Loveland, CO Vegetable Planting Calendar

What to plant now in Loveland

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 10, 50% risk), balanced = May 15 (30%), safe = May 22 (10%). For hardy crops the cell shows the CSU “as early as” window.

Frost odds aren't the only check. CSU recommends measuring soil temperature at 4 inches (6 inches for beans) before you sow. NOAA doesn't publish soil-temperature normals, so we list each crop's minimum soil temperature from CSU instead of a date.

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 Loveland

What to plant in Loveland in February

• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Feb 27 – Mar 13)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Feb 27 – Mar 13)

What to plant in Loveland in March

• Start cauliflower seeds indoors (Mar 13–27)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Mar 27 – Apr 17)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors (Feb 27 – Mar 13)
• Start cabbage seeds indoors (Feb 27 – Mar 13)

What to plant in Loveland in April

• Start pepper seeds indoors (Apr 3–17)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Start eggplant seeds indoors (Mar 27 – Apr 17)

What to plant in Loveland in May

• Start cabbage seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 6–20)
• Start tomato seeds indoors (May 9–23)
• Beans (snap): direct sow outdoors (May 10–22)
• Summer squash: direct sow outdoors (May 10–22)
• Sweet corn: direct sow outdoors (May 10–22)
• Cucumbers: direct sow outdoors (May 10–22)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 26 – Jun 9)
• Onions (dry, from sets): plant sets outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Peas: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Lettuce (leaf): direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Broccoli: transplant outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Cabbage: transplant outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Kohlrabi: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Green onions: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Radishes: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Spinach: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Turnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 12 – May 8)
• Potatoes: plant (seed pieces) outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Carrots: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Cauliflower: transplant outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Beets: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Swiss chard: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)
• Parsnips: direct sow outdoors (Apr 26 – May 22)

What to plant in Loveland in June

• Last day to set out cabbage transplants for a fall harvest (by Jun 24)
• Tomatoes: transplant outdoors (Jun 27)
• Peppers: transplant outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Eggplant: transplant outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Cantaloupe: direct sow outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Watermelon: direct sow outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Winter squash: direct sow outdoors (May 24 – Jun 5)
• Start broccoli seeds indoors for a fall crop (May 26 – Jun 9)

What to plant in Loveland in July

• Last day to sow beans (snap) for a fall harvest (by Jul 5)
• Last day to sow carrots for a fall harvest (by Jul 9)
• Last day to sow cucumbers for a fall harvest (by Jul 10)
• Last day to sow peas for a fall harvest (by Jul 14)
• Last day to set out broccoli transplants for a fall harvest (by Jul 14)
• Last day to sow summer squash for a fall harvest (by Jul 15)
• Last day to sow lettuce (leaf) for a fall harvest (by Jul 19)
• Last day to sow green onions for a fall harvest (by Jul 19)
• Last day to sow beets for a fall harvest (by Jul 19)
• Last day to sow swiss chard for a fall harvest (by Jul 19)
• Last day to sow kohlrabi for a fall harvest (by Jul 29)
• Last day to sow turnips for a fall harvest (by Jul 29)

What to plant in Loveland in August

• Last day to sow spinach for a fall harvest (by Aug 8)
• Last day to sow radishes for a fall harvest (by Aug 18)

What to plant in Loveland in October

• Plant garlic cloves (Oct 1–14)

Crop-by-crop notes

When to plant tomatoes in Loveland

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 Loveland, the frost rule alone would allow about May 24, but the average nightly low at Loveland 2 N isn't above 52°F until Jun 27, so the night rule sets the date at every risk level: about Jun 27. Start seeds indoors May 9–23, 5–7 weeks before transplanting on Jun 27. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Loveland 2 N reaches 55°F on Jul 12. Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, tomato plants set out on Jun 27 would start producing around Aug 31. That's 31 days before the typical first frost (Oct 1).

When to plant peppers in Loveland

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts peppers outside around May 24 (typical date), May 29 (balanced) or Jun 5 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Apr 3–17, 6–8 weeks ahead of transplanting on May 29. Fruit set suffers when nights drop below 55°F (CSU). The normal low at Loveland 2 N reaches 55°F on Jul 12. Set out on May 29, pepper plants would start producing around Aug 7, based on CSU's typical 70 days from transplant to harvest. That leaves 55 days before the typical first frost (Oct 1).

