Gardening in Colorado can feel like trying to tame the wild west, unpredictable weather, dry soil, and a short growing season. But with a bit of know-how, it’s totally possible to grow a thriving garden filled with veggies, herbs, and blooms that love this unique landscape. If you’re just starting out, here’s your crash course in cultivating a green thumb in Colorado.

Know Your Zone: Colorado’s Growing Regions

First things first—check your USDA Hardiness Zone. Colorado spans Zones 3 to 7, depending on elevation. For most Front Range cities like Denver, Boulder, and Colorado Springs, you’re likely in Zone 5b or 6a.

Use this USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find your exact zone. This helps determine your frost dates and what plants will thrive. The growing season generally runs from mid-May to early October, but this can vary by altitude and microclimate.

Soil: It’s Not Just Dirt

Colorado soil is famously tricky. It’s often clay-heavy, alkaline, and low in organic matter—not ideal for most plants.

Tips for better soil:

• Add compost or well-aged manure to improve texture and nutrition.
• Use raised beds or container gardening for more control.
• Get a soil test through Colorado State University’s Extension Service (link here) for precise recommendations.

What to Grow: Colorado-Loving Plants

Best Vegetables:

• Root veggies: carrots, beets, radishes
• Leafy greens: spinach, kale, swiss chard (great for early spring/fall)
• Tomatoes & peppers: do well in warmer zones with a head start indoors
• Squash & zucchini: hardy and prolific
• Green beans: great for shorter seasons

Best Herbs:

• Thyme, sage, oregano, and rosemary: love the dry air and sun
• Basil: thrives with heat—plant after frost!
• Mint: grows like wildfire (keep it in a pot unless you want a takeover)

Best Flowers:

• Columbine: Colorado’s state flower, thrives in partial shade
• Coneflowers (Echinacea): hardy perennials
• Black-eyed Susans: great for pollinators
• Marigolds: pest-deterring and colorful

Want a garden that attracts bees and butterflies? Check out the Colorado Native Plant Society for native plant guides!

Timing Is Everything

• Start seeds indoors: late February to early March
• Transplant outdoors: mid-May (after Mother’s Day is a good rule of thumb)
• Succession planting: stagger your crops like lettuce and radishes every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest

Essentials to Get You Started

Trowel, gloves, and watering can (or a hose with a spray nozzle)

Mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds

Row covers or frost blankets for those surprise spring snows

Raised beds or containers if your soil needs a break

Learn More

Here are some solid resources to deepen your gardening wisdom:

• Colorado State University Extension – everything from composting to pest control
• PlantTalk Colorado – quick gardening advice straight from local experts
• High Altitude Gardening Tips (from Denver Botanic Gardens)

Gardening in Colorado takes a bit of patience and experimentation, but it’s deeply rewarding. Start small. Pick a few vegetables and herbs you love, experiment with some native flowers, and get to know your soil and seasons. Before long, you’ll have a patch of green that’s uniquely yours.

Have tips or garden wins to share? Drop them in the comments or tag us @jonesluckgarden on Instagram—we love to see your growth