Colorado gardeners are beginning to plant annual flowers, including petunias and marigolds, as spring weather stabilizes.
This seasonal shift is critical for local horticulture because the timing of the first planting determines the success of annual blooms. A late-season snow often delays the process, but current mild conditions have provided the confidence necessary to move plants outdoors.
Gardeners generally recognize the weekend of Mother's Day in mid-May [2] as the unofficial start to the gardening season. This window allows soil temperatures to rise sufficiently to support delicate annuals. In Denver, this activity is highlighted by the Proctor’s Garden Tour, which is scheduled for June 6-7 [1].
The transition to planting comes after a period of volatility. While some reports indicated that Denver gardeners were protecting existing plants from an approaching freeze, other data shows a shift toward active planting [1], [2]. The current trend suggests that the risk of severe frost has diminished enough for residents to introduce new flora into their landscapes.
Local gardening efforts focus on hardy annuals that can withstand the variable climate of the U.S. Mountain West. Petunias and marigolds are preferred choices due to their resilience and color. The mild spring weather following the late snow has created an ideal environment for these species to take root before the peak summer heat arrives [2].
As the season progresses, the Proctor’s Garden Tour will serve as a showcase for local gardening techniques and successful plant varieties in the Denver area [1]. This event coincides with the period when most residential gardens reach their initial growth phase.
“Colorado gardeners are beginning to plant annual flowers, including petunias and marigolds.”
The shift toward planting in mid-May reflects the precarious nature of Colorado's growing season, where a single late frost can reset the agricultural calendar. By anchoring the season to Mother's Day weekend and events like the Proctor's Garden Tour, gardeners use traditional markers to mitigate the risk of crop loss, balancing the desire for early blooms with the reality of unpredictable mountain weather.
