Denver Gardening Guide: Planting Early Cool Season Crops in Colorado

Wondering exactly WHAT to plant and WHEN to plant it in the springtime in the Mile High City? As a backyard vegetable garden expert in Denver, I’ve got your back.

Every year, I hear people say not to plant before Mother’s Day. (ps. those are not your people. 😆)

While you definitely shouldn’t plant warm weather veggies outside before mid-May (think: tomatoes, zucchini, and basil), there are lots of cool season frost-tolerant veggies you can (and should) plant, starting as early as St. Patrick’s Day!

Here are the cool season veggies that can be planted outside well before Mother's Day.


In this blog, you’ll learn:

  • What to Plant in Denver in:

    • Late March

    • Early April

    • Mid April

    • Mid May

Seed vs. Seedling Reference Guide:

🫘= seed

🌱= seedling


What to plant: march

Some cool season veggies are super tolerant and can be planted as early as March! Ready to get started in your Denver garden? Plant these first.

Here’s your planting list:

🫘Lettuce: Plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest!

🫘Peas: Soak peas overnight before planting to speed up germination!

🫘Spinach: A resilient choice for early spring, spinach thrives in the cool weather

READ NEXT:


What to plant: early-mid April

From broccoli to kohlrabi, early April is prime time to transplant seedlings or plant seeds for a variety of nutritious vegetables. Don't forget about herbs like parsley and chives, which can also start their journey in your garden now.

Here’s your planting list:

🌱Broccoli

🌱Broccoli rabe

🌱Brussels sprouts

🌱Cabbage

🌱Cauliflower

🌱Chives

🌱Kale

🌱Kohlrabi

🌱Mustard greens

🌱Onions: Use seedlings or onion sets!

🌱Parsley

🫘Radish: Plant another round in two weeks!

🌱Shallots: Use seedlings or sets

🫘Tatsoi


READ NEXT:



What to plant: mid-late April

In April, start introducing arugula, beets, and other versatile vegetables to your garden mid-month, to ensure a bountiful harvest into the summer.

Here’s your planting list:

🫘Arugula: Plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest!

🫘🌱Beets

🫘🌱Bok Choy

🫘Carrots: Plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest!

🫘🌱Cilantro: Plant every few weeks for a continuous harvest!

🌱Chard

🌱Collards

🫘Potatoes: Use certified seed potatoes!

🫘Turnip


READ NEXT:


What to Plant: mid may

As the season progresses, get ready to welcome celery and fennel into your garden, completing the cycle of cool season planting.

🌱Celery

🌱Fennel


Ready to get started planting? Here are some pro tips for cool season gardening:

  • Protect Your Crops: While cool season crops are hardy, unexpected frosts can still pose a threat. Utilize hoops and row covers to shield your plants from late snow and chilly winds.

  • Don’t Forget to Water: Effective watering is super important in the springtime, especially before the typical sprinkler system kick-off in May.

Early planting offers a rewarding start to the gardening season. With a bit of planning and protection, your cool season vegetables will flourish, setting the stage for a year of abundant growth and harvests.

Get started on your Denver garden journey today!

Schedule your free 20-minute discovery call with us and let's turn your garden dreams into reality.

Have questions or want to share your gardening success stories?



Save this Blog on Pinterest!

What to Plant in Your Denver Kitchen Garden: March-May
Kickstart Your Denver Garden: What to Plant This Spring
Spring Season Planting Guide for Denver

**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small profit if you click on the link to make a purchase. Other links are not sponsored, because I also like supporting small, local businesses.**


Meet the Gardener

I’m Elisa Mack - a mom and Denverite who went from being a green-ish thumb to a kitchen garden fanatic simply by dedicating myself to the study of all things Colorado gardening.

Landscapers don’t design. And nurseries don’t make house calls.

We take a more full-service approach, from designing your dream garden to keeping it beautiful year-round.

And as your coach, I’ll help eliminate the guesswork through every season, no matter your level of knowledge.


read more on the Blog

Previous
Previous

How Much Time Should You Spend in the Garden? Boost Your Productivity and Joy while Gardening

Next
Next

Kickstart Your Denver Kitchen Garden: 4 Early Spring Planting Tips