Wednesday Wisdom: What Grows Best in Fruita? From Seed to Supper
Did you know you have your own garden box as a homeowner in Korima? Compare tomatoes with your neighbor and see which is bigger or make new connections by sharing your abundant harvest. These garden boxes are a great way to experience community and in this blog, we’re explaining how you can best use your green thumb.
A home grown tomato versus a store bought tomato can taste vastly different. With homegrown vegetables, you know what pesticides or chemicals are put on your plant because you’re in control!
Why a Garden Box?
A garden box is an elevated bed of enclosed soil that is known for improving soil drainage, soil quality, and pest management. There are numerous hidden benefits of garden boxes which you can check out our detailed blog explaining them: https://www.livefruita.com/gardening.
What plants can you plant in Fruita?
What you don’t want to do is go through the trouble of planting a plant to only have it die a week later because of the heat. It’s important to know your climate, and if this is your first time living in Fruita, we have some recommendations.
Warm-season crops:
- tomatoes
- peppers
- zucchini
- cucumbers
Cool-season crops:
- lettuce
- spinach
- radishes
- kale
When to Plant
Planting Times in the Spring (April-May):
Asparagus, Basil, Bell Peppers*, Broccoli*, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Carrots*, Cauliflower*, Celery*, Cucumbers*, Eggplants*, Honeydew Melons*, Jalapenos, Onions*, Potatoes*, Pumpkins, Tomatoes*, Watermelons*.
*means the last planting date is around July so they can still be planted!
Planting in the Fall (July-Aug):
Beets, Broccoli, Carrots, Cauliflower, Kale, Lettuce, Radishes, Spinach, Garlic (from Oct-Nov), Bok Choy, Arugula
Visit this website if you want to see a list of 69 crops and their best planting date in Fruita: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/CO/Fruita
Fun fact: The elevation of the Grand Valley, ~4,500 ft., makes the produce taste significantly better. Warm days and cool nights create dramatic temperature swings that intensifies the flavor of the produce. The warm days help with sugar production and the cool nights help preserve acidity and sugar. This is the primary reason as to why the apples, peaches, grapes, cherries, corn, and peppers are so popular.
Planting in Your Garden Box
Now that you know what to plant, it’s time to get them started. Here are some tips to keep in mind when you're planting in your box.
Layout Planning:
Map out where each plant will go and consider how large the plant is. Group taller plants (like tomatoes) on the north side of the box to prevent shade on shorter plants (like radishes)
A common strategy in Fruita is:
- North side: Tomatoes, pole beans, trellised cucumbers
- Middle: Peppers, bush beans, chard
- South side: Carrots, onions, herbs
- Partially shaded spots: Lettuce and spinach during the hottest months
Planting Strategy
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Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the root ball. Gently remove the plant from its container, if the roots are tightly packed, loosen them slightly with your fingers to encourage outward growth.
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Place them in the ground, and fill the hole, gently pressing it around the base to provide stability. Once planted, water thoroughly to help the soil settle around the roots.
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Applying a layer of mulch is also recommended to help retain moisture and regulate the soil temperature. This can be done with wood chips, straw, shredded leaves, or compost.
In Korima’s gardening area, we provide hoses and spigots so you can make sure your plants get watered.