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- Castle Rock Crew #019
Castle Rock Crew #019
Planting season is upon us!
I hope all you moms out there felt celebrated…I ended up putting mine to work and had her put the piece below together, since I know literally nothing about gardening…other than how to shovel dirt, lots of dirt…thanks, Momma!
Momma’s Garden: Dirt Therapy & Zucchini Confessions
It’s finally garden season—and despite my optimism each spring, I never quite feel ready. Castle Rock’s gardening zone has its quirks: unpredictable frost, clay-heavy soil, and wind that can knock a seedling into next week. Still, I love it. Growing up in Iowa, gardening fed a family of ten. Our soil was black and rich, the kind you could turn with your bare hands, and we planted as early as March. Moving here in 2016 reset everything I thought I knew; I had to learn patience, soil-amending… and accept that hail doesn’t care about my tomato dreams.
But there’s something special about getting your hands in the dirt. I love those quiet mornings in the garden when the birds are chirping and the world hasn’t quite woken up. It’s therapy—planting seeds, pulling weeds, checking to see what’s taken root. And I love sharing that with my grandkids. They help me plant, of course, but it’s the little things: the shrieks of laughter when they pull up a lopsided carrot, or the pure joy of sneaking a strawberry straight from the patch. It’s garden joy in miniature, and it’s part of why I keep at it every year.
Most years I plant the basics—beans, carrots, peas, onions, tomatoes, peppers, potatoes, and yes, zucchini. Last year? ONLY one zucchini. A friend once joked, “If you don’t get a zucchini handed to you, you must not have any friends!” Oh well—it was just a bad year for me with way too many grasshoppers, topped off with grubs!
So I journal: what I plant, when, and what came up (or didn’t). I keep track of what I try to grow from seed, only to learn (again) that some things don’t have enough time to grow at this altitude unless you give them a head start; so then a note to switch to plants the next year. And each year, I try again. This spring I’m already ahead—lettuce and spinach are in early, and I’m amending my raised beds again with the Fox Farm Ocean Forest soil mix a local Master Gardener recommended. Maybe I’ll finally get that zucchini bounty.
If there’s one lesson I’ve truly taken to heart, it’s this: if it doesn’t grow this year, try again next year.
Master Gardener Corner with Vicki Faas
Do you have gardening questions? Check out the research-based information provided by the Colorado Master Gardeners here. You’ll find information about a myriad of topics including plants, xeriscape, trees, grass, watering, pests and much more!
When should I plant?
After the last spring frost—around May 15th in Castle Rock.How do I harden off transplants?
Start outdoors for one hour, then increase by 1–2 hours daily for a week before planting.Need a veggie-by-veggie guide?
See CSU’s comprehensive Colorado Vegetable Guide:Watering basics
Water at the root zone—drip lines or soaker hoses prevent disease spread. Test moisture with a finger or screwdriver.Soil prep for our clay ground
Blend a 2-inch layer of organic matter into the top 4–6 inches of soil for better texture and nutrients.See it in action
Visit the CSU demonstration gardens in Castle Rock for ideas that thrive in our altitude and water conditions.Follow us on Instagram
Recommended Recipe
One of my favorite things to make besides salsa and tomato sauce is the Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond’s Zucchini Cake. Here’s the link to the recipe—the usual adjustments for high altitude baking are helpful. I hope you enjoy it (and your zucchinis grow abundantly to give away)!
Are you gardening this year? |
If you are gardening, I’d love to know what you’re planting this year, any lessons learned, or favorite thing you’ve ever grown! Shoot me an email!
Sponsorship
Castle Rock Kitchen & Bath and Dahl Plumbing
Dahl is part of the Hajoca Corporation family of brands. Founded in 1858, Hajoca is one of the country’s largest privately-held wholesale distributors of plumbing supplies operating 450+ locally managed locations with 60+ regionally established trade names all committed to serving our customers with a best-in-class experience. Dahl’s devotion to Hajoca's proven business principals of "Service, Integrity, Reliability," and our passion for our industries' success, provide our customers and vendors a uniquely consistent, reliable, and professional partner, ensuring a mutually successful business relationship.
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Sponsorship
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Sports:
Broncos - looks like we’ll be facing the Chiefs at Arrowhead on Christmas Day - the full schedule will be released on May 14, but we do know we’ll have nine home games this year. We shall see if the rumored Jets game in London on October 12th gets confirmed!
Nuggets - well, we should just forget about Game 2, where we got walloped. Game 3 was an exciting overtime win after the game was neck and neck the entire time. Air Gordon hit a huge three in the final minute to tie it at 102 and send it to overtime. There was a very quick turnaround for Game 4 which was an afternoon game on Mother’s Day. The Nugs were down by double digits early in the 1st, but came back to lead by 8 early in the 4th—OKC stormed back to steal it in the end. This must be what it felt like for them in Game 1…The series is tied 2-2 with Game 5 in OKC tonight. Honestly, I think this series is even tighter than most people thought it would be, with both MVP candidates showing up.
Avalanche - the Stars lead the Jets 2-1 😭 .
Rockies - record is 7-34…I felt bad when I first saw this clip of Kyle Freeland getting emotional while asking fans to believe in them…but then I remembered he’s 0-5 on the year while having a five-year $64.5mm contract…Barstool Colorado had a response after the owners fired Bud Black and Mike Redmond this past week.
