Lakewood, CO Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Lakewood

In October:

• Plant garlic cloves (Oct 1–14)

The list above is for the month this page was built; the box is refreshed in your browser for today's date.

Spring planting dates

“Plant out” means transplanting for crops started indoors and sowing or planting directly in the garden for the others. Each column applies CSU Extension's timing rule to a different last-frost anchor: aggressive = typical date (May 3, 50% risk), balanced = May 8 (30%), safe = May 18 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

A soil thermometer helps here. CSU recommends checking soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before sowing. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so instead of a date, each crop shows CSU's minimum soil temperature.

Fall planting dates

Latest dates for a fall harvest, using the University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension count-back formula: days to harvest (CSU) + 14-day fall factor + 14-day frost-tender factor for frost-sensitive crops, counted back from the first-frost date. For transplanted crops (CSU days are from transplant) the result is the latest transplant date; seeds go in CSU's transplant-age weeks earlier. We add no harvest period, so these dates give you a first harvest by the first frost, not a long harvest.

Month-by-month: what to plant in Lakewood

What to plant in Lakewood in February

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6)

What to plant in Lakewood in March

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Mar 6–20)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Mar 20 – Apr 10)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Mar 27 – Apr 10)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Feb 20 – Mar 6)

What to plant in Lakewood in April

• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Apr 23 – May 7)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Mar 20 – Apr 10)
• Start pepper seeds indoors (Mar 27 – Apr 10)

What to plant in Lakewood in May

• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (May 3–18)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (May 3–18)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (May 3–18)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (May 3–18)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 12–26)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 5 – May 4)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 19 – May 18)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (Apr 23 – May 7)

What to plant in Lakewood in June

• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (Jun 1–15)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Jun 11)
• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jun 30)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (May 17 – Jun 1)

What to plant in Lakewood in July

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Jul 11)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Jul 15)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Jul 16)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Jul 20)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 20)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Jul 21)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Jul 25)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Jul 25)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Jul 25)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Jul 25)

What to plant in Lakewood in August

• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Aug 4)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Aug 4)
• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Aug 14)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Aug 24)

What to plant in Lakewood in October

• Plant garlic cloves (Oct 1–14)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Lakewood

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rules are to set tomatoes out at least 2 weeks after the average last frost and only once nights are above 52°F. In Lakewood, the frost rule alone would allow about May 17, but the average nightly low at Lakewood isn't above 52°F until Jun 11, so the night rule sets the date at every risk level: about Jun 11. Start seeds indoors Apr 23 – May 7, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Jun 11. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Lakewood reaches 55°F on Jun 21. Set out on Jun 11, tomato plants would start producing around Aug 15, based on CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 53 days before the typical first frost (Oct 7).

When to plant peppers in Lakewood

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around May 17 (typical date), May 22 (balanced) or Jun 1 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Mar 27 – Apr 10, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on May 22. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Lakewood reaches 55°F on Jun 21. Using CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest, pepper plants set out on May 22 would start producing around Jul 31. That's 68 days before the typical first frost (Oct 7).

When to plant potatoes in Lakewood

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says potatoes can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 45°F. In Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 19 – May 3 going by the typical date, or May 4–18 going by the safer date.

When to plant onions (dry, from sets) in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says onions (dry, from sets) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 5–19 in Lakewood using the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F.

When to plant peas in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says peas can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 5–19 going by the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 20, or by Jul 7 to be safe. That's 79 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says lettuce (leaf) can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. In Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 5–19 going by the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 25, or by Jul 12 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Lakewood

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, carrots can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 19 – May 3 in Lakewood (typical date) or May 4–18 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Jul 15, or by Jul 2 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Lakewood

Tender crop. Sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, per CSU: about May 3 in Lakewood. Waiting until May 18 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 55°F. For fall, sow by Jul 11 (Jun 28 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Lakewood

Tender crop. CSU's timing for summer squash is around the average last frost, which is about May 3 in Lakewood. For only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, hold off until May 18. Seeds want soil at 60°F or warmer. For fall, sow by Jul 21 (Jul 8 to be safe), which is 78 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant broccoli in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says broccoli can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 5–19 going by the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 going by the safer date. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, broccoli plants set out on Apr 10 would start producing around Jun 14. That's 115 days before the typical first frost (Oct 7). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Jul 20 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Oct 7, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds Jun 1–15, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 5–19 in Lakewood using the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. Using CSU's typical 85 days from transplant to harvest, cabbage plants set out on Apr 10 would start producing around Jul 4. That's 95 days before the typical first frost (Oct 7). For a fall harvest of cabbage, get transplants in the ground by Jun 30 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Oct 7, with CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds May 12–26, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cauliflower in Lakewood

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, cauliflower can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 19 – May 3 in Lakewood (typical date) or May 4–18 (safer date). The soil should be at least 40°F.

