Growing your vegetables can help you put fresh organic foods on your table. Moreover, preparing your vegetable garden and watching the green crops flourish can be a fulfilling summer activity. However, the short growing season in Denver makes it difficult to choose the best summer vegetable to plant. This guide will help you choose the best vegetables for your garden next summer.
Denver’s Growing Season
A growing season refers to the period that favors crop growth from planting to harvesting. In Denver, the period is quite short. Farmers in Denver have about 153 days to grow their crops. The growing season begins in early May and extends to the first fall (October 3) frost. You can use Mother’s Day to mark the beginning of the planting season.
While the growing season in Denver may appear short, it can support the growth of several vegetable varieties. All you need to know is the crop’s seed-to-harvest period to check whether it fits in the short growing season. Once you understand the growing season and the vegetables that can mature in that period, you maximize your can maximize your produce.
Plants You Can Still Plant in The Summer and Get a Harvest
As we mentioned earlier, the growing season is enough to grow an unlimited number of vegetables. Moreover, some vegetables require even maturity periods shorter than the growing season. That means some vegetables do well when you plant them early, while others will still thrive when you plant them in mid or late summer. Use this guide to plan your summer vegetable gardening.
Crops that Do Well When Planted in Early Summer
Cucumbers
You can start your summer gardening with cucumbers. This warm-season vegetable has become a staple in Denver gardens. Cucumbers are easy to grow and take 50 to 65 days from planting to the first harvest. Cucumbers are best when you harvest them before they begin to yellow.
Tomatoes
Another vegetable to plant in early summer is the tomato. Although tomatoes take only 100 days to mature, we recommend planting them early in summer since they only thrive in warm weather. You can grow them from seeds indoors in spring and transplant them in summer. You can also buy seedlings ready for transplanting.
Peppers
Preppers are also warm-season crops that take between 60-150 days to reach maturity. You can grow them indoors from seeds and transplant them in early summer when the weather gets warmer.
Okra
Plant your okras early in summer, between 15 and 25 May, to fully utilize the short growing season. Okras take 55 to 65 days to mature, and you can harvest them for the next 10 weeks.
Vine Plants
Vine plants also do well when planted early in summer. You can grow them from seeds or buy seedlings.
Mid – Late Summer
Slightly late, but still want to spend part of your summer in the garden? You can still grow the vegetables and still get a harvest.
Zucchini
Zucchini takes 45 to 55 days to mature, meaning you can plant them in late July or early August and still get a good harvest.
Squash
You can still plant your squash mid-summer since it only takes 50 to 65 days to mature.
Pole Beans
The pole bean is another excellent crop to plant in mid-summer. This delicious vegetable is only 55-65 days mature.
Bush Beans
Bush beans are another excellent choice for mid-summer gardening. They only take 45 days to mature, meaning you can plant them in July.
Late Summer Vegetables
It’s never too late to begin summer gardening. You can plant the following plants late in the summer for a fall harvest.
- Lettuce
- Radishes
- Beats
Looking for an Engaging and Fulfilling Outdoor Summer Activity? Start a Vegetable Garden
Do not run out of summer outdoor activity ideas when you have a vegetable garden. Contact Nick’s Garden Center for vegetable seedlings you can plant in summer and enrich your food basket.
