Harlequin Gardens geo-thermal greenhouse.
Cord and I had a big weekend adventure north recently and it was fun, fun, fun. Our first stop was a consultation in Boulder with a nice couple trying to make their all-glazed little greenhouse work for them. We shared lots of information and left them excited to get started.
The next stop was a place we've wanted to go for a long time - Harlequin Gardens in Boulder. Mikl and Eve Brawner run this nursery using this subterranean - geo-thermal greenhouse - no fuel bill of course. And of course - we love any smart greenhouse - not just our design - but others that work fuel-less as well.
They grow lots of natives, lots of water-wise plants and are practicing sustainability everywhere you look. Worm compost is making under the benches - leaves are fed to worms - and everytime the flats above them are watered - it moistens the piles underneath. At the end of the season Mikl applies it to the gardens and then starts again. Cord and Mikl had a great time talking greenhouse talk. Cord is currently designing greenhouses so he likes to learn about other sustainable designs. They had a great time while Eve showed me around to all of the established gardens there. I loved the site - very real - with high-quality plants.
The next stop was a place we've wanted to go for a long time - Harlequin Gardens in Boulder. Mikl and Eve Brawner run this nursery using this subterranean - geo-thermal greenhouse - no fuel bill of course. And of course - we love any smart greenhouse - not just our design - but others that work fuel-less as well.
They grow lots of natives, lots of water-wise plants and are practicing sustainability everywhere you look. Worm compost is making under the benches - leaves are fed to worms - and everytime the flats above them are watered - it moistens the piles underneath. At the end of the season Mikl applies it to the gardens and then starts again. Cord and Mikl had a great time talking greenhouse talk. Cord is currently designing greenhouses so he likes to learn about other sustainable designs. They had a great time while Eve showed me around to all of the established gardens there. I loved the site - very real - with high-quality plants.
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BBB Seed - Beauty Beyond Belief/Bounty Beyond Belief/Botanicals Beyond Belief
Cord and our friend Mike Wade at BBB.
Cord and Mike Wade at BBB Seed - woohoo! We love being around seeds - they throb with life! They are wildflower specialists but they also have a vegetable line - all heirloom and mostly organic.
We met Mike at Seed School and also know his daughter so we really like this company. BBB stands for Beauty Beyond Belief - an old Boulder wildflower seed company and the new vegetable line - Bounty Beyond Belief - and new - Botanicals Beyond Belief - very nice.
It was fun to hang out with the Head Honcho himself - check them out at: http://www.bbbseed.com/
We met Mike at Seed School and also know his daughter so we really like this company. BBB stands for Beauty Beyond Belief - an old Boulder wildflower seed company and the new vegetable line - Bounty Beyond Belief - and new - Botanicals Beyond Belief - very nice.
It was fun to hang out with the Head Honcho himself - check them out at: http://www.bbbseed.com/
On To Panayoti's
What a blast - a 'cheesball' picture to make us laugh!
Panayoti and Jan are our wonderful friends and hosts when we come to teach in Denver. They won't be stopped - they insist we come and we absolutely love that.
They are the most wonderful hosts - and we laugh and laugh.
We brought last-minute friend's so Panayoti put on some more chops - they are amazing and it is the most comfortable place to stay.
We arrived after our wild day in Boulder - and after a huge feast and lots of great conversation with the world travelers - we crashed - ready to teach in the morning.
Thank you - as always you two - we have a blast - hee hee.
We credit Panayoti for discovering us - and Jan was our first friend at DBG. What fun.
They are the most wonderful hosts - and we laugh and laugh.
We brought last-minute friend's so Panayoti put on some more chops - they are amazing and it is the most comfortable place to stay.
We arrived after our wild day in Boulder - and after a huge feast and lots of great conversation with the world travelers - we crashed - ready to teach in the morning.
Thank you - as always you two - we have a blast - hee hee.
We credit Panayoti for discovering us - and Jan was our first friend at DBG. What fun.
Teaching at Denver Botanic Gardens
My Big Ol' Man - teaching Sustainable Greenhouse Design.
 Lots of students! And For Added Fun... |  In beautiful Gates Hall. |
They had it loaded so fast - I could barely get a picture.
Our son Max to the rescue. "Max, hook up the flat bed, load the ramps, chains and tools and drive to Denver and rescue us." "Okay." As he hung up the phone Cord said, "It's great having a grown man for a son!" It's only a 44' rig all hooked up plus he had to hook it up - make sure the lights work, find a spare, amongst other things - like he's 18. Of course he did it all - no problem.
 Chaining it down. |  Loading the ramps while Cord chains the back. |
I'd rather break down in the wilderness than in the city any day. At least then, I'd know what to do. The best option was Max bringing us the ability to get it home to our awesome mechanic - Paul Austin - of Austin Automotive.
We took Max out to dinner on the way home and then stopped in Canon City after dark and dropped the car and it's broken fuel pump - off at the mechanic. But still - the trip was great, the students were wonderful - and we made many great connections.
We are planning the next greenhouse class in Kittredge, Co - coming up next month. Until then, we are starting seeds like crazy and planning the 2013 season. Be back soon with more tomato talk.
We took Max out to dinner on the way home and then stopped in Canon City after dark and dropped the car and it's broken fuel pump - off at the mechanic. But still - the trip was great, the students were wonderful - and we made many great connections.
We are planning the next greenhouse class in Kittredge, Co - coming up next month. Until then, we are starting seeds like crazy and planning the 2013 season. Be back soon with more tomato talk.
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