High-elevation gardening is tricky, but some plants actually thrive there. Here are 15 plants that do well in high-altitude landscapes.

Pride of the Pantry Plots community garden in Cascade, Idaho, at an elevation of 4,760 feet above sea level. The community garden includes 40 raised beds with low tunnel hoop frames that was constructed at the food pantry to grow fresh local food in a high elevation environment. |

A fellow gardener wrote to me wondering if I knew of any vegetables that will grow in high altitudes. Well, let's see. For starters there's Beans, Beets, Carrots, Corn, Cucumbers, Lettuce, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Tomatoes... Surprised? All of these yummy veggies will grow at high altitudes. Just give 'em a little TLC plus O.F. (organic fertilizer!) AND! Time your garden differently. * The heartache of a Memorial Day frost is pretty much guaranteed at altitudes of 6,000 feet or higher. Garden shops advise April/May planting for vegetables and that's why we feel left out. * We mountain gardeners need to plant on June 1st and expect a later harvest. * May nights are too cold for little seedlings. Mature plants are much tougher. They can handle cool night temperatures in September. Get creative. Most quality seed shops offer cold-hardy and fast-growing varieties. You won't find see this produce at grocery store and the names might not be familiar... But, there are many varieties of tomatoes that mature in less than 60 days. (Thank the hybridizing experts in Russia and Canada for these breakthroughs.) Plant favorite veggies with a 90-day growing cycle. Experiment with root vegetables that mature in 120 days. The soils stays warm, protecting potatoes. Raised beds help a great deal. Soil warms faster in the spring, helping seeds to sprout quicker. With raised beds, you can easily amend the soil. Veggies need lots of soil nutrients to produce a good harvest and mountain soil is generally short on what's needed. Good Veggie Choices for High Altitude Gardens Bush and Pole Beans = 60 days Beets = 50-70 days Carrots = 90 days Sweet Corn = 60 - 90 days Cucumbers = 90 days Lettuce = 70-90 days Peas = 60 days Potatoes = 90 - 120 days Radishes = 30 days Spinach = 45 - 90 days Tomatoes* = 55 - 90 days * Popular Beefsteak Tomatoes grow too slow but other varieties do very well. 90-day growth cycle or shorter: Alaskan Fancy, Aztec, Orange Blossom, Health Kick Hybrid, Abraham Lincoln Heirloom, Russian Heirloom.. and many more. Become friends with the folks at the Good Seed Company. They test their organic seeds on the Canadian border and they know what grows!

Vegetable gardening can be incredibly rewarding, but can be a little tricky if your garden is at a slightly higher elevation than the typical garden. If you’re at a high ...

High altitude wine really does stand out. Find out what makes these grapes different and discover how they're healthier!

These outdoor plants are easy to grow and nurture into a beautiful, thriving landscape regardless of gardening experience and skill level.

Arabica vs Robusta vs Liberica: Compare flavor, caffeine, and growing regions of these coffee beans to discover the perfect choice for your taste.

Poha Berry, aka Goldenberry, Cape Gooseberry, or groundcherry is a small bushy perennial shrub from the nightshade family. It's native to South America, Chile, and Peru but is found and cultivated elsewhere for it's delicious and yummy orange fruit!  Poha Berry grows in a variety of conditions, thriving in high humidity or in high altitude areas, growing in marginal forest areas and riparian woodlands/jungles. It can be grown in temperate climates as an annual. The plant will fruit berries that grow in paper like 'calyx' which are thin skin-like outer coverings. These berries are delightfully vibrant orange! The fruit tastes tangy and sweet, like a mixture of pineapple and strawberry. It can be used to make jams, ice creams, alcohol, and other awesome edible curiosities! The orange is not deceiving! Poha berry is high in vitamin C and contains a good dose of beta-carotene the same phytochemical that gives carrots their orange flair. Poha Berry also contains thiamin and niacin (found often in energy drinks) and phytosterol compounds that help promote higher levels of energy and focus!

Dong Quai herb is a species of the Apiaceae family, which is native to China. Its botanical name is Angelica (female ginseng). It is mainly found in

High-elevation gardening is tricky, but some plants actually thrive there. Here are 15 plants that do well in high-altitude landscapes.

Remember when I shared with you about the High Altitude Kitchen Garden back in the winter? Let's take a tour shall we?

A guide to high altitude gardening, vegetable planting, cultivating and harvesting in the Rocky Mountains. Originally published as "High-Altitude Gardening" May/June 1975 MOTHER EARTH NEWS.

High-elevation gardening is tricky, but some plants actually thrive there. Here are 15 plants that do well in high-altitude landscapes.

Living in the mountains? High altitudes create unique challenges for gardening, so conquer them with some helpful hints.

High-elevation gardening is tricky, but some plants actually thrive there. Here are 15 plants that do well in high-altitude landscapes.

Natasha Pickowicz likes them rolled in sugar, frozen, and used as a topping for ice cream.

