Zone 5b Denver raised garden beds

Zone 5b Denver Gardening Guide

Frost dates, planting calendars, and Front Range growing conditions for Wheat Ridge and the Denver Metro area

Your Growing Window

Average Last Frost
May 7 (average)
Average First Frost
October 7 (average)
Growing Season
Approximately 153 days

What Grows Well in Zone 5b Denver

Reliable Producers

  • ✓Tomatoes (with right variety)
  • ✓Zucchini
  • ✓Kale
  • ✓Peppers
  • ✓Green beans
  • ✓Basil
  • ✓Chard

Worth the Effort

  • →Corn (short season varieties)
  • →Watermelon (start early)
  • →Eggplant

Skip It

  • ✗Okra (too short a season)
  • ✗Sweet potatoes (marginal)
  • ✗Artichokes (iffy perennial)

The Raised Bed Advantage

Raised beds warm up 2–3 weeks earlier than in-ground plots in Denver's clay-heavy soil. This effectively extends the season and is why most successful Front Range food gardeners use them.

Raised Bed Command Center →(page coming soon)

Video Library

Watch: Getting Started in Zone 5b Denver

Tomato Problems Are Not Random: Find the Clue

Tomato Problems Are Not Random: Find the Clue

last monthWatch →
Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling? Check This First!

Why Are My Tomato Leaves Curling? Check This First!

2 months agoWatch →
Tomato Flowers Falling Off Before Fruiting? Check This First

Tomato Flowers Falling Off Before Fruiting? Check This First

2 months agoWatch →
Yellow Tomato Leaves? Check This Before You Fertilize

Yellow Tomato Leaves? Check This Before You Fertilize

2 months agoWatch →

Growing in Denver? Let's compare notes.

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