When to plant potatoes in Loveland

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 Loveland, that's roughly Apr 26 – May 10 going by the typical date, or May 8–22 going by the safer date.

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

Hardy crop. Per CSU, onions (dry, from sets) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Loveland, that works out to roughly Apr 12–26 (typical date) or Apr 24 – May 8 (safer date).

When to plant peas in Loveland

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 Loveland, that's roughly Apr 12–26 going by the typical date, or Apr 24 – May 8 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Jul 14 (Jun 28 to be safe), which is 79 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant lettuce (leaf) in Loveland

Hardy crop. Per CSU, lettuce (leaf) can be planted as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost, as long as the soil is workable and at least 35°F. For Loveland, that works out to roughly Apr 12–26 (typical date) or Apr 24 – May 8 (safer date). For a fall crop, sow by Jul 19, or by Jul 3 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant carrots in Loveland

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says carrots can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Loveland, that's roughly Apr 26 – May 10 going by the typical date, or May 8–22 going by the safer date. For fall, count back 84 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Jul 9, or by Jun 23 to be safe.

When to plant beans (snap) in Loveland

Tender crop. Sow beans (snap) around the average last frost, per CSU: about May 10 in Loveland. Waiting until May 22 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 5 (Jun 19 to be safe), which is 88 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant summer squash in Loveland

Tender crop. CSU says to sow summer squash around the average last frost, about May 10 in Loveland. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 22. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 78 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Jul 15, or by Jun 29 to be safe.

When to plant broccoli in Loveland

Hardy crop. Per CSU, broccoli 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 Loveland, that works out to roughly Apr 12–26 (typical date) or Apr 24 – May 8 (safer date). Using CSU's typical 65 days from transplant to harvest, broccoli plants set out on Apr 17 would start producing around Jun 21. That's 102 days before the typical first frost (Oct 1). For a fall harvest of broccoli, get transplants in the ground by Jul 14 (UNL Extension count-back from the typical first frost, Oct 1, with CSU's 65 days from transplant to harvest). To raise your own, sow seeds May 26 – Jun 9, 5–7 weeks ahead (CSU).

When to plant cabbage in Loveland

Hardy crop. CSU says cabbage 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 Loveland, that's roughly Apr 12–26 going by the typical date, or Apr 24 – May 8 going by the safer date. CSU's typical time from transplant to harvest for cabbage plants is 85 days. Set out on Apr 17, they would start producing around Jul 11, 82 days before the typical first frost (Oct 1). Fall cabbage: set transplants out by Jun 24. The date counts back from the typical first frost (Oct 1) by UNL Extension's method, using CSU's 85 days from transplant to harvest. Home-grown transplants need seeds started May 6–20 (CSU: 5–7 weeks).

When to plant cauliflower in Loveland

Semi-hardy crop. CSU allows planting cauliflower as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil at 40°F or warmer. For Loveland, that's roughly Apr 26 – May 10 by the typical date or May 8–22 by the safer date.

When to plant kohlrabi in Loveland

Hardy crop. CSU says kohlrabi can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 12–26 in Loveland using the typical date, or Apr 24 – May 8 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 29, or by Jul 13 to be safe. That's 64 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant green onions in Loveland

Hardy crop. CSU says green onions can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 12–26 in Loveland using the typical date, or Apr 24 – May 8 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 35°F. For fall, count back 74 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Jul 19, or by Jul 3 to be safe.

When to plant radishes in Loveland

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 Loveland, that's roughly Apr 12–26 going by the typical date, or Apr 24 – May 8 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Aug 18, or by Aug 2 to be safe. That's 44 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant spinach in Loveland

Hardy crop. CSU says spinach can go in as early as 2–4 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 12–26 in Loveland using the typical date, or Apr 24 – May 8 using the safer one. Wait until the soil can be worked and is at least 40°F. For fall, sow by Aug 8 (Jul 23 to be safe), which is 54 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant turnips in Loveland

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 Loveland, that works out to roughly Apr 12–26 (typical date) or Apr 24 – May 8 (safer date). For fall, sow by Jul 29 (Jul 13 to be safe), which is 64 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant beets in Loveland

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 Loveland, that's roughly Apr 26 – May 10 going by the typical date, or May 8–22 going by the safer date. For fall, sow by Jul 19 (Jul 3 to be safe), which is 74 days before the first-frost date.

