Blog

We’ve been getting a lot of questions about how to grow things in specific parts of the country.  Here’s one that might apply to other places in the US:

“Hi there!  I live in Colorado Springs, CO – where it’s really cold for
about 7 months of the year, with snow off and on. We want to start our
own backyard veggie and fruit garden, but don’t know where to start.   We
are not sure if much will grow out here.  Our family eats a vegetarian
life style…for health and other reasons.  Any tips or contacts out
here? Thanks and GREAT website!   — Mark & Elizabeth Hernandez”

My first thought is “greenhouse”.  Most cooler climates have a short growing season, so starting seeds indoors, or buying transplants from nurseries is the key to getting the most out of your season.  If you have the space for a greenhouse, you can start seeds in a warm, controlled environment and by doing so, you’ll shave 5 to 6 weeks off your start time in the garden.  Greenhouses come in all shapes and sizes, from temporary to permanent.  Here are a couple temporary ones that might be an economical option to getting started:

Fast Start Greenhouse

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cold Frame with Greenhouse Cover

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

You can also start seeds indoors if you have a shelf or basement available.  Here’s what I use to start seeds early in the season:

Sunlite Table Top Grow System

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are larger models as well, but this is just to get you started. 

Now – as for timing in your climate – check out the Farmer’s Almanac for planting dates in your neck of the woods:

There are also some great books that would help answers all those beginner questions like when to start working the soil, what grows well in your area, etc.

The Colorado Gardener’s Companion: An Insider’s Guide to Gardening in the Centennial State (Gardening Series)
by Jodi Torpey

Colorado Month-to-Month Gardening (2nd Edition)
by Kelli Dolicek

Growing food in the southwest mountains: A permaculture approach to home gardening above 6,500 feet in Arizona, New Mexico, southern Colorado and southern Utah
– by Lisa Rayner

Even if these books don’t have extensive coverage of vegetable gardening, they will give you an idea of what kind of timing to expect and how to condition your soil.

Hope this helps!  Keep us posted on your garden progress.