Table 1: Elevation and average growing season for selected Colorado cities.
| Location | Elevation | Average Frost-Free Days |
| Alamosa | 7,536 | 95 |
| Aspen | 7,913 | 88 |
| Bailey | 7,733 | 82 |
What crops grow in Colorado in the fall?
As fall begins, Colorado farms continue to grow the following: Broccoli raab, September and October Celeriac/celery root, September, and October Chicories, September through November
Can you grow vegetables in Colorado in the winter?
Some Colorado farmers have heated greenhouses, also known as hothouses, to grow vegetables throughout the winter or extend the growing season of crops that don't typically grow in colder months. April typically kicks off the yearly harvest in Colorado.
When does the first fall frost occur in Colorado?
On average, your first fall frost occurs on September 29 (at COLORADO SPRINGS MUNI AP, CO climate station). Start Seeds Indoors by... Plant Seedlings Outdoors by...
How long does it take to grow tomatoes in Colorado?
Colorado on average has approximately 120 days between the last and first frost. Follow the planting schedules below for when to plant tomatoes, peppers and other vegetables.
How long is the growing season in Colorado?
157 daysWith the Colorado growing season averaging only 157 days, “when to plant” is a critical question. We suggest planting all of your cold season crops in April. Planting the first week of April is great, but cold crops can be planted anytime in April or even May.
How long is the growing season in Colorado Springs?
On average, your frost-free growing season starts May 4 and ends Oct 3, totalling 152 days. You will find both Spring and Fall planting guides on this page.
Can you grow anything in Colorado in the winter?
Know Your Cold-Weather Plants Root vegetables, shrubs, herbs, and even certain flowers do well in the cold when treated with care. Some desert plants such as agave, for example, do just as well in the bitter cold as they do in the blazing heat.
Does Colorado have a short growing season?
Farmers' Tips for Growing in Colorado's Zone 3 Due to its short growing season, consider starting seeds indoors before transplanting them outside after the last frost.
Do fruit trees grow in Colorado?
You can grow fruit in Colorado! There are many varieties of fruits that can be easily grown in Colorado. Tree fruits such as apples and plums are well known, but berries and bush fruits can be a prolific and sometimes easier choice as well.
What zone is Colorado for plants?
Colorado has 5 plant hardiness zones: 7, 6, 5, 4 and 3. If you're new to plant hardiness zones, they tell you whether your flower plants are likely to survive the coldest winter temperatures that are expected in your area and come back next year.
What grows at high-altitude?
Leafy greens and root vegetables — carrots, turnips, parsnips, radishes and beets — are the best choices for high-altitude, short-season gardens.
Can you grow crops in the Rocky Mountains?
You can direct-seed frost tolerant plants into the garden four weeks before the last frost date (kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, spinach, turnips, chard, mustard, beets, carrots, cabbage, endive, peas, and radish).
What grows well in the mountains?
Favorite Mountain Garden Crops Carrots, radishes, potatoes, beets, sweet corn, most squash varieties, peas, some varieties of tomatoes, kohlrabi, rutabaga, turnips, melons, many varieties of beans, pumpkins, and other favorites can be grown with great success in most high mountain valleys.
What is the state fruit of Colorado?
Colorado currently doesn't have a state fruit. Alamosa Republican state Senator Larry Crowder is trying to get the palisade peach and the Rocky Ford cantaloupe added to the roster.
When should I plant grass seed in Colorado?
Seed cool-season grasses (bluegrass, ryegrass, fescues) anytime from March through September. Along the Front Range and Western Slope the optimal time is mid-August to mid-September. Seed warm-season grasses (buffalograss, blue grama) April through July. Seeding after July is not recommended.
Is Colorado a good place to garden?
Colorado grows excellent flowers, vegetables and lawns. Gardeners who are patient, know how to select plants that will do well, and manipulate the soil and microclimate will be amply rewarded.
What are the planting zones in Colorado?
Colorado planting zones span 3a to 7a , and knowing this before choosing what plants and vegetables to put into a garden can help eliminate some of the stress and aggravation of a failed garden. Local nurseries are a great place to start, as they will likely only carry varieties that are viable in a specific area.
