Squashes, Beans, Sunflowers
PLANTING DATES
LATE APRIL (Indoor Start) | MID-LATE MAY (Outdoor Start)
Squash are not able to survive frost or cold weather under 50 degrees Fahrenheit. For this reason, it’s best to start them indoors between 4-6 weeks before average last frost (March 4th). A good rule of thumb is when there hasn’t been a frost for two weeks, you are SAFE to plant your squash outside in Colorado!
Squashes, Beans, and Sunflowers can also be direct seeded into your garden in late May, in Colorado, assuming the ground can be worked.
APRIL (START INDOORS)
These can also be started indoors in early April and then transplanted into the garden come late May.
LATE MAY (PLANT OUTDOORS)
In late May, identify a sunny spot where they’ll be planted outdoors or in a cold-frame. Make sure to remove weeds, adequately till the soil, and add any required nutrients (NPK) or amendments (compost). This creates a healthy environment for your veggies to thrive.
Around late May you can go ahead and transplant these into the ground where they’ll live.
SOIL
The Big Three. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (NPK) known as "primary nutrients," are the three main ingredients in most fertilizers, along with necessary trace minerals such as magnesium, and are vital to tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Plant growth and chlorophyll production depend on nitrogen, and phosphorus helping these plants grow and cope with stress while aiding in energy production.
WATER
Ample water from drip will produce healthy happy plants with adequate yield.
LIGHT
Identify a sunny spot where they’ll be planted outdoors. These require at least 4-5 hours of sun per day for decent production. Spinach, Chard, Kale, and Broccoli will do OK in partial sun, but you'll have to wait longer for a full crop and they may be more susceptible to pests. The more light you have, the faster they'll mature and the healthier their immune system will be.
