I could not have anticipated the depth of culture, the colors, the food, the history and the energy, all shared openly by the locals at every turn. The colorful streets of Oaxaca City host a blend of customs and culture that are second to none. The expansive archeological site of Monte Alban attests to a past that spans thousands of years and includes the Zapotec, Aztec, Mixtec, and other indigenous cultures, so traditions run deep. </p> Though Oaxaca City is the hub of activity, the surrounding hills and farm-quilted valleys are dotted with smaller villages, many of which support a particular niche in the larger regional community. One town may focus on hand weaving, using rich traditional colors derived from local plants, minerals, even insects. The next may be a center of mezcal production surrounded by rolling fields of blue agaves. In the next village skilled artists carve wooden alebrijes (spirit guides), intricately painted in mind-bending detail. Local shops and mercados are brimming with handmade treasures to commemorate your journey.</p> The “food scene” is legendary and local dishes with long history are the norm. Unsullied by fast food culture, most meals draw from traditional elements of corn, beans, chilis and savory meats and sauces, but don’t get the wrong impression—it’s not all the same! Good luck deciding between the tlayudas, memelas and the tacos dorados. Local herbs, tropical fruits, garlic, tomatillos, chapulines (optional!), coffee and chocolate add to the mix. A traditional Oaxacan hot chocolate with pan de yema is a great way to start a relaxed morning in a café along the ZÓcalo (main plaza). And who knew there were seven distinct types of mole, along with dozens of regional variations?</p> Few cultural experiences can compare to the colorful traditions and celebrations surrounding Día de Los Muertos in Oaxaca. The city is awash in color with strings of gold and orange marigolds and red amaranth draping windows, doors and railings. Exuberant processions seem to happen spontaneously, with musicians and giant papier-mâché effigies spinning through crowds of locals, many with faces painted as detailed calaveras and some offering quick sips of home-brewed mezcal in little bamboo flutes, along with plenty of good cheer. However, these events are peripheral to the real soul of the season. The community celebrates our shared mortal experience, quietly, as a family. Cemeteries are prepared by family members with thousands of flowers, candles and mementos as the departed are welcomed back once a year, not with sadness, but in scenes of happy remembrance.</p> For the plant lover, Oaxaca is equally rich and surprising. The city harbors its own colorful urban collection of ornamental plants, with exotic trees, palms, bougainvillea and succulents, but the real botanical riches of Oaxaca lie beyond the city. As one of the most botanically diverse regions in the world, an excursion in any direction can delight you with pine forested mountaintops, bromeliad-covered cliffs, towering cactus and VW-sized agaves, orchids, echeverias, plumerias and thousands more. If you can spend more time, Oaxaca should be on every plant lover’s list! If you have ever wanted to experience the best of true Mexico, join us on our trip to Oaxaca for Día de Los Muertos, October 28 – November 3, 2022. I wouldn’t miss it! </p>
I began researching rare alpine plants of Colorado a few years ago, progressing from understanding basic germination requirements to studying seed longevity in storage to examining the effects of increased temperature from climate change on these species. Still being somewhat new to alpine plant research, I felt it would be beneficial to meet with folks who are doing similar research—not just here in Colorado, but around the world. The Employee Engagement Committee at the Gardens funded a trip to Norway to meet with researchers at the University of Bergen who are also studying the effects of warming on alpine plant communities. </p> In mid-June, I flew from Denver to Bergen and was greeted with what I learned was typical Bergen weather. Clouds and drizzle were the norm for most of the week I was there, which of course is very different from typical Colorado weather. The moisture was evident in the lush, green landscape of the picturesque mountain setting. Not to mention the baby sheep that roamed free on the landscape… but back to the research. </p> One of the main research projects of the “Between the Fjords” lab</a> is a transplantation/warming experiment. Among the biggest threats to native alpine species that results from increased temperatures is the encroachment of low-elevation species into the alpine. So, the research group in Norway transplanted lowland species into the plant community in the alpine to understand the effects of competition. Additionally, they had plots with and without warming (using open-top chambers to increase temperatures) to understand the effects of increased temperature on alpine species both with and without competition from lowland species. </p> While this project is in its initial stages, there aren’t too many results to report on yet, but it was very helpful to see the setup of the study and learn all about the project. </p> The other field project that I saw while there is known as “the world’s wettest drought experiment” – a rain exclusion experiment at a heathland site focused on the dominate heathland plant, heather. Although not alpine, the project was still of interest to me because of a seed germination component. Seeds of the heather were collected from the various rain exclusion treatments and germinated in lab conditions to understand impact of drought conditions on germination. Although it poured the day we visited the heathland, it was still very cool to see such a different ecosystem. And as the Norwegians say, “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.” Coming from sunny Colorado, I was not prepared with adequate clothing (rain pants). </p> I hope to continue to keep in touch with the lab group in Norway and find ways to collaborate on alpine plant research, lending to a global understanding of effects of climate change on alpine communities. In particular, following my study to understand baseline fitness response to increased temperatures, I would like to use what I learned from their warming/transplant experiment and bring that to research in Colorado.