Denver Gardening Guide (2026)

High altitude; short season, intense sun.

USDA zone
6
Typical last frost
05/05
Typical first frost
10/05

Quick answer (Denver): Gardeners here work in about a 153-day frost-free window around zone 6. State context: Colorado (zones 3–7). Start warm crops indoors ~6 weeks before the last frost of 05/05.

🌆 Denver microclimate

  • High altitude (5b-6a)
  • Intense sun, low humidity
  • Late spring frosts, short season

What to grow here, by environment

short season
Radish · Lettuce · Spinach · Peas · Beets
full sun
Tomato (early, Sub-Arctic) · Pepper (compact) · Green beans · Squash
dry
Sage · Lavender · Russian sage · Blue grama
shade
Columbine · Astilbe · Coral bells

Your Denver planting calendar

Pre-filled with Denver's frost dates. Choose a crop to print your plan.

In Colorado (typical zone 37, last frost ≈ May 5, first frost ≈ Oct 5, 153-day season), your Tomato plan:

Start seeds indoors
Mar 24
Sow / transplant outdoors
May 19
First harvest
Jul 28
Spacing / depth
24″ / 0.25

Month-by-month (Colorado, 2026)

MonthAction
Jan
Feb
MarStart indoors
Apr
MaySow · Transplant
Jun
JulHarvest
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Start indoors 6 weeks before last frost; transplant after soil warms. Zones 313 suitable. Dates are typical; confirm with your county extension and watch the 10-day forecast.

Common pests near Denver

Pre-filled to Colorado. Pick a pest for signs, organic-first treatment, and a printable IPM card.

Grasshopper

Targets
Vegetables, ornamentals, young trees
Signs
Chewed leaves and stems; active jumpers in hot dry weather.
Organic / IPM first
Row covers; chickens; neem; beneficial nematodes.
Chemical option (follow label)
Nosema locustae bait (slow) or carbaryl for outbreaks.
Prevention
Trap crops; reduce weedy borders; till in fall.

Crops that fit zone 6

Vegetables and herbs suited to your metro zone — open any for a state-specific planting card: