Auraria groundskeeper Janet Rodriguez is a one-woman campus beautification force.

Since arriving on campus from Elitch Gardens in 1997, Rodriguez has taken it upon herself to update Auraria’s gardens. Tackling old privet hedges and scraggly junipers, Rodriguez has replaced much of the campus’ lackluster landscaping of yore with colorful, low-water xeriscape beds.

“It’s made such a terrific addition to the campus,” observes Jim Kelley, director of Auraria Facilities Management. “We had a lot of ugly bushes and overgrown junipers. I’ve received so many comments from people about the flowers and ornamental grasses. It makes campus more like a park.”

Rodriguez estimates that there are now about 40 flower beds gracing campus—not including those on Ninth Street—filled with everything from Colorado’s state flower, the columbine, to grasses, roses and low-water flowering perennials. She says she’s planted flowers numbering in the thousands. “Flowers make people happy,” she explains. “I’ve had people say to me, ‘I’m so depressed and I walked over here (to a garden) and feel better.’”

In addition to removing thirsty pansies and other annuals, Rodriguez has also worked to make the gardens more organic and self-sustaining. She uses piles of mulch to hold back weeds and retain moisture and she swears by the miracles wrought by horse manure—two dump-truck loads a year provided by Kelley, who stables horses. She also uses an insecticide called Pyola, a plant derivative that doesn’t harm beneficial insects like bees and ladybugs.

To help with the maintenance of the Auraria gardens, Rodriguez relies on the grounds crew and sprinkler specialist as well as her Garden Club, comprised of Metro State earth science students and other campus personnel.

Of late, she’s been planting south of the library under a cottonwood tree, continuing the process of bringing beauty to Auraria’s grounds. “People really enjoy color,” Rodriguez says. “It brightens their day.”

To volunteer for Rodriguez’ Garden Club, contact her at 303-556-2221.

Take a garden tour of Rodriguez favorite gardens:

• The rose garden at Ninth Street and Colfax
• The beds located at the north and south end of the Central Classroom Building
• The ornamental grasses on the west side of the PE Building
• The columbine garden on the north side of the Library
  

Editor's Note:
Free Therapeutic Gardening Workshop
Monday, July 18, 10 a.m., Ninth Street Park

Therapeutic gardens, sometimes referred to as healing gardens or horticultural therapy, are special gardening facilities that help sick and handicapped people remain connected with nature and provide a wide range of physical rehabilitation benefits.

Learn how to make low-cost adaptive garden tools from common materials. Visit the healing garden on the Auraria Campus, get your free seeds, and start planting!

Guest Speakers: Joy Harrison, President, American Therapeutic Gardening Association and Erin
Pratte, Therapeutic Recreation Specialist and Metro State alumna

Refreshments will be served.
Sponsored by Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority

People do not have to sign up—they can just show up.

To view a larger image of these beautiful photos by Art Director Julie Strasheim simply click on the photo.