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starting a Mile high Vegetable garden #761571

Asked July 13, 2021, 5:29 PM EDT

I'm panning a garden this coming spring with fruits, vegetables, and whatever I can grow/eat; however I am unfamiliar with high altitude and arid Colorado environment as I'm from a zone 8 area. Where can I find information on when and what grows in a zone 5b area? I am planning on a traditional outside garden in the backyard. Thank you.

Jefferson County Colorado

Expert Response

Hi John,

Gardening in Colorado presents a lot of different challenges, we have a shorter growing season (often with late spring hail that can damage young plants), and challenging soil in many cases. Elevation can make a lot different as well. 

This following link will take you to our Colorado Vegetable Growing Guide which provides a great breakdown of advice plant-by-plant: https://growgive.extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/63/2021/01/Colorado-Vegetable-Guide-2.1.pdf

In addition, we have a bunch of resources to help new gardeners get started. You may be interested in raised bed gardening and for more information on this, I would encourage you to take a look at this following link and click 'general gardening info': https://growgive.extension.colostate.edu/grow/

Here is one last quick link for more information about vegetable gardening above 7,500ft: https://extension.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Complete-7.248-Vegetable-Gardening.pdf

An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 19, 2021, 5:03 PM EDT

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