Starting in late July, both Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and Silver Key Senior Services pick up produce from the garden each week. On the designated day for each organization, gardeners place donated vegetables and herbs on a tarp spread out on the BCGA Plot right inside the Truck Gate. The produce must be freshly picked.

In addition, some gardeners take donations from their plots directly to their favorite charities, which include the Marion House Soup Kitchen, the Springs Rescue Mission and Care and Share Food Bank. Because BCGA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, gardeners may not sell their produce. Instead, all gardeners are encouraged to plant extra vegetables and herbs to donate and give away to friends.

TWO FOR THE ZOO

One full-sized plot is planted by garden volunteers to provide fresh organic produce for animals at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, and many gardeners plant extra rows of vegetables on their plots to donate regularly. The relationship between the garden and the Commissary at the Zoo goes back more than 20 years, and is managed by long-time gardener and Zoo Docent Kay Gray.

Kay posts a list of vegetables preferred by particular animals on the garden fence each year. The Commissary can accept the following vegetables:

• Artichokes
• Broccoli
• Beets
• Brussels Sprouts
• Carrots and carrot tops
• Cabbage
• Chard
• Collards
• Corn and fresh green corn stalks
• Eggplant
• Fennel - bulb and fronds
• Green Beans
• Herbs, including basil, cilantro, dill, mint, oregano and parsley in small amounts, used for nutritional enrichment
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Onions
• Parsnips
• Peas - edible podded snap and snow peas
• Peppers - sweet bell peppers and mild chile peppers
• Pumpkins
• Radishes
• Spinach
• Squash (summer and winter squash, all sizes)
• Tomatoes (small amounts)
• Turnips and Turnip Greens

On the Zoo and Silver Key pick up days, it is best to pick the produce early in the morning so that it is really fresh.