During the post-Civil War era, settlers traveled by covered wagon across the Great Plains to make their homes at the foot of the Rockies. The lure was the promise of up to 160 acres of government-surveyed land in exchange for working the land and building a home on it.
Those who had the grit and determination to farm for five years, despite Colorado’s harsh climate, were rewarded with a deed to the land.
That same spirit is alive today at the Plains Conservation Center, where Arapahoe County Master Gardener volunteers use the same planting methods and heirloom plants of early pioneers. Denver Botanic Gardens grows and donates selected varieties for the garden that have been carefully researched and verified as varieties used in the late 1800s.
Fast-forward 150 years to present-day gardeners who face other challenges, such as planting on a slope, in restricted spaces such as balconies, or in shade from adjacent houses. At a time when there is seemingly no end in sight for skyrocketing food prices, growing one’s own fruit, vegetables and herbs makes economic sense.
The good news is that a traditional dedicated space is not needed to grow food.
Create a tapestry
One option for growing your own food is foodscaping, the practice of integrating edible plants with ornamental plants. Foodscaping is as old as the ancient Egyptians and Babylonians, who were known for combining ornamental trees, shrubs and fruit trees along with flower gardens and edible crops. It wasn’t until the Renaissance period that Europeans started separating ornamental gardens and food gardens.
Maybe you plan to expand ornamental gardens to include a food garden border. A perennial garden with a border of greens, squash and edible flowers can add beautiful texture just a few steps away from the kitchen. A similar effect is possible by adding a border of herbs, lettuce or spinach to an existing flower garden. Look for a sunny transition area between turf and ornamental garden to tuck in a few favorites such as radishes, Swiss chard and scallions.
Smaller tomato plants of the determinate type can add a splash of color while not overtaking the garden space. Ideally, the area should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight and have well-drained soil. Vegetable, herb and small fruit choices are abundant and invite creative design ideas.
Tight on space?
If your gardening space is limited to a balcony or tiny yard, think vertical and container gardening. Almost anything can be grown in a container – even trees – if the container is appropriately sized for the task. Make use of vertical space by attaching smaller containers to a fence or place an obelisk or trellis in a container to support climbing plants like pole beans or cucumbers. Smaller, more compact cultivars specifically intended for containers are widely available.
Place containers where they will receive at least six hours of sun each day. Cool-season crops (like broccoli, lettuce and spinach) should be kept in partial shade. If you have garden space, you can also place containers in ornamental beds. Fill containers with quality potting soil to ensure proper drainage. Plant either a single variety per pot or multiple varieties in one pot. Grouped together, you can create an inspiring and pleasing display of colors, heights and textures.
Water in and apply an all-purpose liquid fertilizer to new transplants. Continue to fertilize during the summer, as directed on the fertilizer container. Be sure to keep containers well hydrated. They dry out easily, especially terracotta pots.
Consider growing these in containers:
- Herbs: Keep near the kitchen door!
- Carrots: Use a container double the height of the variety you will grow.
- Cucumbers and Squash (zucchini and summer squash): Choose bush varieties unless you have a trellis for vining cultivars. A single plant can quickly fill a container.
- Eggplant: Fairly sensitive to cool temperatures (lower than 50 degrees).
- Leafy Greens: Snip and snip again for multiple harvests! This includes lettuce, kale and spinach.
- Peas: Put tall supports in the container and water frequently.
- Peppers: Whether a bell or hot variety, peppers do well in containers and are great for pickling, preserves and salsa.
- Potatoes: Choose types that mature early. Some potatoes can take up to 120 days to mature.
- Radishes: No need for a large container.
- Tomatoes: Micro varieties do well. Support with a tomato cage or stake if needed.
Planting mid-season
The dog days of summer are almost here, but don’t despair. See those empty spaces that were previously occupied by early-season crops? You can direct-seed now for harvest in September or October. Some favorites to seed in mid-July are cabbage, collards, endive, green onions, New Zealand spinach, bush beans, cucumber, cauliflower, snow peas and summer squash. Crops that can be seeded until late July to early August are Chinese cabbage, small carrots, broccoli, kale, turnips, turnip greens and beets. Recommended for seeding early to mid-August are leaf lettuce, mustard greens, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard and turnip greens. Garden centers will also carry some starts of cool season plants by mid-August.
Based on the first frost date (roughly Oct. 15 in our area), check the seed packets for planting-to-harvest dates to see if there is time for a second crop of your favorite vegetables. Later in the season, if frost is predicted, cover plants with floating row cover, an inexpensive, reusable fabric that gives plants several degrees of protection.
Growing your own food is immensely satisfying. It connects us to the earth, and we all know that gardening is good for you. And what could be fresher, tastier and better than food right from your own garden?
Martha Kirk is an Arapahoe County Colorado master gardener. Contributing to this column were Judy Kunz and Kathi Thistlethwaite.