Late February / early March Updates
It’s snowing out there!
It’s the end of February and we’re gearing up for the 2025 gardening season. We’ve got our garden plans in place, seedlings are germinating down in the basement, and we’re dreaming of warmer days as we broke a record low February temperature just last night.
What’s growing?
We start our seeds much earlier than a lot of folks because we have the time, space, and patience to deal with potting things up and hauling them around for months. If you have not started seeds yet, do not fret, there is plenty of time. We typically start things early because in our experience, we get earlier yields when planting out more mature plants, but we encourage everyone to find what works best for you!
Seeds we have started in mid/late February:
Cabbage
Asian Greens (tatsoi, bok choy, komatsuna, etc.)
Celery
Chard
Peppers
Eggplant
Cilantro
Onions
Shallots
Leeks
Snapdragons
Chrysanthemums
Seeds we will start in early / mid March
Tomatoes (indoors)
Herbs - Bee Balm, Mint, Thyme, Basil, Parsley (indoors)
Lettuce (indoors, though you can also direct sow in April; we’ll succession plant)
Spinach - (direct sow mid March)
Peas (direct sow mid March)
Fava Beans (direct sow mid March)
Cilantro (direct sow mid March)
February / March To-Dos
Winter is not a very busy time in the Denver garden, but there are a few things we do in late February / early March to prepare.
Water garlic and perennials - both benefit from some additional water during drier spells in the wintertime
Prune fruit trees - late winter is the correct time to prune fruit trees. We’ll typically prune in early March when the daytime weather is in the 50s
Prepare garden beds - we’re adding some additional garden beds to our space this year; we will begin assembling and filling those as the weather allows
Start seeds - see above!
Study - winter is a great time to learn. T is currently reading Teaming with Microbes by Jeff Lowenfels; we’ve read this book a few times and it’s been clutch in understanding the soil microbiome and how to ensure the healthiest possible soil. I’m reading Botany for Gardeners by Brian Capon; it’s been fun to delve into the science behind how wood forms among other things. Winter and early spring are a great time to take gardening classes as well; there is a list of upcoming late Feb / early March classes linked below.
Peruse new recipes - winter is when we actually have the time to open our cookbooks and try new things. We’re really enjoying working our way through Meera Sodha’s cookbook East; the warming flavors have been a welcome companion to the frigid days we’ve been having. When we find tasty recipes that use a glut of something, we bookmark them so that we have them on hand during the summertime. Cookbooks also make for great gardening inspo for us; if we find a recipe we really love, we will do our best to grow the ingredients ourselves.
Local Events and Classes
Many of these events and classes are free or offer scholarships or stipends for folks if needed. If you know of any we missed, please let us know!
2/23 Winter Sowing Class @ The Table Urban Farm
3/1- Fruit Tree Pruning Class - @ Barnum Community Garden by Denver Urban Gardens
3/1 This Herb’s for You Class @Echter’s - learn about growing herbs in CO
3/1 Seed Saving 101 w/ Frontline Farming
3/1 Roots Medicine Gardens Seed Swap at Hearth and Seoul
3/1 Starting Plants from Seed Class @Echter’s
3/2 Seed Swap with Roots Medicine Gardens at Bar Max
3/2 Vegetable Gardening 101 @Echter’s
3/2 Fruit Tree Pruning @Echter’s
3/6 - Front Range Herbal Seed Library pop up - stop by for locally adapted herb seeds
3/8 The Secret Life of Soil + Growing Dahlias Classes @ Echter’s
3/9 Small Space Gardening @ Echter’s
3/10 Planning Your Garden - Denver Urban Gardens