</p> Alpine plant communities are changing in different ways throughout the world. For example, Europe is seeing more lowland species invading the alpine than we have seen in the United States. This could likely be the biggest threat to endemic alpine species, so understanding the effects of competition is essential to understanding response to climate change. Climate change is not a localized threat, but rather a global phenomenon that requires collaboration and understanding at an international level.</p> The knowledge that I gained while in Norway will contribute to international standardized methods of alpine plant research. Through these methods we will be able to identify species that are at greatest risk from climate change and prioritize those species for conservation, which is a core focus of the Research Department at the Gardens. Furthermore, our discussion of a collaborative seed and germination database would contribute to the global understanding of seed traits, as this is often ignored in ecology research. The researchers in Norway were particularly interested in this type of collaboration. And of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t mention that the local Denver beer that I brought with me greatly benefitted our discussions of research and future collaboration. </p>
As cities become an increasingly popular place to live for many, the importance of green spaces becomes even more relevant. Gardens and urban farms provide city-dwellers with a space to connect with nature and a respite from the heat of the urban sprawl. Located in the Denver neighborhood of Lincoln Park, the Mariposa Urban Farm is open to all. Join us as we take a tour through the farm in the peak of the growing season. </p> Start your tour on Mariposa Street, between 10th and 11th Avenues</strong>. As you look west toward the mountains, notice the main garden site of the farm. This is the first of two gardens that comprise the Mariposa Urban Farm. Follow the sidewalk alongside the garden’s edge to find an opening on the southwest corner. The raised beds are filled with leafy greens, including various types of kales, collard greens and herbs. Keep an eye out for ladybugs (a most important beneficial insect) as you take in the aroma of the Genovese basil. July is a prime growing month, and the tomatoes, peppers and squash take full advantage of the warm weather and long, sunny days. As you walk between the beds, notice the unusual varieties of veggies that come in all shades of colors and a multitude of shapes.</li> When you are ready to advance, continue your journey by walking south on Mariposa Street toward 10th Avenue</strong>. After your cross over 10th, look to your right and you will see a parking lot with a play area just beyond. The second garden, known as the East Garden, abuts the play area. As you approach the East Garden, enjoy the lush vines of Concord grapes that adorn the garden’s fence. By now, the clusters of berries are about the size of marbles and are starting to turn from green to deep purple. Make your way into the garden by entering on the west side of the fence. While this garden is much smaller than the one before, it is an important part of the Urban Farm. Here, we succession-plant lettuce mix and mustard greens for a continuous harvest throughout summer and fall. This garden also provides the community with two varieties of cucumbers (lemon and Diva) along with grapes, Honeycrisp apples and Bartlett pears from the trees in the north section of the garden.</li> </ul> </li> To finish your tour, head west on 10th Avenue toward Osage Street</strong>. Next to the train station you will find Osage Market – a Denver Housing Authority-owned affordable market with delicious food and drink options. This location is also where we hold our weekly farm stands. Come by on Thursdays from 10 a.m. – noon to pick up some produce, meet your neighbors and say hello to your local farmers. All food is distributed free of charge to combat food insecurity within the community.</li> </ul> Thanks for taking this tour! </p> With management from Gardens’ agricultural experts, Mariposa</a> residents have volunteered with the maintenance and harvesting of the Mariposa Urban Farm, located in their development. Residents volunteering with the program receive a share of the produce every week. Produce from the farm is distributed within the community on a weekly basis at no cost.</p> Here is more information about the Urban Food Programs at Denver Botanic Gardens and related community-based projects.</a></p>
Here at Chatfield Farms, we grow vegetables for several hundred people all summer long. When we make our crop plan for the season, we try to think about the variety of vegetables that we want our shareholders to receive each week throughout the season. If we want to give salad mix or carrots every other week that means we need to seed them at regular intervals until late summer when we make our last seedings for the fall. This is called succession planting. </p> Some crops like mustards or lettuces for salad mix do not hold well in the field. They take around 30 days to reach maturity and need to be harvested at their prime. Carrots, on the other hand, do hold well in the field for several weeks once they’ve reached maturity at 60-75 days. Therefore, we might plant our greens every two weeks and our carrots once a month. </p>
