Gardening in Denver isn’t without its challenges. In fact, beginners may find the climate difficult to navigate without the proper information and tools at their disposal. Despite the city’s arid climate, high elevation and at times, unpredictable weather — growing a successful garden is absolutely possible. Beginners find the best luck when they choose drought-resistant plants and understand the growing conditions within the region. Whether you’re starting with a full-blown in-ground garden in your front yard or you’re sticking to the basics and throwing a few herbs into a container, gardening can have a rewarding payoff for those who stick with it.
Understanding the Local Climate in Denver
Denver’s climate can be best described as semi-arid, with mild temperatures, low humidity and around 300 days of sunshine annually! The city has dry summers, relatively mild winter months and the high altitude and location at the base of the Rockies contribute to a unique array of weather patterns. Denver receives approximately 14-16 inches of rainfall per year, which is less than the national average and can make outdoor gardening challenging. Drought is common, which is why many area gardeners rely on water conservation tactics.
Sudden freezes are not uncommon in Denver, especially during the early fall and late spring. During such an event, protection is crucial for gardens to survive. During the winter months, there may be stretches of mild days, reaching comfortable 60-degree temperatures before being followed by sub-freezing Arctic blasts. This can shock plants and lead to an early demise if steps aren’t taken to protect them.
Denver’s location in the “hail alley” means that the city experiences some of the most frequent and at times, destructive, hail storms in the United States. These storms are typically endured during the late spring and early summer months. The local climate is also characterized by the hundreds of days of sun the city receives each year, which in and of itself doesn’t sound like such a bad thing for developing a garden. However, the high elevation means that the sun is much more intense than it would be elsewhere.
What is Urban Gardening?
Urban gardening is the practice of growing plants, veggies, and herbs in densely populated areas, such as the Mile High City! Urban gardening has a variety of techniques, such as container gardening (think pots on patios and balconies), raised bed gardening, vertical gardening (trellises, walls, and stackable planters), and even community gardening! In some instances, urban gardening can also mean indoor gardening and greenhouses.
Urban gardening can thrive in Denver due to the dry climate, intense sunlight, and shorter growing seasons. Container gardening is a popular choice, as it allows for the gardener to have better control over the soil and moisture, while also making protection against extreme weather easier. Raised beds are great for improving drainage and retaining moisture and greenhouses can successfully extend the growing season by protecting delicate plants and veggies from early frosts.
Other types of gardening that are popular within the region include xeriscaping and permaculture. Xeriscaping is considered a water-efficient landscaping technique that’s specifically designed for dry climates similar to Denver’s semi-arid climate. The technique focuses on reducing water while maintaining the functional landscape, which means choosing drought-resistant plants, generous layers of mulch, and even grouping plants with a hydro zoning method to make watering more efficient.
Permaculture gardening is a sustainable and self-sufficient method of gardening that closely mimics natural ecosystems. This means focusing on working in unison with nature as opposed to against it. Using renewable resources such as compost, harvested rainwater and natural fertilizer are all principles of this way of gardening. Permaculture can encourage diversity, minimize waste, and regenerate the land over time.
Choosing Plants That Thrive in Denver’s Climate
Now that you know all about Denver’s climate and the various methods of gardening that can be successful in a semi-arid, high-altitude environment — it’s time to learn which types of plants love growing in Denver!
If you’re brand new to gardening in Denver, your best bet is to opt for low-maintenance, hardy plant varieties. These plants are forgiving and can handle temperature swings, drought, and even poor soil conditions. Some of the easiest plants to grow in Denver include:
- Carrots, radishes, beets (root veggies)
- Lettuce, spinach, kale (leafy greens)
- Zucchini, green beans, peppers (warm-season veggies)
- Chives, mint, sage, oregano, thyme (easy-to-grow herbs)
- Black-Eyed Susan, Coneflowers, Yarrow, Rocky Mountain Penstemon (native flowers)
Common Challenges for Newbie Gardeners in Denver
It’s no secret that gardening in Colorado can be a bit of a unique challenge. With the average elevation of the Centennial State sitting at 6,800 feet. Denver gardeners must overcome challenges such as a relatively short growing season. Denver’s last frost can occur as late as mid-May and the first frost can hit as early as September. The higher elevation isn’t without its difficulties, either. Stronger UV rays can stress plants and cause soil moisture to evaporate at a significantly faster rate. Denver also faces rapid fluctuations in temperature, sometimes dropping over 40 degrees in a single day! This can come as a shock to less hardy plant varieties.
Other challenges include sudden hailstorms, which can be common in the late spring and summer months. A severe storm can destroy a garden within minutes! The low humidity and arid climate require gardeners to provide consistent watering and mulching in order for their soil to retail enough moisture. Since much of Denver’s soil is clay-heavy and alkaline, gardeners must also watch for drainage issues and nutrient deficiencies.
More common issues faced by gardeners in all locales include keeping pests and wildlife at bay. Rabbits, squirrels and deer can be problematic — sometimes more so depending on where you live! Other common pests like aphids and grasshoppers can also cause a disruption to an otherwise healthy, prosperous garden.
