What to plant this week in Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins gardeners are riding a tight window before the May 1st frost deadline, with warm soils now perfect for sowing cold-tender crops like Bush Beans and Sweet Corn. While the high plains offer distinct growing days, you must be vigilant against rapid spring freezes that can still pop up in late April despite recent warmth.
The next 7 days
Fort Collins, COGrowing in Fort Collins right now
- The Cache la Poudre River valley microclimates retain heat better than the surrounding foothills; use this advantage to transplant your Celery and Leeks into sheltered south-facing spots.
- Our semi-arid climate means you must start harvesting water-intensive crops like Cucumbers and Zucchini early this week before summer droughts set in.
- Watch for late snowmelt runoff from the nearby mountains which can cause root rot if heavy rains coincide with transplanting your Dahlias and Sunflowers.
Sow this week
No direct sowing windows open this week.
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
42 crops- Basil
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cantaloupe
- Celery
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Dahlia
- Edamame
- Fennel
- Flour Corn
- French Marigold
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ghost Pepper (Bhut Jolokia)
- Gourd (Ornamental/Bottle)
- Honeydew Melon
- Leek
- Lima Bean
- Lisianthus (Prairie Gentian)
- Loofah (Luffa)
- Nasturtium
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsnip
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Pumpkin
- Roselle (Cranberry Hibiscus)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Thai Basil
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Watermelon
- Winter Squash
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Mulch around transplanted squash and melons to retain moisture as summer heat builds up.
- Succession sow pole beans or sweet corn every two weeks for a continuous harvest throughout July.
- Pinch back tips on basil, celery, and marigolds to encourage bushier growth before the end of the season.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphid colonies are exploding on young Cosmoas and Zinnias due to the current warm, dry winds blowing off the plains.
- Cutworms are actively feeding on seedling stems of Pole Beans and Squash; inspect soil lines daily for loss.
- Powdery mildew is appearing on early-harvested Celery leaves in our dry, dusty conditions.
Watering this week
Water deeply at soil level in the morning to keep roots cool and reduce evaporation during hot days.
Harvest zucchini and yellow summer squash early in the day when they are most tender and flavorful.
Fort Collins gardening questions
3Can I plant my Garlic now since the ground feels warm?
No, wait until late August or September; planting it today means your bulbs will rot before winter dormancy. Stick to sowing cool-season crops like Parsnips if you want something in the soil this week.
Is it too early for my Honeydew Melons to set fruit?
Not necessarily, as Fort Collins soils warm quickly under our clear skies, but ensure your plants have a trellis ready before the wind picks up.
How do I protect my Ghost Pepper plants from late spring freezes?
Cover them with breathable row covers or drop cloths if temperatures dip toward our -15°F lows, as these tropical peppers cannot survive a hard freeze.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Fort Collins garden in SproutGuide →