{"id":290,"date":"2026-06-03T16:26:38","date_gmt":"2026-06-03T22:26:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/?post_type=garden-cpt&#038;p=290"},"modified":"2026-09-01T10:36:04","modified_gmt":"2026-09-01T16:36:04","slug":"littleton-pea-patch-demonstration-garden","status":"publish","type":"garden-cpt","link":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/garden\/arapahoe-gardens\/littleton-pea-patch-demonstration-garden\/","title":{"rendered":"Littleton Pea Patch Demonstration Garden"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-2098a6fa wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Garden information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">The&nbsp;Littleton Pea Patch&nbsp;has been a beloved corner of the City of Littleton\u2019s community garden for more than 40 years. We are a plot tended by trained volunteers in the&nbsp;Arapahoe County Master Gardener&nbsp;program, science-backed gardeners who love getting their hands in the soil and sharing what they know.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Since 2011, our plot has had a single mission: grow the best possible food and donate it freely to local food banks. Along the way, we have built lasting friendships with our fellow Pea Patch gardeners and with the community we serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What we grow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Everything in the Pea Patch is organically grown because we believe good food should be safe for everyone who eats it. Our volunteers plant and tend a wide variety of vegetables and herbs throughout the season, harvesting regularly to keep produce as fresh as possible for donation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list has-base-font-size\">\n<li>Kale and Swiss chard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tomatoes and peppers<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cucumbers, zucchini and summer squash<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carrots and other root vegetables<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rhubarb<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fresh herbs including basil, tarragon and dill<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Who we feed<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-medium-font-size wp-block-paragraph\">Every pound we grow goes directly to food banks serving families across our community. Since 2011, we have donated over&nbsp;<strong>25,000 pounds of fresh, organic produce<\/strong>, food that might otherwise be hard to access for neighbors facing food insecurity. We partner with local food banks who distribute produce quickly, ensuring it arrives fresh and nutritious. Our volunteers make regular deliveries throughout the growing season each summer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Our food bank partners<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Parish Pantry at St. Mary\u2019s Catholic Church<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A long-standing partner in our mission to combat food insecurity, Parish Pantry in Littleton, staffed entirely by volunteers, opens its doors every Monday to provide a steady supply of groceries for neighbors right here in our community.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Life Center Littleton<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Based on South Datura Street in Littleton, the Life Center is a full community resource center serving neighbors facing hardship. Their food bank provides emergency support for individuals and families in short-term need, as well as long-term assistance for seniors, people with disabilities and those managing chronic illness \u2013 all in a warm, welcoming environment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Backpack Society<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Backpack Society exists for one reason: to make sure no child in our community goes hungry over weekends and school breaks. This 100% volunteer-run nonprofit partners with more than 70 schools across the Littleton, Douglas County and Englewood school districts. During the school year, they help send kids home on Fridays with a bag of six meals and snacks so they can come back to school on Monday ready to learn.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-541e4766 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"488\" height=\"640\" data-id=\"298\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-7.jpg\" alt=\"An orange-and-white cat lies on the ground next to a person\u2019s shoes, rubbing its head against the foot.\" class=\"wp-image-298\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-7.jpg 488w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-7.jpg?resize=229,300 229w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 488px) 100vw, 488px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"480\" height=\"640\" data-id=\"299\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-6.jpg\" alt=\"Close-up of a yellow grasshopper resting on a bright pink flower in a garden.\" class=\"wp-image-299\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-6.jpg 480w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-6.jpg?resize=225,300 225w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 480px) 100vw, 480px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"522\" data-id=\"295\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-4.jpg\" alt=\"A garden bed filled with green plants and yellow flowers, with a sign that reads \u201cThis garden is maintained by Colorado Master Gardener Volunteers.\u201d\" class=\"wp-image-295\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-4.jpg 640w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-4.jpg?resize=300,245 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-4.jpg?resize=600,489 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"487\" height=\"640\" data-id=\"297\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-2.jpg\" alt=\"Several volunteers work in raised garden beds planting seedlings, with irrigation lines, trees, and a blue sky in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-297\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-2.jpg 487w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-2.jpg?resize=228,300 228w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-id=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-5.jpg\" alt=\"A group of youth and adults work together building and planting raised garden beds, with tools and materials spread around the area.\" class=\"wp-image-300\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-5.jpg 640w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-5.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-5.jpg?resize=600,450 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"640\" height=\"480\" data-id=\"296\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-3.jpg\" alt=\"A group of youth stand together in raised garden beds, each holding a plant or tool in an outdoor garden area.\" class=\"wp-image-296\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-3.jpg 640w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-3.jpg?resize=300,225 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/06\/pea-patch-3.jpg?resize=600,450 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-separator alignfull has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-brush-stroke\" style=\"height:40px\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-33811678 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\">Pea Patch Dispatch<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"468\" height=\"270\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Metallic-Sweat-Bee.jpg?w=468\" alt=\"Close-up of an iridescent green sweat bee with a striped abdomen foraging in the center of a bright yellow flower, surrounded by pollen-covered stamens.\" class=\"wp-image-8289\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5445671428033017;object-fit:cover;width:430px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Metallic-Sweat-Bee.jpg 468w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Metallic-Sweat-Bee.jpg?resize=300,173 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 468px) 100vw, 468px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Pollinators<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A great time was had at the recent pollinator talk. If you missed it, this <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/3speY4csJSk\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">webinar<\/a> with Lisa Mason, Arapahoe County\u2019s Horticulture Agent, is another option. The <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/offering\/native-bee-watch-community-science-program\/\">Native Bee Watch website<\/a> is a terrific resource for those wanting to learn more about Colorado\u2019s native bees.