Rapids - the Rapids sit at 4-4-4 with 16 points after a 2-0 loss against San Jose. After a decent start, The Rapids continue to fall in the rankings. They’re currently in 9th—in a logjam with several other teams at 16 points. They’ll need to pick it up, now that nearly a third of the way through the season.
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Events:
Do not miss the Spring Kickoff Concert on Saturday - 5:00pm-10:00pm - deets
Need an excuse to practice your swing? Head out to the Rotary Club of Castle Pines’ Tee It Up Fore on May 18th! details
Scavenge the Rock - Learn about Castle Rock’s history by exploring Downtown with a scavenger hunt. Pick up clue sheets at the Museum. You have the whole month to complete the hunt. Completed sheets will get you a gift and entered into a drawing to win tickets to the Summer Concert Series, golf certificates and much more.
Keep your eye out for two new concepts coming to Ecclesia - BAGL and BMAN’S BBQ!
Tuesday, 5/13:
The Office Co. | Bar & Kitchen (everyday) - Happy Hour - 2:00pm-7:00pm
Courtyard Social (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 2:30pm-5:00pm
The Whiskey Lodge - 50 Cent Wings - 3:00pm-10:00pm
Bucketlist Tavern (every weekday) - Happy Hour - 3:00pm-6:00pm
I.C. Brewhouse - Trivia - 6:30pm
Wild Blue Yonder - JEOPARDY! Bar League Trivia - 7:00pm-9:00pm
Elizabeth Brews - Trivia - 7:00pm
Wednesday, 5/14:
Iron Mule - Music Bingo - 6:00pm-8:00pm
Hideaway Bar & Grill - DJ Trivia - 7:00pm-9:00pm
Thursday, 5/15:
RNK Running - CHOG - 6:00pm - deets
Crowfoot Valley Coffee - Trivia - 6:00pm
Bucket List Tavern - Cornhole - 6:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Country Dance Night w/ Dance Instructor - 6:00-7:30pm+
Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke with Big E Entertainment - 8:00pm-12:00am
Friday, 5/16:
Cherokee Ranch and Castle - Tequila Tasting - 6:00pm-9:15pm
Honnibrook - Live Music! Josh Blackburn - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Sinners & Saints - Live at the Altar: Wendy Woo - 8:00pm-10:00pm
Wide Open Saloon - Dueling Pianos - 7:00pm-10:30pm
Saturday, 5/17:
Outlets - Cars at The Rock Cruise In - 9:30am-12:30pm
Festival Park - Spring Kickoff Concert - 5:00pm-10:00pm - deets
Fairgrounds - Victoria’s Tea Fundraiser - 2:00pm-4:00pm - information
The Grange - Trash Bash - 9:00am-2:00pm - deets
105 West Brewing - Live Music! Kevin Austin Band - 6:30pm-9:30pm
Wide Open Saloon - Firing Line - 7:00pm-10:30pm
Hideaway Bar & Grill - Karaoke with Big E Entertainment - 8:00pm-12:00am
Sinners & Saints - Dance to the “Max” DJ Dance Party - 9:00pm
Sunday, 5/18:
Lost Coffee - Lost Runners Run Club - 8:00am
Top Golf - Tee it up fore Rotary of Castle Pines - 5:00pm-8:00pm - details
105 West - Live Music! Kenny Lee - 2:30pm-5:30pm
Monday, 5/19:
Gluttony and Graze and Arayes - Family Day where kids eat practically free - 11:00am-8:00pm
Bucket List Tavern - Kids eat free (w/ purchase) - open to close every Monday
Heads up on events that are further out:
Get your tix for the Summer Concert Series if you haven’t already.
Sinners & Saints - Teaching Tuesday w/ Hunter’s Hope - Crafting Soap & Bath Salts - May 20th - 6:30pm-8:30pm tix
Wild Blue Yonder - Pints & Paint - May 21st - 6:00pm-9:00pm
Cherokee Ranch and Castle - Sinatra Tribute Show LIVE! - May 23rd - 6:00pm-7:30pm
Outlets - Rock the Mountain - Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day - 3:00pm-6:00pm
Outlets - Memorial Day Weekend Sidewalk Sale - May 24th-26th - check sales here
Festival Park - Farmer’s Market - 9:00am-2:00pm - every Sunday May 25-Oct 12
Cherokee Ranch and Castle - Murder & Mystery - Till Death Do Us Part - May 30th - 6:00pm - tickets
Cherokee Ranch and Castle - Wine Tasting - June 6th - 6:30pm - tickets
Cherokee Ranch and Castle - Live Music! Lookin Back Band - June 7th - 6:30pm - tickets
Music in The Meadows - Live Music! Style - June 12th - 6:30pm-8:30pm
Car Show Weekend - June 13th & 14th - deets
Outlets - Summer Fest with live music and tons of activities and giveaways - June 21st - information
NextGen (young professionals) - Cornhole Tournament - May 30th - details
⚠️ Please verify event details and availability with the respective venues or organizers, as schedules may change.
Let us know of any events, locations, establishments, or businesses that you would like us to highlight in coming editions. [email protected]
Jobs:
Wide Awake Eatery - front of the house staff, daytime line cooks, and mixologist/bartender
I.C. Brewhouse - server, bartender, and cook positions
105 West - beertenders
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