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Living in the foothills has become quite popular among residents of Larimer County, but those who move from the lower altitudes must first relearn some gardening and landscaping techniques.
Although there are guidelines for growing plants in mountain areas, there are variables that must be taken into account such as the location and microclimates within a particular property. Approximately three-fourths of the nation’s land above 10,000 ft. is in Colorado. Higher elevation and terrain features trap cold air and reduce the number of frost-free days. To complicate it further some lower mountain valleys trap cold air causing shorter growing seasons than higher valleys. For example, Steamboat Springs (6,770 ft.) has only 49 days average frost-free; Fraser (8,560 ft.) only 16 days, but Leadville (10,000+ ft.) has an average of 77 frost-free days.
Another consideration is mountain soils which can be low in certain essential ingredients. In addition, light-colored soils (decomposed granite) are less apt to absorb heat. Adding organic matter improves water retention and heat absorption but may warm more slowly in the spring because of higher moisture content. A soil test following the addition of organic material is advised.
Many residents of mountain communities desire plants that will add color to the landscape. A survey of 66 mountain communities in Colorado(6,000+ ft.), conducted by Colorado State University, determined that herbaceous perennials are the most reliable source of color. Because of the shorter growing season they should be planted in the spring.
Perennials that can be planted above 6,000 feet are listed below and are grouped by color. Yellow flowering perennials are: yarrow (Achillea filipendula); gaillardia (Gaillardia aristata), a yellow-red combination; goldmoss stonecrop (Sedum acre); European tansy (Tanacetum vulgare), and globeflower (Trollius europaeus). Whites include pearly everlasting (Anaphalis sp.); canterbury bells (Campanula medium), and shasta daisy (Chrysanthemum maximum).
Perennials adding a variety of different colors are many. A few suggested ones are: hollyhock (Althaea rosea); cup ‘n saucer (Campanula medium calycanthema); mountain bluet (Centaurea montana); painted daisy (Chrysanthemum coccineum Pyrethrum); hardy delphinium (Delphinium elatum); sweet William (Dianthus barbatus); cottage pink (Dianthus pulmarius); foxglove (Digitalis purpurea); maltese cross (Lychnis chalcedonia), and heliotrope (Valeriana officinalis).
The purple clustered bellflower (Campanula glomerata) or blue common flax (Linum perenne) are eye-catching; pink perennial sweet pea (Lathyrus latifolius) is a versatile accent; rose-red bleeding heart (Dicentra spectablis) and Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) provide early blooms.
Many shrubs also do well in mountain communities. Among those hardy to at least 8,000 feet.are: amur maple (Acer ginnala), rabbitbrush (Chrysothamnus nauseosus), Harrison yellow rose (Rosa harrisoni) or redleaf shrubrose (R. rubifolia), and wayfaringtree viburnum (Viburnum lantana). Those hardy up to 9,000 ft. include Rocky Mountain maple (Acer glabrum), water birch (Betula fontinalis), and raspberry (Rubus spp.). The list of varieties hardy over 10,000 ft. is extensive. A few favorites are serviceberry (Amelanchier alnifolia), Siberian peashrub (Caragana arborescens), creeping grape-holly (Mahonia repens), currant and gooseberry (Ribes spp.), Persian lilac (Syringa laciniata persica), and European cranberrybush (Viburnum opulus).
For further information on plants that do well in mountain communities refer to Fact Sheets: 7.408 - Trees for Mountain Communities, 7.406 - Garden Flowers for Mountain Communities, and 7.407 - Shrubs for Mountain Communities.
Q: When and where is the Larimer County Master Gardeners’ Farmers’ Market?
A: The Farmers’ Market sponsored by the Larimer County Cooperative Extension Master Gardeners is held every Saturday morning, July 8 through September 30 from 8:00 a.m. to 12 Noon in the parking lot of the Larimer County Courthouse. The Market has a variety of fresh vegetables, fruits, flowers, herbs, dried flowers, honey, bread, cheese, horticulture-based crafts, and much more. Because of the warm spring weather this year, many items, such as peaches, are already available. All gardeners are invited to be vendors. Call the Larimer County Extension Office at 498-6000 for more information.
Q: I live at an elevation of approximately 8,000 feet. I would like to plant several trees in late summer/early autumn when they go on sale. Any recommendations?
A: The best time to plant trees at this elevation is early spring. Plant as soon as the soil can be worked and hold in the moisture with 4 to 6 inches of mulch. This will help extend the growing season by moderating the soil temperature. If you do plant in the fall, be sure and mulch around the root system and water during the fall and winter months if snow cover is light.
Q: Should I clear snow away from my newly-planted trees this winter to keep the roots warm in the sun?
A: Don’t remove it. Snow cover is excellent mulch, it even allows root growth to occur during some periods of the winter. Rather, encourage accumulation of it in drifts over the root zone of young plants by using temporary snow fences or evergreen boughs.
Q: Some of my tomatoes have brown spots on the bottom. Is it a disease?
A: What you are describing sounds like blossom end-rot, a symptom that occurs when tomatoes are not evenly watered. With our dry conditions, be sure and keep the plants moist with regular irrigation. Place an organic mulch over the root system to hold moisture and prevent weeds.
Harvest Know How:
Pick green beans before the pods get lumpy.
Swiss chard should be picked when the outer leaves are four to ten inches long.
Corn is ready to harvest when the silk turns brown and dry. Puncture a kernel with your fingernail. The sap should be milky
Cucumbers can be picked when the size is appropriate for the intended use. Don’t let them turn yellow.
Use eggplant while they are young and the skin is glossy.
Pick summer squash while it is young and tender.
When cucumbers, okra, eggplant and summer squash have been allowed to grow until the seeds mature, the skin grows tough and bitter and the plant stops producing.
Sweet peppers can be picked when they are at the correct size for the intended use. You can wait and let them turn color if desired.
Hot peppers should be left to turn red If they are going to be dried.
Tomatoes should be harvested when red but while the area around the stem is still a little green. Different varieties of tomatoes may turn a different color than red when ready to pick.
Winter squash, (acorn, butternut and pumpkin) should be left on the vines until the skin is too hard to punctured with your fingernail.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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