This is where I am developing a catalyst business for a Community Investment Enterprise in Denver, Colorado. The Base Pair I am starting with is an organic kitchen garden based on no till, perennial plantings mixed with annuals, that is drip irrigated for low maintenance and water efficiency.
As a business offering a service, I can join the local trade exchange, the local Balle group, the sustainable business alliance and other community groups, as ways to seek out opportunities for sets of transactions that could be internalized in the CIE.
soil tests
Building Organic Matter in the Soil
The front range of Colorado is semi-arid with long periods of drought and extremely low humidity levels. Retaining water availability for plant roots is critical. Tilling the soil "burns" organic matter and should be kept to a minimum - deep mulches of green matter are highly recommended. Grass or Hay contains roughly the right balance of nitrogen and carbon to decompose without tying up the nitrogen needed for plant growth.
Traditional sheet mulching to start:
- - chop down existing growth
- - water thoroughly the night before assembly
- - organic fertilizer
- - 1/2 inch cardboard or newspaper
- - some more organic fertilizer
- - 12" of hay
- - cover with soil or compost for aesthetic purposes if desired
keep moist
- wait eight months before planting
Quick Method:
- - Chop down existing vegetation
- - water thoroughly the night before to loosen soil
- - organic fertilizer
- - plant perennials
- - cover the rest of the bed and up to stems of plants with 1/2 inch card board or newspaper
- - cover with organic mulch
- - at planting season for annuals cut through to soil
- - add newspaper to suppress weeds and mulch to build soil
Drip Irrigation
A source of free information:
Plant Selection
Perennial herbs
- - sage
- - oregano
- - chives
- - tarragon
- - fennel
- -
Perennial edible Flowers
- - day lily