The River City Harvest Greenhouse is located in the Cascade County Disaster and Emergency Services building on 1st Ave SW and 5th Street NW. Managed by Master Gardeners from the 2010 and 2011 classes, it is used for continued education, and produces fresh vegetables and herbs year round for local senior centers and Meals on Wheels.
In 2010 the space was offered by Vince Kohler of DES to the MSU Master Gardener program. Headed up by the Master Gardener maintenance team, volunteers cleaned, fixed, and painted the greenhouse. Soil, compost, rock, landscape fabric, barrels, pots, seeds, plants, hose, sprayer, ladder, shovels, and many other items were donated to start up the project. Planting began in June 2010 and volunteers quickly discovered that greenhouse growing was different! Dealing with temperatures up to 110 degrees from July to September was not ideal for greens. It was however wonderful for tomatoes and basil! Several MGs decided to continue with the project through the winter months and enjoyed 70-80 degree temps indoors and growing Swiss chard, spinach, lettuce, and pea pods!
For the 2011 season two raised beds were completed. They are 4X8 feet each and located in the center of the greenhouse. Food grade plastic barrels were used to fill the rest of the available table space. With more knowledge and a great group of 2011 MG volunteers, 3 varieties of tomatoes, eggplant, Swiss chard, lettuce, spinach, peapods, chives, thyme, sage, marjoram, parsley, cilantro, and mint were harvested and donated to Meals on Wheels. All of this was accomplish in spite of the huge infestation of aphids that kept us company for the whole season! In the fall the decision was made to remove all plant material for a resting period. We did not want to encourage the same pests for 2012.
The 2012 season started the second week in February. Volunteers helped complete and fill the third and final raised bed. Of the 384 sq ft. table space approximately all but 32sq ft will be used for growing! All of the planting space was seeded shortly thereafter. Snow peas, green beans, spinach, lettuce, swiss chard, carrots, radish, and a large assortment of herbs have emerged and are thriving in the cooler evening temperatures. With rebuilt swamp cooler filters and added fans we are hoping to level out temperature fluctuations and increase airflow for the summer season.
Special thanks to Vince Kohlar of DES, Wade Crouch of Cascade County Extension, Pro-Build, Contract Flooring, Coca-Cola Bottling Co., Wal-Mart, Tile Store, Montana Co-Op, Tilleras Nursery, Forde Nursery, Sterling Cattle Co. and many individuals who have contributed supplies and time to make this project a success.
In 2013 the Greenhouse, under the sharp eye of Erin Doyon, installed a hydroponic system. They had mixed success their first year, now that the learning curve is over bigger and better things are going to happen! Currently, Lisa Halcro is the master gardener overseeing the operation of the greenhouse.
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