Colorado Fall Vegetable Garden

Q:  What vegetables are good choices for a fall harvest and when should they be planted?

A:  Our average first frost date in Denver is typically around October 12 .  However, that date can be much earlier or later & is different for other parts of the state.  So keep in mind the following suggestions are based on an average year in Denver. 

• 8-9 weeks before frost: Seedlings of broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale;  Direct sown seeds of arugula, beets, carrots, chard, kale, lettuces, spinach, peas, radishes 

• 6-7 weeks before frost: Direct sown seeds of arugula, beets, chard, kale, lettuces, radishes, spinach

• 4-5 weeks before frost: Seedlings of chard, kale;  Direct sown seeds of arugula, lettuces, radishes, spinach

• Late September & early October: garlic

Many garden centers will be stocking cool season vegetable transplants as the season for planting gets closer.  Seed racks have been restocked with fresh vegetable seeds already.

Keith Funk is handling our Q & A this year. You may have visited one of Keith’s Denver area gardens on a tour or know him from his years at Echter’s and now at Nick’s Garden Center. For 30 years he’s been heard every Saturday morning from 7-9 with fellow Wise Guy, Jim Borland, on the Garden Wise Radio Show on Legends 810AM.