When it comes to selecting the right plants, gardening newcomers may find it difficult to decipher which plants tolerate the sun and the conditions of the soil. Understanding which plants thrive in the local climate is key to successful gardening. Colorado gardeners have the opportunity to grow excellent flowers and vegetables, as well as lush, green lawns.
To be successful, many Denver gardeners use raised beds with amended soil and practice season extending techniques — such as row covers and cold frames. Choosing drought-resistant and cold weather-hardy plant varieties is a great way for beginner gardeners to grow their skills and find an abundance of joy in the garden.
Tips for Beginner Gardeners in Denver
Now that you know the common challenges faced by Denver gardeners — beginners to experts — it’s time to learn how you can find success, even within your first growing season!
Start small! This means focusing on just a few plants at a time, either in containers or a raised bed. This can alleviate some of the stress by preventing new gardeners from feeling overwhelmed by too much all at once. Choose a handful of easy-to-grow and beginner-friendly options.
Improve your soil. Due to Denver’s soil being notoriously clay-heavy, mixing in compost can immediately provide better drainage — which makes it easier for plants to grow and thrive!
When you water matters! Early morning watering is widely considered to be ideal. A morning rinse allows plants to dry throughout the day, which minimizes the risk of fungal diseases. Cooler morning temps during warmer weather can also enable water to absorb into the soil as opposed to evaporating in the heat of the day.
Protect your pants. Beginners who have yet to experience the destruction of a sudden hailstorm or a rapid onset frost may be unprepared for such an event. Keep row covers or a few buckets handy for such weather patterns.
The Denver Area’s Best Garden Centers & Nurseries
Now that you’re all fired up about gardening, kick-start your goals by visiting one of the Denver area’s garden centers and nurseries. Let the experts guide you towards making a thoughtful decision and learn from the best about what it takes to successfully grow something beautiful in Denver.
City Floral Garden Center
Where? 1440 Kearney Street
Denver’s City Floral Garden Center invites all skill levels of gardeners to visit, from beginners looking to start their adventure to masters who are searching for the newest addition to their thriving greenery. The garden center allows shoppers to browse online and even have their expertly curated plants delivered! It doesn’t get much more convenient than that. The view at this local center changes with the seasons, so make sure to visit ASAP! City Floral Garden Center is the only full-service, year-round garden center within the Denver city limits and has been growing and selling plants since 1911. Yes, you read that correctly! With over 110 years of experience, you can’t go wrong when visiting the professionals at City Floral. Featured services include in-store re-potting, custom containers, and more. Shop drought-tolerant perennials, which can alleviate the concern about unpredictable droughts and climate change.
Nick’s Garden Center & Farm Market
Where? 2001 South Chambers Road
Nick’s Garden Center & Farm Market has been serving the Denver metro region for over three decades. The full-service center has everything you need to beautify your landscape. The family-owned and operated business has knowledgeable staff onsite who are always ready to help. Whether you’re shopping for trees, shrubs, vegetables, herbs, grasses, or other plants — you’ll find it all at this Aurora garden center. The garden center even hosts a blog, which is hailed as a great resource for gardening and year-round plant information. Articles are curated for the region’s unique growing climate and include topics such as growing a healthy lawn, caring for houseplants, and more! Nick’s changes with the seasons, from the springtime’s blooming flowers, brilliant colors, and busy planting season to the summer’s fresh, local produce and the annual Nick’s Chili Fest in September! There’s always something going on at this beloved garden center, so be sure to swing by and see what it’s all about.
Tagawa Gardens
Where? 7711 South Parker Road
Tagawa Gardens is located in Centennial and has been a family-owned business since 1982. The gardens are known for cultivating beauty, creating community, and helping a range of Colorado gardeners succeed through every season! Whether you’re shopping for fresh houseplants or you’re looking for bird-feeding tips, Tagawa Gardens can help you bring to life your garden as you envision it. The service offering at Tagawa Gardens can also help beginners transform into skilled gardeners, such as with their garden coaching offering that offers specific plant suggestions that can help you reach your garden goals. The garden center also offers resources such as informational PDFs, YouTube videos, and a garden blog that can help local gardeners reach new heights of success.
Echter’s Nursery & Garden Center
Where? 5150 Garrison Street
Echter’s Nursery & Garden Center is located in Arvada and is open year-round. The center features huge greenhouses filled with beautiful flowers. Since 1959, Echter’s has been a local, family-owned nursery and has been the past recipient of the Garden Center of the Year Award from the Garden Centers of America. Hailing as one of the largest retail plant nurseries and garden centers in the state, shoppers will find an expansive selection of flowers that are not normally found in other centers. With over 2,500 varieties each year, you’ll be able to find what speaks to you and what’s right for your growing environment. As a bonus, at least one plant doctor with a minimum of 10 years of garden center experience is on-site every day to answer customer questions! Where can you beat service like that? In addition to their greenhouse plants, Echter’s also sells trees, shrubs, and houseplants.
Good Luck with Your Garden!
Now that you’ve chosen to embark on your gardening journey, all that’s left is to hit up a local nursery or garden center and choose some new additions to your home! Despite the handful of challenges Denver throws at gardeners, the region boasts beautiful gardens of all varieties. There’s nothing more rewarding than your first harvest of herbs or veggies or looking out your window to enjoy the stunning array of native flowers that attract pollinators to your yard!