The mission of GivenTrees originates from the belief that everyone should have the right to clean, safe nutritious food; not only to consume it, but to know how to produce it for them selves.  We’re the only species who’ve forgotten to teach their young how to find food.  

The goal of GivenTrees is to grow beyond organic into permaculture and sustainability; thus the ‘grown with conscience’ trade mark.  Large corporations are jumping on the “organic” band wagon, I just wish they were doing so out consciousness instead of consumerism.  While there are many growers who do grow mindfully of consumer and earth the vast majority do not.  “Organics’ is a billion dollar industry, not easily understood by the consumers, nor necessarily based on the good of the whole. 

The staggering percentage of food consumers versus food producers is a stark reality.   Making the home vegetable garden a more common place, as well supporting the community garden efforts, puts self reliance and sustainability back into our lives and the community’s as well. 

I’m thinkin’ that’s a good thing!

Vegetable Garden Classes Starting Soon!

I delight in sharing our high altitude vegetable gardening experiences with you in hopes of motivating and encouraging people to learn how to grow their own food.

From soils and seeds to plate to freezer, enjoy the freshest possible taste of organic produce right in your own backyard or patio!

Materials used in class meet National Organic Program Standards. These are the standards used when authorizing the USDA “Organic” labeling system.

Photo by Blessed Images, Stephanie McGrath

Garden Consults

• Are you new to this area? New to growing in higher altitudes?
• Stuck on the how to do something with your yard or garden?
• Have you inherited a garden but don’t know what to do with it or what’s in it?
• Want to do a little independent research prior to hiring a contractor? Let my personalized consults assist in your decision making process before spending the big bucks with a contractor.

Moms and Tots Gardening Classes

I’m so excited to work with this group this year. Being with little ones in the garden is real treat for me. Kids just seem to have that creative wonderment about all things in nature and what a great place for kids to be; in a garden!

This will be a weekday class, timed and scheduled by the Moms that want to participate.

Most, if not all these classes will be held at our Kittredge Community Garden. We may occasionally tour another neighborhood garden, but all classes are well with walking distance from the Kittredge Park. Should there be inclement weather we can use the Kittredge Community Building, and not have to cancel class! For more details see Families in the Garden page.

Coming Soon…

“Grown with Conscience” Heirloom Perennials, Vegetable Seedlings and Own-Root Rose Shrubs! Hopefully this “For Sale” page will be up and ready in May.

I am currently taking orders for organic vegetable starts. If you are interested, and want more than a few plants, it’s best to contact me NOW, and custom order your organic veggie garden. I cannot guarantee inventory by May 31st planting time.

I’ll be selling the things I love to grow, and coincidently do quite well in higher altitudes. I do carry a Colorado Nursery License, while I’m not open ‘to the public’, I do hope to offer a few of my favorite plants to a few of my favorite customers ON LINE…so do check back in soon for these limited, select plants! Also, photos of the gardens are available, if you’d like a higher quality image than what appears on the site. Please contact me with any plant, gardening material or tool request you may have. If I can’t get it for you, I’ll know who can!

The Gardens

If it’s pictures you like, go to the ‘Gardens’ button for pictures of our veggie and flower gardens. Click on a thumbnail size to view a larger version. To speed up the download, these photos have been reduced in pixel size and don’t make for a very fine ‘copy’. Contact me, if you’d like to purchase a higher quality image. I’ll be happy to oblige. Soon, we hope to add some slide show options along with power point presentation on ‘how to’.

The Blog

Still reminds me of the 50’s movie “The Blob!” Yet it seems like every one’s got one. I’m starting to learn why! Here’s where you’ll find numerous links to other sites, and gardening information. Want to learn about organic and sustainable practices from those who do? Got a beef about getting certified for organic growing; or just a beef about organics in general? Here’s the chance to add your two cents in on the discussions. Contributions and regular contributors are welcome here. Please contact me if you’re interested in writing or ranting about your gardens!

Maybe, just maybe you’ve heard about Mrs. McGillicuty years ago and would like to catch up with what’s going on in her ‘back yard’. This is my interpretation of what Mother Nature (aka the Goddess) is trying to teach us through gardening and the appreciation of nature. This category is spiritual in and of its nature; as for me thats my personal experience with gardening it’s all about the connection we make with the plant kingdom and being one with the earth. Here I will chat about the garden faeries, divas, and all those little unseen agents working for, or sometimes against you in nature. This category is not for the faint of heart, nor the ‘non-believers’!

This blog may be a little disorderly at first, Hey, I’m a gardener, not a web site guru! There are a few things on there right now, but soon, very soon this will become THE high altitude blog to check out! Look for more additions during the “off season” September through March.

About

Just in case you haven’t had enough or want to know more about Tina, Given Trees, how it got started, who I am, or who “we” are, check out the ‘About’ button and choose the drop down you’re interested in.

Thanks for visiting, please come again soon!