What is Colorado known for?
Colorado is known for its snowy mountain tops that offer world class skiing, but there is much more to the state than just its white winters. Colorado has an extremely varied climate and the Colorado planting zones are just as varied. The eastern region is semi-arid while the rest of the state can range from semi-arid to alpine, with multiple microclimates running the spectrum, from subtropical to humid subtropical to humid continental to mediterranean and even subarctic. The state actually has 300 days of sunshine annually, topping out even California, which is knowing for its sunny days. While they do receive record snowfall most years, the state is well-known for its mild temperatures and sunny days that lend to a pretty terrific planting season.
How many days of sunshine does California have?
The state actually has 300 days of sunshine annually, topping out even California, which is knowing for its sunny days. While they do receive record snowfall most years, the state is well-known for its mild temperatures and sunny days that lend to a pretty terrific planting season.
What is the climate zone in Colorado?
We have a wide range of plant hardiness zones, from zone 3 (the coldest growing zone) to zone 7.
When to test soil in Colorado?
Early spring is a great time to test your soil through Colorado State’s Extension Services. Do this at least once every three years so that you can compensate for any nutrient imbalances. Gardening in Colorado usually requires the fastest-growing, most weather-hardy variety of any vegetable.
What vegetables grow in Zone 3?
You must start many vegetables as indoor seedlings in March and April. Carrots, turnips, and onions can be started from seed outdoors in mid-May. Plant potatoes outdoors in early June. Plant beets, bell peppers , beans, and corn the second week of June. Want a more complete guide? Check out the recommendations in The Old Farmer’s Almanac.
When to start broccoli in Zone 4?
Zone 4: Steamboat Springs, Yampa Valley & Parts of Northern Colorado. Zone 4 may also see frost till late May, with temps dipping again in late September. In April, start seedlings for broccoli, beets, carrots, brussels sprouts, onions, peas, and spinach indoors. In late May, you can move them outside.
When to plant tomatoes in Zone 6?
Start tomatoes indoors in March and transplant them in June.
Can you plant in Colorado in the spring?
Growers should steer clear of high-sodium animal manure and opt for plant-based fertilizer instead. Early spring is a great time to test your soil through Colorado State’s Extension Services.
Why Do You Start Seeds Indoors?
Starting seeds indoors (in seed trays or starter pots) gives your crops a head start on the growing season, which is especially important in regions with a short growing season. Starting seeds indoors also provides young, tender plants a chance to grow in a stable, controlled environment.
Which Seeds Should Be Started Indoors?
Not all vegetables should be started indoors! In fact, most are better off being started directly in the garden (aka "direct-sown"). The crops that should be started indoors are those that are particularly susceptible to cold temperatures or that have a very long growing season and need a head start.
How Is Planting for a Fall Harvest Different?
Planting in late summer for a fall harvest has many benefits (soil is already warm, temperatures are cooler, fewer pests). However, the challenge is getting your crops harvested before the winter frosts begin.
When Should You Transplant Seedlings?
When seedlings have grown too large for their seed trays or starter pots, it's time to transplant. If it's not yet warm enough to plant outdoors, transplant the seedlings to larger plastic or peat pots indoors and continue care.
What Is Planting by the Moon?
Planting by the Moon (also called "Gardening by the Moon") is a traditional way to plant your above- and below-ground crops, especially at the start of the season. Here's how it works:
Growing Season Definitions
All freeze dates are based upon the season August 1 through July 31 for each threshold temperature.
Growing Season Dates and Length Probabilities
The average growing season length is shown in the WETS Table as the 50% probability value. Associated with this length are the average dates of the beginning and end of the growing season.
Accommodating Missing Minimum Temperatures when Calculating Growing Season Dates and Length
Previous research ( Ashcroft et al., 1992) has shown that representative last and first frost dates can be calculated from time series that contain missing data.
Threshold Temperature Non-Occurance
Certain areas of the country, Florida or Arizona for example, do not experience one or more of the threshold temperatures in some years. The WETS program adjusts for this situation by using a mixed distribution, binomial and normal, to calculate representative probabilities ( Vestal, 1970, 1971 ).
