Monday, June 24, 2019

Opening night for the 2019 Garden Bloggers Fling, at The GrowHaus

Each year the Garden Bloggers Fling begins with an opening night bash. Held on Thursday evening—before the event proper gets underway on Friday morning—it's an opportunity for experienced fingers to see old friends, for new flingers to get their feet wet, and for the organizers to set the tone for the next three days. This year the party was at The GrowHaus...

The colorful murals and painted signs told us this wasn't a stuffy affair.

The sheer quantity of plants had us well, at least me, feeling right at home.

Big leaves, stock tanks, a jungly feel...

Here are a few of my fellow GBF attendees, the second bus hadn't arrived quite yet.

The GrowHaus is a is a nonprofit indoor farm, their vision is to bring about a neighborhood-based food system in their community which is healthy, equitable, and resident-driven. They achieve this vision through three program areas:

FOOD PRODUCTION: The GrowHaus produces fresh produce year-round. Their three growing operations demonstrate a variety of innovative, community-oriented urban farming techniques: Hydroponics Farm, Aquaponics Farm, Growasis Permaculture Farm

FOOD DISTRIBUTION: In addition to farms, a healthy food system needs infrastructure for food processing and distribution. The GrowHaus works with community members to provide fresh and healthy food at a price residents can afford. They have a daily market and food boxes for sale.

FOOD EDUCATION: The GrowHaus offers education for people of all ages and backgrounds around nutrition, gardening, cooking, and other essential skills for building healthy communities. (source)

Unfortunately we couldn't actually walk out into the growing area (regulations on access to edibles) but there were lots of windows for us to check out what they were up to.

We were also able to spy on the mushroom growing operation through a window, but the photo I took was too dark.

The entire operation was very impressive.

I would have loved to know the story behind this great hideaway spot.

Did I mention the atmosphere was kinda jungly?

Here's our leader for the next 3 days, Judy Seaborn of Botanical Interests seed company.

The Denver organizers raffled off lots of fabulous prizes from Fling Sponsors. I initially won a Cobra Head weeder and cultivator, my fourth. Yes I'd won this fabulous tool at three other events. A gardener really only needs one (I'd gifted on my other two) so I sweet talked Denise of A Growing Obsession into trading with me, she'd won a Tula hat. This one, which I was trying to model with a sly look, knowing I'd gotten a sweet deal. I LOVE THIS HAT! Thanks Cobra Head, Tula, and Denise (and additional thanks to Denise for taking, and sending me this photo).

There was just enough time to wander around outside a bit before we piled back on the bus and returned to the hotel. I guess I've never really seen a full grown baptisia, I had no idea they got so large.

And this! This large shrub is definitely in the pea family but I have no idea what it is.

One of my most vivid memories of this Fling is of the dramatic clouds. Denver definitely does sky drama. There were all sorts of interesting fluffy clouds, thunder clouds, lighting (thankfully we avoided a Fling downpour) and even a double rainbow one night.

Weather Diary, June 23: Hi 71, Low 55/ Precip 0

All material © 2009-2019 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

27 comments:

  1. That's a great tool but you can only use one at a time. I think the hat was a perfect trade. Is the Thursday night group as big as the rest of the time?

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    1. There are inevitably a couple people who aren't able to make it to the opening night, but with those few exceptions the group is usually full size.

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  2. That was a great way to kick off the Fling! I'd enjoy any event in a giant greenhouse. It's funny that the Cobra Head weeders are so drawn to you.

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    1. Seriously they are! But it's a pretty great tool.

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  3. Nice hat!

    Wonderful idea, that place . Neighborhood food with neighborhood involvement. The jungle-y look is an added bonus.

    If you manage to wear out those three Cobra Heads, you are welcome to mine. They are angled for right-handed people and don't work for lefties. Mine has sat in a drawer since arrival.

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    1. Oh man! That sucks. See how we right handed people have no idea of the injustices you lefties have to suffer?

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  4. That hat looks good on you, and Denise made a good trade too if she didn't already have one of those excellent CobraHeads.

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    1. I hope she finds as many uses for hers as I have for mine.

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  5. That mobile sleeping pod is super fun! Imagine a sleepover in the back yard with a few of them scattered around.

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    1. I doubt they'd keep out the mosquitoes though.

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  6. It was a great venue to begin our fling! I would love one of these in my hood : ) You look good in your hat!

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  7. The hat looks great on you and was a great trade. I now have two Cobraheads, a little one and a big one, and still haven't figured out how to use them, plus I'm afraid of how sharp they are. I know, maybe I'm a little dense (or just old and set in my ways). I think I might just tack them up on the side of my house in their "J" shape and make them a letter in some garden saying.

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    1. I'm happy to provide a little Cobrahead tutoring if you like ;)

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  8. Now I have to look up what a Cobrahead weeder is :-).

    Great hat!!!!

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    1. Wow, you've been missing out! Maybe engineer a trade with Hoov who can't use hers...

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  9. Sweet hat, Loree - you definitely scored there!
    Lovely Baptisias can grow annually into small shrubs. I have a couple of old ones that I couldn't put my arms around and are up to my eyeballs. Amazing plants!

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    1. All I know about Baptisia are seeing them as small one gallon's at the nurseries...

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  10. It was a great kick-off event. Glad you were able to swap, and that you were both happy about your new acquisitions.

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  11. The opening night of Fling is always so special. I have enjoyed all of them. Part of it is just the anticipation,

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    1. So true. After months of waiting the event is officially underway...

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  12. You look great in your new hat. Looks like a great start to the Fling. The large shrub in the second to last photo is probably a caragana. Brought to the prairies via Siberia. It is very hardy, pretty but seeds everywhere and is highly invasive where I live. Best to pass on this.

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    1. Ah, the "the Siberian peashrub" what a great common name! I think you're right.

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  13. Looks like such a good time. I always think about going to a Fling, but have never actually gotten to one. Thanks for sharing your experiences.

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    1. It's too bad you didn't take advantage of the proximity and attend Austin. Next year is in Madison...you should go sometime!

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  14. As soon as you tried the hat on I knew you had to have it. I think I was checking out the mushrooms when my hat win was announced. Loved that venue!

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