Gardening in Colorado can be challenging due to our dry climate, changing temperatures, clay soils, and periodic water restrictions. These resources were selected to help residents learn sustainable gardening practices, choose water-wise plants, support pollinators, and create beautiful landscapes that thrive in Colorado conditions. 

🌱 Getting Started with Colorado Gardening

• Colorado State University Extension Gardening Resources
  Probably the single best overall resource for Colorado gardening. Covers soil, vegetables, lawns, native plants, trees, pests, composting, and xeriscaping. Excellent science-based information.

• PlantTalk Colorado
  Easy-to-read gardening help specifically for Colorado climates and conditions. Great for beginners.

• Denver Botanic Gardens Water-Wise Resources
  Includes free landscape designs, seminars, and practical water-wise gardening guidance for Colorado and similar climates.

💧 Water-Wise & Xeriscape Gardening

• Denver Water Xeriscape Guide
  One of the best resources available for Colorado water-wise landscaping. Includes sample yard plans, plant groupings, and irrigation ideas.

• Denver Water Xeriscape Principles
  Excellent explanation of the 7 xeriscape principles including hydrozoning, mulch, irrigation, and soil prep.

• DIY Landscape Transformation Guide
  Step-by-step guide for converting lawns into water-wise landscapes. Very practical for homeowners.

• ColoradoScaping by Denver Water
  Focused on creating climate-resilient landscapes that use less water but still look attractive.

• Water Wise Plants Database
  Searchable database of Colorado-friendly low-water plants with filters for sun, height, flower type, and water needs.

🌼 Native Plants for Colorado

• Colorado Native Plant Society
  Great resource for native plants, habitat restoration, pollinator support, and Colorado ecosystems.

• WaterWise Native Plants by Region
  Downloadable guides by Colorado region showing native plants that thrive with low water use. Excellent for Front Range residents.

• Plant Select
  One of the best Colorado plant resources. Plant Select specializes in beautiful low-water plants proven to succeed in Colorado.

• Low-Water Native Plants for Colorado Gardens
  Regional booklets with plant lists and planning guidance for Front Range gardens.

• Denver Audubon Native Plant Resources
  Focuses on bird-friendly native plants and pollinator habitat.

🐝 Pollinator & Habitat Gardening

• 11 Native Plants for Denver Pollinators
  Good beginner-friendly list of Colorado native flowers that attract pollinators and thrive locally.

• Edible Native Plants for Colorado Front Range Landscapes
  Interesting resource for combining edible landscaping with native plant gardening.

🪴 Garden Planning & Education

• Landscape for Life – CSU Extension
  Sustainable landscape design courses and education for homeowners.

• Native Plant Master Program
  Educational program through Denver Botanic Gardens for learning Colorado native plant identification and ecology.

🪴 Beginner Composting Guides

Colorado State University Extension – Composting

One of the best overall composting guides for Colorado residents. Covers:

• How to start a compost pile

• Browns vs. greens

• Moisture and airflow

• Compost bins

• Troubleshooting smells and pests

Great science-based beginner resource.

PlantTalk Colorado – How to Make Compost

Simple, homeowner-friendly composting instructions from CSU Extension and PlantTalk Colorado. Excellent for beginners.

Arapahoe County Extension – Getting Started Composting

Very practical Colorado-specific advice including:

• Ideal compost amounts

• Soil improvement

• Compost use in gardens

• Avoiding over-amending Colorado clay soils

🍎 What CAN Go in Compost

Good “Green” Materials (Nitrogen)

These help compost heat up and decompose.

You CAN compost:

• Fruit & vegetable scraps

• Coffee grounds

• Tea leaves

• Eggshells

• Grass clippings

• Fresh garden trimmings

• Plant cuttings

Colorado composting guides consistently recommend balancing greens with browns.

Good “Brown” Materials (Carbon)

These provide airflow and structure.

You CAN compost:

• Dry leaves

• Straw

• Shredded cardboard

• Newspaper

• Paper towels (without chemicals)

• Small twigs

• Untreated sawdust

A good rule:

About 3 parts browns to 1 part greens.

🚫 What NOT to Compost

Avoid adding:

• Pet waste

• Meat and bones (for backyard piles)

• Dairy products

• Oils and grease

• Diseased plants

• Weeds with seeds

• Chemically treated wood

• Pesticide-treated plants

These can attract pests or spread disease.

💧 Composting Tips for Colorado

Colorado’s dry climate changes composting a bit compared to wetter states.

Important Colorado Tips:

• Keep pile damp like a wrung-out sponge

• Cover piles to retain moisture

• Turn compost regularly for airflow

• Shred materials smaller for faster breakdown

• Add extra water during hot summers

CSU notes that moisture and airflow are especially important in Colorado’s dry climate.

🌻 How to Use Finished Compost

Finished compost:

• Improves Colorado clay soil

• Helps soil hold water longer

• Adds nutrients naturally

• Improves root growth

• Reduces need for fertilizer

Can be used:

• In vegetable gardens

• Around flowers

• Mixed into raised beds

• As mulch

• In potting mixes

🐛 Fun Future Topics 

• Worm composting (vermicomposting) - Blue Heron Garden had two worm boxes

• Compost tumblers vs. piles

• Composting for kids

• School composting projects

• Pollinator-friendly compost use

• “Compost mistakes to avoid”

• Winter composting in Colorado

📺 Helpful Video Resource

How to Compost in Denver (Video)

Simple overview video explaining composting basics and why composting matters.