Are you looking to grow a few herbs to amp up your kitchen (or cocktail!) skills, do you want to be the neighborhood harvest, or maybe somewhere in between? There is a lot to consider when starting a garden: from sunlight to weather and frost protection, to soil, and much more.
Garden growing success takes some planning and la ittle know-how. If this is your first time, start small! A few containers or a small raised bed would be perfect for some flowers, fruits, veggies, and herbs to give you a taste of success and experience for next year!
Now – let’s get into it.
1. What do you want to grow?
Think about what you want to grow BEFORE you shop. Just a few herbs? Flowers for a pop of color? A full garden harvest? Or somewhere in between?
2. Let’s talk about SUNLIGHT.
All plants need sunlight, some more than others, if you are unsure about your plant selection – talk to your garden-center’s employees. East, South, and West facing locations are best for most plants and vegetables, while North-facing locations typically do better for shade-loving gardens.
3. Soil Who? Dirt What?
The quickest way to avoid dealing with Colorado’s challenging soil is to grow in containers or raised beds. Regardless of where you decide to plant, keep in mind, all plants need soil that encourages roots development and moisture drainage.
If you’re planting in containers, make sure there is a drainage hole! Cover the hole with a new coffee filter, fill with bagged soil, and plant.
4. What to Plant and When
The timing of planting can get tricky, between hot summer days, hail storms, and frosty mornings – there is a LOT to navigate. If you wanted to get an early start (planting around April 15th – May 15th), start with “Cool Weather” plants.
Cool Weather Plants – April 15th – May 15th
Flower Suggestions:
- Pansies
- Snapdragons
Herb Suggestions:
- Chives
- Parsley
- Cilantro
Fruit and Veggie Suggestions:
- Beets
- Cabbage (Bug alert! Plant away from your other plants)
- Cauliflower (Bug alert! Plant away from your other plants)
- Lettuce
- Spinach
- Kale
- Broccoli (Bug alert! Plant away from your other plants)
- Brussel Sprouts
- Carrots
- Onions
- Potatoes
- Radishes
Reminder to cover newbie plants on nights reaching temps below 45 degrees!
Your “Warm Weather” plants can be started after the ~Final Frost~. There is no exact date to predict when the final frost will occur, but typically it’s between May 15th and June 15th. You can buy your warm-weather plants sooner and keep them indoors, but if you’re waiting – we’d recommend waiting to purchase them as well.
Warm Weather Plants – May 15th – June 15th
Flower Suggestions:
- Geraniums
- Petunias
Herb Suggestions:
- Basil
- Rosemary
Fruit and Veggie Suggestions:
- Beans
- Corn
- Cucumbers
- Eggplant
- Melons
- Peppers
- Squash
- Tomatoes
5. Planting, Caring, and Keeping
It may seem trivial, but read your seed packet carefully! They’ll have important information on your planting window, planting depth, watering and harvesting needs.
When direct seeding:
- DON’T plant the entire packet at once. Stagger seeding throughout the growing season so you’ll be harvesting all season long versus at one-time.
- Store extra seeds in a dry, cool, location (Not your hot garage!!)
Pro Tip! You can plant cool-season crops for a second time in mid-to-late summer to extend your gardening and harvesting fun!
We hope these tips have been helpful! Connect with us on social media and lettuce (ha ha) know how your garden is coming along this season!