When to plant kohlrabi in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 5–19 going by the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 4, or by Jul 22 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 5–19 in Lakewood using the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 25, or by Jul 12 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant radishes in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says radishes can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, once the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. In Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 5–19 going by the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Aug 24 (Aug 11 to be safe), which is 44 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Lakewood

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 5–19 in Lakewood using the typical date, or Apr 20 – May 4 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 14, or by Aug 1 to be safe. That's 54 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Lakewood

Hardy crop. Per CSU, turnips can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 40°F. For Lakewood, that works out to roughly Apr 5–19 (typical date) or Apr 20 – May 4 (safer date). For fall, count back 64 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Aug 4, or by Jul 22 to be safe.

When to plant beets in Lakewood

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says beets can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 19 – May 3 going by the typical date, or May 4–18 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 25, or by Jul 12 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Lakewood

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting swiss chard as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 19 – May 3 by the typical date or May 4–18 by the safer date. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Jul 25, or by Jul 12 to be safe.

When to plant parsnips in Lakewood

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting parsnips as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 35°F or warmer. For Lakewood, that's roughly Apr 19 – May 3 by the typical date or May 4–18 by the safer date.

When to plant sweet corn in Lakewood

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about May 3 in Lakewood. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 18. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Lakewood

Tender crop. Sow cucumbers around the average last frost, per CSU: about May 3 in Lakewood. Waiting until May 18 cuts the chance of a later 32°F night to 1 in 10. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 16, or by Jul 3 to be safe. That's 83 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant eggplant in Lakewood

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts eggplant outside around May 17 (typical date), May 22 (balanced) or Jun 1 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Mar 20 – Apr 10, 6–9 weeks ahead of transplanting on May 22. Using CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest, eggplant plants set out on May 22 would start producing around Jul 21. That's 78 days before the typical first frost (Oct 7).

When to plant cantaloupe in Lakewood

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant cantaloupe around May 17 at the earliest, May 22 as a balanced choice, or Jun 1 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Lakewood

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about May 17 using the typical date, May 22 as a balanced choice, or Jun 1 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Lakewood

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant winter squash 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about May 17 (typical date), May 22 (balanced) or Jun 1 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant garlic in Lakewood

CSU Extension's Colorado guidance is to plant garlic in early October, before October 15 (Oct 1–14). That's a fixed statewide window, not one computed from frost data. At Lakewood, the typical first hard freeze (28°F) is Oct 16, 2 days after the window ends.

How these dates are calculated

CSU states its spring rules relative to “the average last spring frost.” We use the 50% date as that average and also show the 30% and 10% anchors. See the methodology for details and limitations.

FAQ

When should I start seeds indoors in Lakewood?

Start tomatoes Apr 23 – May 7 and peppers Mar 27 – Apr 10. Both dates count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Lakewood?

About Jun 11 at every risk level, because the night rule decides it. CSU wants nights above 52°F at transplant, and the average nightly low at Lakewood first rises above 52°F on Jun 11. CSU's frost rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost) would allow about May 17 here.

What can I plant in Lakewood in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Oct 7) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Jul 20; lettuce (leaf) by Jul 25; carrots by Jul 15; beans (snap) by Jul 11; summer squash by Jul 21; broccoli by Jul 20 (transplants); cabbage by Jun 30 (transplants); kohlrabi by Aug 4; green onions by Jul 25; radishes by Aug 24; spinach by Aug 14; turnips by Aug 4; beets by Jul 25; swiss chard by Jul 25; cucumbers by Jul 16. Plant garlic Oct 1–14.

When should I plant garlic in Lakewood?

In early October, before October 15 (Oct 1–14), per CSU Extension's Colorado guidance.

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