What to plant this week in Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins gardeners are in full swing as the soil warms for direct sowing of heat-loving crops like yellow summer squash, zucchini, and cucumbers. With last frost historically hitting around May 1, late spring risks have passed, but watch your microclimates on the flat High Plains where cool nights can still chill seedlings.
The next 7 days
Fort Collins, COGrowing in Fort Collins right now
- Plant bush beans, nasturtiums, and French marigolds directly into warm ground now; do not attempt to transplant tender starts as they struggle with Fort Collins' dry summer air.
- Our high-elevation soil often lacks organic matter, so mix compost heavily before planting heavy feeders like sweet corn, potatoes, and zucchini to prevent nitrogen deficiency.
- Take advantage of the intense afternoon sun by sowing sunflowers and cosmos immediately; these native-adapted plants thrive in our short but hot growing window between frost dates of May 1 and October 15.
Sow this week
6 crops- Bush Bean
- Cucumber
- French Marigold
- Nasturtium
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zucchini
Transplant this week
Nothing is due to go out this week.
Harvest soon
55 crops- Banana Pepper
- Basil
- Beefsteak Tomato
- Beet
- Bell Pepper
- Borage
- Bush Bean
- Cabbage
- Cantaloupe
- Carrot
- Cauliflower
- Cayenne Pepper
- Cherry Tomato
- Cleome (Spider Flower)
- Collard Greens
- Cosmos
- Cowpea (Black-Eyed Pea)
- Cucumber
- Eggplant
- Fennel
- French Marigold
- Garden Geranium (Zonal)
- Garden Verbena
- Garlic
- Ground Cherry
- Jalapeño
- Lantana
- Lima Bean
- Nasturtium
- Onion
- Ornamental Sweet Potato Vine
- Parsley
- Parsnip
- Petunia
- Poblano Pepper
- Pole Bean
- Potato
- Roma Tomato
- Rutabaga
- Scallion (Bunching Onion)
- Scarlet Runner Bean
- Shishito Pepper
- Shiso (Japanese Basil)
- Snapdragon
- Summer Savory
- Sunflower
- Sweet Corn
- Swiss Chard
- Thai Basil
- Tomatillo
- Tomato
- Vinca (Madagascar Periwinkle)
- Yellow Summer Squash
- Zinnia
- Zucchini
Seasonal tips
- Succession sow bush beans and pole beans every two weeks for a continuous supply of fresh pods.
- Mulch around heavy feeders like tomatoes and peppers to retain moisture as summer heat sets in.
- Pinch back the tops of young squash plants to encourage bushy growth before they get too large.
Pest & disease watch
- Aphid populations are spiking on newly emerged bean pods and squash leaves, requiring weekly water spray checks.
- Late-season powdery mildew is a major risk for tomatoes and cucumbers as humidity rises in July; ensure strong air circulation between rows.
- Cutworms often attack seedling bases of transplanted peppers and eggplants early in the season if soil temps fluctuate rapidly.
Watering this week
Water deeply in the morning to keep soil moist but avoid wetting foliage which invites disease on your leafy greens.
Harvest Banana Peppers and Cayenne Peppers now while they are still small for a spicier, more compact fruit.
Fort Collins gardening questions
3Is it safe to sow zucchini seeds directly into my Fort Collins garden bed this week?
Yes, because average temperatures are now consistently above 50°F following our May 1 last frost date. Zucchini germinates best in warm soil and will not survive a transplant shock here.
Which of the harvestable crops listed should I check for ripeness today?
Focus on your beefsteak tomatoes, sweet corn, and bush beans, which are ready to pick soon. Also look for mature carrots and cauliflower if they have been growing in protected rows.
Do I need to worry about frost damage to my basil or Italian herbs now?
Not at night, as hard freezes won't return until after October 15, but cool morning air can slow growth. Keep your Thai and regular basil well-watered to maintain flavor in our dry climate.
Other cities in zone 5b
8See the full zone 5b guide → · Plan your Fort Collins garden in SproutGuide →