So you want to maintain a garden this summer. The good news: Growing your own food and flowers is one of the most rewarding summer activities you can do. The bad news: Thanks to Colorado’s short growing season and very desert climate (read: low humidity, intense sunlight, chaotic weather), it’s not exactly the easiest place to hone your green thumb. .

That’s why it’s so imperative to start with a good foundation for your garden – and no, we don’t. fair means healthy soil. Selecting the right seeds or seedlings (small plants that can be transplanted into your garden) is key to successful harvesting in the Centennial State. Follow our guide and you’ll be digging up sweet carrots, slicing juicy homemade tomatoes and cutting your own fresh flowers in no time.

To start

Evaluate your space: Choosing the right plant in the right place is the key to success. Consider the sun or shade levels of a planting location, as well as factors such as north versus south exposure. “Try to understand your own microclimate,” suggests Laura Parker, owner of High Desert Seed & Gardens in Montrose.

Prepare your floor: Why waste your money on top quality plants if you’re just going to plant them in the often poor, clayey soil of Colorado? Keri Chandelier, ssite manager at Plum Creek Garden Market‘s Littleton, emphasizes the importance of purchasing the right type of flooring for your project. Buy potting soil for containers and potting soil for ground planting, as they have been specially formulated to maintain the proper humidity levels for your plants. And always amend with plenty of compost.

have fun with it“Gardening is a large-scale experience. It’s important for people to understand that you can’t be perfect in gardening,” says Luster. Try to view disappointing yields or dead plants as learning opportunities for next year.

Fertilize: Yes, your plants also need food. Talk to your local gardening associate and they will recommend the best products for fertilizing ornamental flowers versus the products you intend to eat.

Time It Out: The common belief that Colorado’s outdoor planting season begins on Mother’s Day is a little out of step with current weather patterns. “Over the past 10 to 15 years, fall is later and spring is starting later,” says Luster. “Bad weather can really come in the second half of May.” To be on the safe side and prevent tender plants from freezing, it would be wise to wait to plant warm-weather-loving plants until late May.

When…

… start seeds indoors? Mid to end of March.

… sow directly (planting seeds in the garden) cold-tolerant plants like lettuce, leafy greens and cabbages (aka brassicas)? Half April.

… plant warm weather crops like tomatoes and peppers as a starter? End of May, when danger of frost has passed.

Seeds

Seed tips

Starting your garden from seed is by far the cheapest solution, and you’ll have access to a wider selection of unique heirloom varieties than would typically not be available at your average Home Depot. That said, there are a few things to consider:

• For warm climate plants like tomatoes, it’s ideal to start seeds indoors so they can get a head start on the short growing season outdoors. To start seeds indoors, you will need seed trays or containers, soil, water, and a strong light source, such as a south-facing window or a small grow light. To verify this detailed guide to start the seeds indoors.
• Don’t start your seeds too early. “One of the worst things people can do is start plants indoors too soon,” Parker says. Avoid root-stressed plants and start yours mid to late March.
• Most big-box seed companies source their supplies from overseas or other parts of the country, which means these seeds won’t necessarily thrive in Colorado. Look for seeds suppliers and varieties that have been selected for the unique arid, high-altitude conditions of the intermountain west.
• Celebrate biodiversity! Get out of your comfort zone and grow vegetables and flowers you’ve never tried before.

where to buy seeds online

High Desert Seed + Gardens

Founded by Parker in 2015, this high-altitude seed farm produces 90% of the seed it sells, ensuring the varieties available will thrive in Colorado’s climate. A partner of the Open Source Seed Initiative, Parker’s broader mission is to build a network of Colorado seed growers and ensure open access to seed for generations to come. Highlights of High Desert include Italian mountain basil, which can withstand cooler temperatures than other varieties, incredibly drought-tolerant Sonoran White Tepary Beans, and Collective Farm Woman Cantaloupe, a Ukrainian heirloom in early ripening.

High gardens
Located in the San Luis Valley, this supplier specializes in open pollinated and high hardened seeds grown for high altitudes and harsh growing conditions. Find incredibly unique plants such as Painted Mountain Corn, Yugoslavian Red Head Lettuce, and Sunspot Sunflowers.

Seed Trust
In addition to selling seeds suitable for high altitudes, this Denver-based outfit includes educational materials on how to save your own seeds. The Seed Buckets are great value for money and include just about every type of seed you would need for your garden in one convenient package.

Sandia Seed Company
Chile lovers, look no further. This Utah-based company has just about every type of pepper seed you could want, including varying heat levels of hatching and Pueblo peppers, as well as Carolina hot reapers and rare heirloom varieties. .

Sowing

Sowing tips

• Don’t waste your money on carrot, radish or cilantro seedlings. These types of plants are all best planted directly from seed. Melons and pumpkins don’t like to be transplanted either.
• Many garden centers sell starters in different pot sizes. Larger plants will grow faster than smaller ones, but make sure you have enough space for them.
• Since pepper plants grow so slowly, Luster recommends buying the largest pepper plants you can find to speed up the process.
• Harden off your starter plants. The seedlings have been accustomed to the heat of a greenhouse, so it is important to acclimatize them slowly to outside temperatures. Bring them in and take them out to feel a little cold before you plant them.

Where to buy seedlings

Of course, you can buy your starter plants at virtually any supermarket or hardware store. But you’ll find a better selection and healthier plants if you shop at a dedicated nursery instead. “Corporate entities prioritize price over quality,” says Luster. “Your local garden centers are specialists – they know what will go well, when to have it and when to plant it.” You may be paying a little more, but you’re buying expertise and quality, which usually results in much better results.

Here are some of our favorite garden centers in the Denver area:

Plum Creek Garden Market
With five locations across the Front Range, these seasonal pop-up markets are a reliable source of vegetables (over 40 varieties of tomatoes and peppers!), perennials and annuals. Knowledgeable staff will be happy to get to the heart of your garden’s situation to help you succeed. Locations in Denver, Erie, Golden, Castle Rock and Littleton

Echter nursery and garden center
Family-owned since 1959, Echter’s is a massive retail plant and nursery center in Arvada, with 80% locally grown annuals and a huge selection of flowers. 5150 Garrison St., Arvada

Harlequin Gardens
It’s worth driving north from Boulder to shop at this sustainable nursery and garden center, specializing in Colorado-friendly plants (peruse the demonstration gardens, where owners Mikl Brawner and Eve Reshetnik Brawner have been testing unique plants since 1985). This is the place to buy 100% organic and heirloom vegetable entrees. 4795 N. 26th St., Boulder

City Floral Garden Center
This spacious Montclair nursery offers a wide selection of vegetables grown in its own Golden greenhouse. If you’re looking for herbs for your garden, City Floral’s selection is unmatched, with many unique, drought-tolerant varieties. 1440 Kearney Street

Learn more about gardening in Colorado

Colorado Farmers Answer 6 Common Gardening Questions
Everything You Need to Know About Houseplant Preservation in Colorado