When to plant swiss chard in Loveland

Semi-hardy crop. CSU says swiss chard can be planted as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost, in soil of at least 40°F. In Loveland, that's roughly Apr 26 – May 10 going by the typical date, or May 8–22 going by the safer date. For a fall crop, sow by Jul 19, or by Jul 3 to be safe. That's 74 days back from the first-frost date.

When to plant parsnips in Loveland

Semi-hardy crop. Per CSU, parsnips can go in as early as 0–2 weeks before the average last frost: roughly Apr 26 – May 10 in Loveland (typical date) or May 8–22 (safer date). The soil should be at least 35°F.

When to plant sweet corn in Loveland

Tender crop. CSU says to sow sweet corn around the average last frost, about May 10 in Loveland. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 22. Seeds need soil of at least 50°F.

When to plant cucumbers in Loveland

Tender crop. CSU says to sow cucumbers around the average last frost, about May 10 in Loveland. If you want only a 1-in-10 chance of a later 32°F night, wait until May 22. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F. For fall, count back 83 days from the first-frost date. That means sowing by Jul 10, or by Jun 24 to be safe.

When to plant eggplant in Loveland

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is 2+ weeks after the average last frost, which puts eggplant outside around May 24 (typical date), May 29 (balanced) or Jun 5 (safer 10% date). Start seeds indoors Mar 27 – Apr 17, 6–9 weeks ahead of transplanting on May 29. Using CSU's typical 60 days from transplant to harvest, eggplant plants set out on May 29 would start producing around Jul 28. That's 65 days before the typical first frost (Oct 1).

When to plant cantaloupe in Loveland

Very tender crop. Following CSU Extension's rule of 2+ weeks after the average last frost, plant cantaloupe around May 24 at the earliest, May 29 as a balanced choice, or Jun 5 to be safe. CSU's minimum soil temperature is 60°F.

When to plant watermelon in Loveland

Very tender crop. CSU Extension's rule is to plant watermelon at least 2 weeks after the average last frost. That's about May 24 using the typical date, May 29 as a balanced choice, or Jun 5 if you go by the safer 10% date. Seeds need soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant winter squash in Loveland

Very tender crop. CSU Extension says to plant winter squash 2+ weeks after the average last frost: about May 24 (typical date), May 29 (balanced) or Jun 5 (safer 10% date). Wait for soil of at least 60°F.

When to plant garlic in Loveland

For garlic, CSU Extension's Colorado guidance gives a fixed statewide window: early October, before October 15 (Oct 1–14). It isn't computed from frost data. At Loveland 2 N, the typical first 28°F hard freeze (Oct 10) arrives by the window's last day.

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 Loveland?

Start tomatoes May 9–23 and peppers Apr 3–17. Both dates count back from a balanced (30%-risk) transplant date using CSU's transplant ages.

When should I plant tomatoes outside in Loveland?

About Jun 27 at every risk level, because the night rule decides it. CSU wants nights above 52°F at transplant, and the average nightly low at Loveland 2 N first rises above 52°F on Jun 27. CSU's frost rule (2+ weeks after the average last frost) would allow about May 24 here.

What can I plant in Loveland in the fall?

These sowing deadlines count back from the typical first frost (Oct 1) using UNL Extension's method: peas by Jul 14; lettuce (leaf) by Jul 19; carrots by Jul 9; beans (snap) by Jul 5; summer squash by Jul 15; broccoli by Jul 14 (transplants); cabbage by Jun 24 (transplants); kohlrabi by Jul 29; green onions by Jul 19; radishes by Aug 18; spinach by Aug 8; turnips by Jul 29; beets by Jul 19; swiss chard by Jul 19; cucumbers by Jul 10. Plant garlic Oct 1–14.

When should I plant garlic in Loveland?

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

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