Vegetable gardening can be incredibly rewarding, but can be a little tricky if your garden is at a slightly higher elevation than the typical garden. If you’re at a high ...

The Lady’s Mantle Tea, which is called alchemilla vulgaris in Latin, is the only annual herbaceous plant grown at high altitudes especially in

High-elevation gardening is tricky, but some plants actually thrive there. Here are 15 plants that do well in high-altitude landscapes.

High-elevation gardening is tricky, but some plants actually thrive there. Here are 15 plants that do well in high-altitude landscapes.

While you may not get an overnight treatment, natural solutions can help prevent the condition. Among other options, essential oils are a worthy all-natural consideration to help you stay healthy while at high elevations.Before we delve into essential oils for altitude sickness, let’s discuss altitude sickness.

Adjust your Instant Pot recipes for high altitude with this printable conversion chart to guarantee Instant Pot success!

Gardening is meant to be a relaxing activity that connects you with nature as you beautify your yard—yet crowded nurseries and finicky flowers can make the hobby feel anything but. To save you from frustration, we rounded up the easiest plants to care for that you can buy on Amazon. All are carefully packaged potted plants, so you can skip long store lines and cultivating seeds. The next time you're stocking up on goods from Amazon add these foolproof plants to your shopping cart.

Growing fruits and vegetables in the mountains can be very successful… however, there are some guidelines and tips you will need to consider. The articles below will help you plan, plant, grow and harvest successful mountain produce. Mountain Vegetable Gardening Vegetable Gardening in the Mountains Gardening Strategies for Short-Season, High Altitude Zones Colorado Mountain Gardener […]

This is a terrific tip for anyone new to vegetable gardening. Have you failed at growing vegetables in high mountain terrain? Call me! We're destined to be great friends! :) All kidding aside, I was prompted to write this post after I overheard someone at the local nursery say... no, you can't grow veggies this high up in the mountains. I've tried, failed, and also had some good success. If I can do it, you can, too. Here are a few things I've learned along the way: Mountain growing seasons are very short so we gardeners need to get creative. √ The veggies we need to grow are rarely, if ever, featured in nurseries. So, it's easy to get the impression that vegetable gardening is not possible in the mountains. When I first started gardening, I began by searching online for Russian hybrid tomatoes. Why Russia? Well, if they can grow tomatoes in Siberia I imagine we can grow tomatoes anywhere ~ wouldn't you think? :) I've discovered that most every vegetable variety has a quick-growing cousin that reaches harvest in short order and tastes terrific. The key is to start with veggies that can handle our short growing seasons. Tips & Tricks: Time your garden differently. * The heartache of a Memorial Day frost is pretty much guaranteed at altitudes of 6,000 feet or higher. Nurseries advise April/May planting for vegetables and that's why we feel left out. Plant later. * Plant veggies in the soil on June 15th, or raised beds on June 1st - cover on an exceptionally cold night. The very best time to plant your veggies is the day after I do. (I'm pretty convinced that Mother Nature is lurking behind me, no matter what day I decide to plant, scheduling a late season freeze in my honor.) Raised Beds & Containers can improve your odds. Soil in raised beds warms faster and stays warmer during our cool nights. This is particularly important for tomatoes as they need to stay above 50 degrees in order to produce great fruit. With raised beds you can also easily amend the soil. Veggies need plenty of soil nutrients in order to produce a good harvest. Mountain soils are generally low on nutrients and - quite often - the dirt in our Park City yards is poor quality top soil trucked in after construction. Quick-Growing Heirloom Veggies that do well in mountain gardens: Bountiful Bush Bean - this easy-growing small vine bean reaches maturity in about 50 days. (Heirloom) Bull Nose Sweet Bell Pepper - a crisp, crunchy bell pepper bursting with delicious, earthy flavor. Matures in about 60 days. (Heirloom) Red Cored Chantenay Carrots - a sweet, tender variety, ready to harvest in 70 short days. (Heirloom) Four Seasons Head Lettuce - as beautiful as it is delicious, with colorful, reddish brown leaves. Matures in 45-55 days. (Heirloom) Brandywine Tomato - this yummy Amish heirloom has a neat habit of producing tomatoes that mature at different times, on the same vine, throughout the season. Matures in 80 days. (Heirloom) Cocozelle Bush Zucchini - has a fresh, nutty flavor that is particularly delicious when roasted on the grill. Matures in 55 days. (Heirloom) Boring but Helpful: When shopping for seeds, look for vegetables that mature in 70 - 80 days. (You might be surprised how many options you see!) Check the 'days to maturity' on the seed packet or planting guide. Harvest days are measured from transplant time. Allow an extra 10-15 days, if planting outdoors, by seed. Heirlooms are available in most vegetable varieties, not just tomatoes. These goodies are easier to grow and infinitely more flavorful than grocery store 'fresh' produce.

Where to buy and why its so special