Probably a stupid question, but ..... (Pueblo: landscaping, work, move)

[jiffin4java]

So my 6yr old son and I had our hearts set on having our own garden again once we move. I grew up in MI and my mother always had one. So, now that we're looking at being sent to CO for my husband to work, do I have to wave bye-bye to that idea?

Mmmm...fresh tomatoes and cukes, green beans, squash. [sigh]

[COflower]

We all survive off gambol oak acorns and deer droppings here.

Of course people have gardens here. You just have to choose the right varieties for our zone.

[McGowdog]

You may have to have your DH go to the landscaping place and bring in a truckload of soil.

My parents used to have a pretty good garden in Southern Pueblo County. They are at an altitude of 6100 too. They get an occasional deer or fox in their backyard too. They had a bear in their tree a couple of years ago.

[jiffin4java]

So, what varieties grow best in CO?

[jiffin4java]

Aha! I found a zone map. I didn't realize CO was in zone 5, just as MI. So I may actually be able to grow a lot of the same things. Am I reading that right? I guess I thought it'd be too cold.

[Katiana]

Originally Posted by jiffin4java

Aha! I found a zone map. I didn't realize CO was in zone 5, just as MI. So I may actually be able to grow a lot of the same things. Am I reading that right? I guess I thought it'd be too cold.

OH, heck no! It gets HOT here in the summers. Just look at the Front Range weather thread, other threads that mention weather, and other weather websites. Some years, we get a lot of tomatoes, some years not. It depends on when it gets warm (usually mid-June) and when it gets cold. The first frost can come as early as early Sept, or as late as late Oct. This year it was latish in Oct. We have had good luck with green beans, pumpkins, sometimes corn and tomatoes. We don't grow cukes, but a lot of people grow zucchini and are always giving it awy. Again, I would suggest checking the weather websites so you have an idea of what Colorado is all about.

[BlueWillowPlate]

Two words: Container Gardening.
Late spring/early fall snows or freezes can wreak havoc.
With containers, you have the mobility to move your vegies should the temperature drop or a hailstorm begin. I grew my tomatoes on a protected flagstone patio and they'd go nuts every year--and I could move them if necessary.
I had my best luck with root vegetables, tomatoes, lettuce, and herbs such as basil, but did have some success with cukes. And as pittnurse said, if everything goes well, you might still be harvesting October tomatoes.

[jiffin4java]

Yay! I'm happy now. Thanks!

[Mike from back east]

One year back east I planted cantelopes in my compost pile, they grew to the size of basketballs, yes, and better than anything I've had anywhere. Tomatoes came out great, too. Plenty of sun and warmth here, you'll do fine. Grow on!

s/mike

[Charles]

I used to grow vegetables. I quit. You know why? Because it was too expensive - water, fertilizer, amendments, seeds, insecticide. And it took a lot of time. I think I grew $20 potatoes.