Elkstone High-Altitude Permaculture Garden
Steamboat Springs, CO
50+ Acres
This demonstration garden, located 6,732 feet above sea level, was a way for the client to connect and give back to the surrounding agricultural community of Steamboat Springs. The challenge was to design a high-altitude food garden in a harsh climate. In collaboration with Evo Catalyst, architect Michael Thompson, and permaculture guru Jerome Osentowski, a working farm was created, cultivating heirloom apple and pear trees as well as climate-adapted berries, bush cherries, ground cherries, raspberries and blueberries. An innovative passive solar, climate battery greenhouse houses 20 varieties of lemons and limes. A cottage industry is run from the ranch house, producing preserves, flower essences and creating employment opportunities in this remote community. The permaculture approach to this project dictated that design decisions be made to serve both human desires and the needs of non-human organisms and soils on the site.
The latest addition to this project was the design of raised and in-ground beds made of local Colorado sandstone. Beds abound with flowers, vegetables and fruits. They have paths between them and places for people to gather and sit. We had the opportunity to work with the exquisitely skilled stone masons of Rising Star to create lasting garden infrastructure that served both human and plant needs, providing a clear entry experience for visitors and making the garden easier to maintain.
