What to plant this week in Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins gardeners are currently in the quiet lull between late spring and early summer, waiting for soil temperatures to stabilize after our typical April snowmelt. With an average last frost date of May 1, many of us have been holding off on major transplants until this week passes safely.
The next 7 days
Fort Collins, COGrowing in Fort Collins right now
- Our high-altitude plateau retains cold air in low-lying areas like the Old Town and Southside neighborhoods longer than the higher elevations; delay planting heat-loving crops by a few days if frost is predicted after May 1.
- The local soil here often packs tight during freeze-thaw cycles, making it essential to till deeply now before sowing cool-season crops to break up that hard crust for better root penetration.
- Given our semi-arid climate and low humidity, apply a thick layer of organic mulch immediately around your newly planted garlic and loofah to conserve moisture as we move into the dry summer months.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
4 crops- Daikon Radish
- Garlic
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
Seasonal tips
- Finish sowing cold-hardy greens now to maximize yields before the soil warms up significantly.
- Prepare raised beds by adding compost ahead of time so they are ready for transplanting in June.
- Plan your succession schedule for tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant to ensure a continuous summer harvest.
Pest & disease watch
- Watch for aphids clustering on new growth of transplanted seedlings as temperatures climb above 50°F.
- Powdery mildew can develop rapidly on leafy greens if irrigation wets the foliage in our hot, dry winds; water at dawn instead of evening to let leaves dry quickly.
Watering this week
Water deeply and consistently now that the ground has thawed, aiming for about 1 inch per week to encourage strong root establishment.
Apply a light layer of mulch around transplants once they are in the ground to retain moisture as the soil temperature fluctuates.
Fort Collins gardening questions
3Is it safe to transplant my tomato and pepper starts this week?
No, wait until after May 1 since an early late frost could damage tender transplants. Keep them hardened off in a sheltered spot like your greenhouse or garage for another week if you want to get a head start.
What should I do with the garlic bulbs ready for harvest?
Since garlic is listed as something to harvest soon, dig carefully near the base of the plants now to check for bulb size without pulling them out completely yet. Let the tops turn slightly yellow before final harvesting to ensure maximum bulb development.
How do I handle our dry summers when growing loofah and roselle?
These crops need consistent moisture but hate wet feet, so water deeply in the morning rather than frequent light sprinklings that evaporate quickly. Mulching heavily around the base will help retain soil moisture during Fort Collins' intense afternoon sun.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Fort Collins garden in SproutGuide →