Planting a Home Garden at 7000 Feet
- Colorado Farm to Table
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Patricia Colleen Murphy, CFTT Board Member
In Salida, residents thrive on sports like skiing, mountain biking, trail running, and rafting. Gardening here offers its own thrills and adventure. The planting advice shared between friends and neighbors often sounds like local folklore: “Don’t plant until after all the snow has melted off Methodist Mountain.” In more specific terms, mountain gardeners often wait to plant until nights stay consistently above freezing.
In addition to the short growing season, mountain gardeners must remember that the thinner atmosphere at high elevations means stronger UV exposure. Plants can grow quickly in sunlight, but they can also dry out faster and get stressed more easily.
Tomatoes and peppers can develop sun-scald if over-exposed to the sun. Water also behaves differently in the dry mountain air. Gardeners might feel that the soil is adequately moist, but then realize that the top layer dries more quickly. If you’re new to planting, or if you want this year to be a bumper crop, here are four concrete tips to prepare to plant your home garden in Salida.
1. Pick the sunniest (and stillest) spot
When thinking of where to plant, choose a location that will get 6-8+ hours of direct sunlight. Also try to ensure the spot has access to water and protection from strong afternoon wind. Avoid low spots where the cold air will settle. A slight slope or south-facing area performs best.
2. Build the soil first
Colorado mountain soils are often sandy, rocky, or low in organic matter. Before planting, add 2-4 inches of compost. Mix the compost 8-12 inches into the soil. Raised beds work well because they warm easier and drain better. Soil temperature is as important as air temperature for planting success. Avoid early heavy fertilizing since it can cause nutrient burn and runoff.
3. Water differently than humid climates
Salida’s dry climate calls for watering more deeply and less frequently. Watering early in the morning helps because cooler temperatures and calm winds significantly reduce evaporation loss, allowing roots to soak up deep moisture. Add mulch around plants to keep soil moist.
4. Plan for Colorado surprises
Cold snaps and hailstorms can undo weeks of progress in the garden. To prevent setbacks, keep floating row covers, frost blankets, as well as cages and stakes. In a pinch, use tubs, buckets or even overturned chairs to protect plants in a hail storm. Deer can also undo your hard work. Keep them at bay with fencing, repellents, or deer-resistant plants to border your garden.
The easiest crops for a first-year garden in Salida include lettuce, kale, radishes, peas, beets, potatoes, and swiss chard. With proper protection, plant tomatoes, peppers, bush beans, and zucchini. For a home garden in Salida, always plan for intense sun, dry air, cool nights, and a short season.
Photo credit: Rose Seavey