Spring is just around the bend, meaning everything is coming up roses (and tulips and daisies). In Colorado, it might be easier to grow fruits, veggies, and plants than you think; even with Mother Nature’s surprise April and May snowstorms, all sorts of things thrive along the Front Range. If you’re pining for produce or have a hankering for herbs, consider joining our community garden and planting the following:

Veggies

Many vegetables are ready to veg out in your soil beds once those frosty mornings abate. Some that flourish in spring weather include the following:

• Lettuce (easy to grow)

• Onion (can tolerate cool temps)

• Carrots (known to take to crisp weather and Colorado soil)

• Cabbage (honor your favorite childhood toy and plant an entire patch!)

• Spinach (an uber-healthy addition to a variety of dishes)

• Peppers (do best in temps above 60 degrees)

Fruits

Knowing what to plant can help you enjoy a fruitful growing season. Some fruits to dig into during the Colorado spring include the following:

• Tomatoes (botanically a fruit although eaten as a veggie)

• Berries (including blackberries, gooseberries, raspberries, and blueberries, which grow best in acidic soil) 

• Apples (particularly early-season varieties)

• Plums (peak in mid-summer but are considered an early-spring to late-fall fruit)

Flowers

Spring is when many types of flowers flourish, including daffodils, lily of the valley, azaleas, and tulips. Some varieties that thrive in Colorado gardens include the following:

• Bulbs (do best in sunny areas with well-drained soil and when planted after the last frost of the season)

• Annuals (certain annuals thrive in sunny areas—such as the torch flower, Mexican poppies, and the black-eyed Susan—while some—such as the Madagascar periwinkle—can tolerate a bit of shade)

• Perennials (grow exceptionally well in rainy areas)

Herbs

Gardeners tend to find the most success growing herbs in the spring by starting the seeds indoors and planting them in heavy-sun areas once the weather warms (although some herbs need protection from hot rays). Most herbs prefer enriched soil (as Colorado soil is low in organic matter) that drains well.   

Some herbs that growers have luck with include the following:

• Rosemary

• Thyme

• Basil

• Lemon balm

• Oregano

Not every fruit, veggie, herb, or flower is appropriate for Colorado soil and the temperamental temperatures of Mother Nature. But many crops and plants blossom beautifully in the Centennial State. Consider the above when honing your green thumb and enjoy a fruitful (and veggieful!) season.  

The Habitat Apartments is located in Gunbarrel, providing convenient shopping access in downtown Boulder and beyond. We offer apartments and townhomes with private patios, a heated pool, outdoor kitchens, pet-friendly perks, and a community garden. Contact us today to learn why we’re the perfect place to set down roots this spring.