&nbsp; Inspired to create your own pollinator habitat? This <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/topic-areas\/insects\/creating-pollinator-habitat-5-616\/\">Fact Sheet<\/a> has what you need to get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-white-color has-accent-5-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-1 wp-block-paragraph\">Our gardening community has donated about 715 lbs of fresh veggies to our food bank partners.<br><br>Donation pick ups on Tuesdays and Thursdays by 10:00 AM and Sundays by 1:00 PM.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"586\" height=\"481\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Veggie-Basket.png?w=586\" alt=\"Vegetable basket graphic.\" class=\"wp-image-8288\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5445671428033017;object-fit:contain;width:430px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Veggie-Basket.png 586w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Veggie-Basket.png?resize=300,246 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 586px) 100vw, 586px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How Do I Know If My [Insert Veggie Here] Is Ready to Pick?<strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We get lots of questions about how to know when&nbsp; vegetables are ready to be picked. Rightfully so, even some Master Gardeners aren\u2019t sure about the prime time to pick some of the veggies in our garden. We\u2019ve put together tips on a few of the most common vegetables we\u2019re asked about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Hot and sweet peppers<\/strong> are mature when they reach average size and color. Many varieties will turn from dark green to red, orange, yellow or purple provided you give them enough time to ripen on the plant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tomatoes<\/strong> are ripe when they have grown to full size and the right color for the variety you\u2019re growing. A big, red heirloom tomato is going to take longer to ripen than a small golden pear-shaped tomato.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Onions<\/strong> are harvested in late September to early October before a hard freeze. The leaves should turn yellowish brown and start to fall over before you lift (don\u2019t pull) them out of the ground.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Winter squash and pumpkin<\/strong> are ripe when their skins appears dull and waxy and the rind can\u2019t be easily scratched with a fingernail. Harvest the fruits <em>after a light frost<\/em> by cutting&nbsp; the stem with a knife leaving at least a 1\u201d stem to protect from decay during storage.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-black-color has-accent-4-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-2 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Looking for the best (and safest) ways to preserve your garden goodies? <a href=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/search\/?q=Home+canning&amp;order=DESC&amp;orderBy=relevance&amp;perPage=12&amp;currentPage=1&amp;sites=1&amp;postType=resource-cpt&amp;tax%5Bglobal-category_tax%5D=food-preservation\">Extension<\/a> has science-based information including instructions for canning at high altitude. Yes, it\u2019s different.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9b47041c wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"653\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Light-Hoop-Tunnel.jpg\" alt=\"A low hoop tunnel covered in sheer white fabric over a garden bed, decorated with strings of colorful LED lights glowing from within, set outdoors near mulch and a low wall.\" class=\"wp-image-8287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Light-Hoop-Tunnel.jpg 653w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Light-Hoop-Tunnel.jpg?resize=300,276 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Light-Hoop-Tunnel.jpg?resize=600,551 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 653px) 100vw, 653px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"643\" height=\"474\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Floating-Row-Cover.jpg\" alt=\"A row cover made of white spun fabric draped over a garden bed with a grassy field and people visible in the background.\" class=\"wp-image-8286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Floating-Row-Cover.jpg 643w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Floating-Row-Cover.jpg?resize=300,221 300w, https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/49\/2026\/09\/Floating-Row-Cover.jpg?resize=600,442 600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 643px) 100vw, 643px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:40px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Extending the Garden Season<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The average first frost is the beginning of October which means Jack Frost will soon be nipping at our tomatoes. With a few simple strategies though, you can extend the gardening season well into fall.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One simple way is to grow hardy vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and Swiss chard that can withstand chilly nights and often taste better after a light frost. A thick layer of mulch around root crops like carrots, beets, and parsnips can keep soil temperatures stable, allowing you to harvest well after the first freeze.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An easy way to protect less hardy crops is to use row covers or frost cloths, whichtrap heat and protect tender plants from light frost while still allowing air, water, and sunlight through. For extra insulation, a hoop or low tunnel is great while a cold frame is hard to beat. Don\u2019t forget to provide ventilation on warm sunny days so your plants don\u2019t overheat. For more information on extending the season see this <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/AA59YDW5YDs?si=Ez0K02iEsiuHNFWg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video<\/a> from the Larimer County Master Gardeners. For DIYers, this <a href=\"https:\/\/youtu.be\/Zq66WPuVh8U?si=1j2lk-HceOMrvwfa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">video<\/a> explains how to build cold frames and low tunnels.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Littleton Pea Patch has been a community garden for more than 40 years.  It is located just east of downtown Littleton between the Rose Memorial Garden and Colorado Center for the Blind.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":292,"parent":346,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"county_tax":[70],"garden-type_tax":[490],"class_list":["post-290","garden-cpt","type-garden-cpt","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"pp_statuses_selecting_workflow":false,"pp_workflow_action":"current","pp_status_selection":"publish","pp_force_visibility":null,"pp_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_force_visibility":null,"pp_inherited_subpost_visibility":null,"pp_post_mime_type":"","acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/garden-cpt\/290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/garden-cpt"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/garden-cpt"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/9"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/garden-cpt\/290\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8293,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/garden-cpt\/290\/revisions\/8293"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/garden-cpt\/346"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"county_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/county_tax?post=290"},{"taxonomy":"garden-type_tax","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/extension.colostate.edu\/arapahoe\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/garden-type_tax?post=290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}