In the wake of the Great Resignation, building a strong company culture has become more important than ever. With an increase in working from home and hybrid schedules, it is increasingly vital to provide employees with a way to connect, engage and communicate. Enter teambuilding: your one-stop shop for facilitating and creating a healthy company culture. </p> At Chatfield Farms</a>, the venue spaces on our native plant refuge</a> are perfect to team-build or get away to reconnect with your team members. Through proper teambuilding outings, you can encourage your employees to reconnect, reengage and socialize to build a deeper connection with your company and their own teams.</p> The benefits to teambuilding are as numerous as they are helpful. Teambuilding events have been shown to increase morale, increase open and effective communication, encourage productivity and improve the mental health of your team members by providing them with a space and an event outside of their status quo. Through events and exercises you can work together to learn about each other and collaborate in a new environment. It can be easy to put teambuilding on the backburner, either because of the expense or the time investment required, but some of the most successful companies out there take full advantage and reap the benefits in the long run. </p> We also offer suggested caterers, event planners and vendors to help facilitate your teambuilding event to save you the logistical headaches that can come with planning. Take a tour of our venues and be sure to ask about our suggested partners; we’ll help you find a match for your needs. </p>
Lavender Festival at Chatfield Farms is a great place to experience all of your favorite summer activities for a number of reasons. Here are our top five:</p> Farmers Market: New to the festival this year and hosted by Chatfield Farms’ Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) team, is an opportunity to shop for fresh produce from some of the partners of our CSA program. Be sure to stop by their booth located near the entrance of the festival and pick up fresh microgreens, veggies, cookies and more. </li> Art Demonstrations: This year we are working with several talented artists that come from the Santa Fe Art District. Check out live painting and pottery demonstrations in Deer Creek Stables as well as a muralist working on a piece near our outdoor amphitheater. </li> Live Music: Enjoy a line-up of local Colorado bands performing in the amphitheater. Listen to the music while you stroll through our craft vendor booths and play lawn games or grab a seat on the grass to take a break and simply enjoy. You can also catch The Altaira Flute Ensemble performing in the Lavender Garden. </li> Nature: Experience all the magic that is Denver Botanic Gardens Chatfield Farms. Our Lavender Garden is in full bloom and the highlight of the festival. Explore all the gardens and historical buildings onsite and maybe catch a farm or garden tour</a> </strong>(advance registration for tours required, capped per tour).</li> Kids’ Activities: Promising fun for the whole family are also several activities for the kids to enjoy. We have barrel train rides and a craft area where kids can plant their own flower to take home in a container that they decorate.</li> </ol> Lavender Festival runs Saturday & Sunday, July 16 & 17. Tickets are on sale now</a>, so get yours today. </p>
I have been working with some old rose plants</a> recently. Roughly 80 years old, we think, and last week I saw them bloom for the first time</a>. </p> The plants grow in the concrete rubble of a bunk house at Amache, Colorado’s World War II-era Japanese-American concentration camp. Even though the plants haven’t been cared for since 1945, against the odds they have managed to survive. </p>
June is the time of year gardeners are busy growing crops in hopes of an end-of-summer bounty of fruits and veggies to be harvested. Leading up to this harvest, gardeners tend diligently by fertilizing, pinching and watering. But there is one more thing that is essential to a good backyard harvest: the right pollinator to finish the job. It’s no secret that we rely on pollinators for plant biodiversity and crop sustainability; but did you know it sometimes takes a specific pollinator to be able to fertilize those veggie flowers in your garden? </p> Some pollinators, specifically certain species of solitary bees and bumblebees, use distinct vibrations made by contracting their flight muscles to help extract pollen from flowers. They hold on tight to the flower and start vibrating away; in doing so, the bees incidentally fertilize flowers as they visit them. This term is known as “buzz pollination” or “floral sonication.” </p> This is important because in some flowers’ morphology, the pollen is crammed tightly into the anther (the part of the plant that holds the pollen) and can only be released from the tip through pores or slits (the technical term is “poricidal”). The classic example one can think of is by looking at the nightshade family (i.e. Solanum</em>, or tomato) flower, where the pollen is tucked away in the center yellow column-like tubes protruding from the flower. Without sonication, most insects are unable to access the nutritious pollen that is packed in this way. But, in buzzing and booming away at the perfect frequency and amplitude, bumblebees can access this nutritious meal and meanwhile drop off pollen from earlier stops they make, therefore fertilizing flowers as they go. </p> Not all pollinators are capable of this buzz pollinating. Only about half of all bee species can generate the frequencies required to release pollen; this buzzing mechanism is restricted to bumblebees and many types of solitary bees. Oddly enough, honeybees are unable to pollinate in this manner. Although honeybees can do some of the pollinating, they are not as efficient in producing the same high crop yields that the bumblebees can. </p> The type of flower morphology that requires buzz pollination assistance is also limited to certain species of flowering plants – the more well-known ones including tomato, eggplant, tomatillo, kiwi and blueberry. If your veggie garden is full of tomatoes and eggplant, that means a lot of it will necessitate bumblebees and solitary bees to ensure flowers are fertilized with resulting fruits being made! There is, however, still room for the bustling honeybee in the veggie garden. Some crops do not have a need for those special mechanical vibrations to access pollen, including squashes and gourds. </p> Next time you hear those humble, bumbling bumblebees “happily a-buzzing” away in your garden beds, hopefully you will give some praise and remember their important role to the crops we grow and eat every day! </p> </p> This article first appeared in the June issue of Life on Capitol Hill.</em> </p>
