One of our favorite things about Boulder is its plethora of community garden space. Each spring, as the snow begins to melt off the mountains and the rivers gather momentum, our community gardens beckon for new vegetables and fruits to fill their beds. At Habitat Apartments in Boulder, we offer our own community garden space for residents to try their hand at living off the land. Here are some of the best plants to sow in a community garden.

Lettuces

This is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Lettuces are cold hardy up to certain temperatures and can be planted immediately after the last frost. Heads grow quickly and offer lettuce leaves in as little as 40 days. Lettuces make a great community garden addition because salads are an ever-popular summertime entrée and lettuce can be utilized in a variety of recipes. Leaf lettuces can be harvested throughout its growing period by clipping fully-formed leaves off the plant while letting baby leaves continue to flourish. Heads of lettuce can be harvested at the base and new seedlings can be planted.

Snow Peas

Edible right off the vine, snow peas are a fantastic addition to community plots because they encourage kids to get excited about gardening. This climbing vegetable doesn’t take up much space if trellises or ropes are provided for the plant to stretch out on. The more snow peas are harvested, the more the plant produces — pick away!

Kale

The leafy green beauty can withstand temperatures as low as 20 degrees. With this crazy Colorado weather, you don’t have to hold off until the last frost to ensure the plant’s survival; it’s easy to grow and requires little care. In the summer, plant kale in partial shade to encourage water retention. This dark green veggie adds plenty of antioxidants to salads, smoothies, and stir-fries.

Zucchini

Any Colorado gardener knows that this plant usually overproduces. Zucchini thrives in our state’s summer climate and can be known to double in size within just a few days. Pick the zucchini when they reach about 8 – 10 inches to ensure they don’t become too fibrous and tough. If you’ve blinked and they grew longer than a foot, shred the veggie and use it in breads, muffins, and cakes.

Herbs

One of the most forgotten recipe items and one of the hardest to keep fresh for long in the fridge, herbs are a chef’s best friend. Mint, basil, and rosemary make fragrant additions to any community garden while parsley and oregano are easy to grow and add flavor to Italian dishes. If the community garden has a little space left over, plant herbs, as they don’t take up much room and won’t overcrowd other vegetables. Habitat Apartments in Boulder provides residents convenient access to Boulder’s bustling downtown and its beautiful mountain terrain. Our apartment rentals offer natural spaces where residents can enjoy warm Colorado summer nights under the stars. Contact us today and schedule a showing of our affordable, spacious apartments.