Vida’s Garden

I have been an organic gardener for over 35 years now and to say that gardening is my passion is an understatement.  I love the smell and the feel of dirt, the early daffodils blooming and the first tomatoes every season.  These are life’s simple pleasures, God’s gifts to us all, that I want to share.  Gardening can be so much more than the mechanics of it and my philosophy is to teach the love of gardening and of getting close to this beautiful earth that God has gifted to us all.

Organic gardening is a time honored tradition that existed before “organic” was a catch word or before pesticides or insecticides or even commercial farming ever existed.  Our ancestors knew that by living in harmony with nature, nature would provide.  The organic garden is an ecosystem in itself, from the toads living among the vegetables, eating a plethora of pests, the bats flying at night eating pesky mosquitoes, or a strategically placed tansy plant, a welcome home for lady bugs to lay their eggs, their larvae eating their way through thousands of aphids and devouring other small damaging insects in the garden.  

You can find us at the Denver Farmers Market where we have a variety of plants, vegetables, herbs and flowers, flower and herb seeds, and produce later in the season, all grown organically.  We specialize in growing heirloom varieties, “pass-along” plants from generations gone by.  These garden delights are heirlooms, plants that can be traced back 30, 40 even 100 years.  This insures they are not genetically altered and that they are open-pollinated.  These varieties have been grown and selected for their desirable traits for centuries.  They will stay true to their origin and have adapted naturally to their environment.  Overall, heirlooms have better flavor and are hardier, two characteristics not easily replicated by today’s genetic manipulation. 

For example, we have a marigold that produces the most magnificent red and orange blooms on deep green leaves that get up to two feet across, covered in blooms from spring until frost.  These marigolds are beneficial to the garden because their strong scent attracts insects and their roots put beneficial nematodes into the soil, which will help keep harmful pests away from your vegetables.  The seeds came from a friend whose grandmother grew them in the early 1900’s.  This is just an example of how nature can work in perfect harmony to protect and produce healthy, nutritious vegetables without the stain of pesticides, insecticides and the unknown harm of genetically altered plants.

Two of our most popular items are nature’s natural insect repellants, tansy and lemon balm.  These two plants work much like the more commonly know citronella plants on the market today, which are actually scented geraniums.  Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is a member of the mint family and has more of the compound that repels insects than citronella plants do.   It also has antihistamine properties and can be useful in alleviating the itch and pain associated with insect bites.  Used for centuries, this herb is oft thought of as one of the most beneficial on earth, due to the wide range of internal applications in addition to its external uses.  Tansy is also an effective pest repellent.  Used as a preventative, planted or hung in areas where flies may be a problem, the flies go elsewhere.  We hang it in the chicken house and grow it around the barn to deter flies.  A small amount of the fresh herb rubbed on the skin keeps pests away when outside.  A sprig in our granddaughter’s hair when fishing protects her tender skin from mosquito and deer fly attacks.  Tansy planted around the garden enhances the vigor of vegetables and are a natural home for ladybugs, one of our most beneficial garden insects.

Of course, before anyone embarks on the journey of using medicinal herbs they should do their own research.  Any information shared is to be considered anecdotal in nature and not as medical advice.  Always speak to your medical professional about the use of any alternative treatment and the potential effects for your specific need.  The earth is a treasure trove of natural medicines that have the potential to help us all.  We encourage everyone to learn more.

We would welcome you to stop by our booth at the Market and look forward to seeing everyone this season.  We are also available for consultations for anyone who would like to create their own little backyard ecosystem, providing information on topics from composting to creating a cottage garden.

Susan Townley