Cultivating Community
Growing food at 10,000 feet isn’t easy—but you don’t have to do it alone. C4 is proud to provide Lake County gardeners with the resources and support to grow food, build skills, and strengthen our community.
Weekly Farm Markets
Starting June 5th
Thursdays, 4pm - 7pm
Self-Serve, Fridays 9am-5pm
Summer Gardening Workshop Series
Build Your Own Backyard Garden with a Free Raised Bed!
In partnership with Colorado State University Extension, C4 is excited to offer a limited number of free raised bed gardening kits to eligible Lake County residents.
What’s included? Each kit includes raised bed construction materials and soil to help you get growing—no experience needed!
The goal? To make backyard gardening easier, more accessible, and more affordable for our community.
Who’s eligible? Lake County residents whose income falls under the Area Median Income (AMI ) are invited to apply.
How do I apply? You can apply between May 1st—May 31st:
In person at the C4 office (130 W 5th Street, Room 121)
At the CSU Extension Office (CMC Campus, New Discovery Room 125)
Or get your garden growing & apply online today!
Community Soil Bank
C4 offers compost, top soil, and raised bed mix at pay-what-you can prices.
BYOB—bring your own bucket—and stop by Cloud City Farm (440 McWethy).
Other Recommended High-Altitude Gardening Resources
Garden Planning Tools
Seeds
Lake County Public Library Seed Bank
Lake County Conservation District
Colorado Seed Companies
Raised Beds
Fabric pots: smartpots.com; geopot.com; aurorainnovations.com
Also consider asking at distilleries for used barrels/totes
Wood: best to use untreated lumber
Redwood & cedar are naturally rot resistant, but most expensive
Ace Hardware, Leadville: Limited stock, but can order
Alpine Lumber, Buena Vista/Summit: Lots of options; delivers
Fabric & Plastic Coverings
Recommend fabric 1 oz and up. 1 oz and less can be left on during the day. Higher than 1 oz may be too much shading for some plants
Greenhouse specific plastic or UV protected plastic is best to use
Ace Hardware/ local garden stores may have smaller sections
Larger seed companies and greenhouse supplies online stores
C4 may have used fabric and plastic when available.
Soil & Compost
Neil’s Lunceford (Silverthorne)
Elements Compost (Salida)
ACA Products- topsoil (Buena Vista)
Summit County Landfill
Garden Stores & Businesses
Ace Hardware and Big R
Merrifield’s Garden Hut, Buena Vista
Mountain Grown Gardens, Alma, CO
Hydroshack, Frisco
Alpine Earth Gardens, Silverthorne
Neil’s Lunceford, Silverthorne
