Vegetable Growing In Colorado 
«£y ji. JWcGINTY 
In the days of the eary settlers, it was thought that many veg¬ 
etables which grew to perfection in other parts of the country would 
not grow well in Colorado, on account of the high altitude. But 
we have gradually learned by experience that the larger number of 
our cultivated vegetables can be produced in as high a state of per¬ 
fection in Colorado as elsewhere. Many vegetables, as cabbage, 
celery, onions, peas, and tomatoes, to say nothing of potatoes, are 
now grown commercially in this state. On account of the short 
season, it is often advisable and sometimes necessary to start plants 
having a long growing season in hotbeds or greenhouses, but the 
majority can be planted outside, in the ordinary way. 
Some vegetables, as tomatoes and egg plants, which cannot 
be grown profitably in some sections for market, may well be grown 
in the home garden for the family table. They may require extra 
care, but the satisfaction of having fresh homegrown products 
rather than other kinds, together with their economic value, makes 
the home garden worth while. 
The Experiment Station is constantly receiving inquiries as 
to the method of culture for different vegetables, indicating a gen¬ 
eral demand for more information on the subject. It is with the 
idea of giving this information that this publication is issued. 
Soil .—The soil for general vegetable growing should be a 
rich, friable, well drained loam. One containing some sand is de¬ 
sirable, since such soils warm up earlier in the spring. However, 
much heavier soils may often be modified by the addition of stable 
manure and the turning under of green crops so that they will 
serve. A southern or eastern slope is preferable. 
Preparation of the Soil .—The ground should be plowed to a 
depth of ten or twelve inches in the fall and left in a rough state 
during the winter. Cross-plow again early in the spring and har¬ 
row smooth. 
Fertilisers .—Many of the Colorado soils are deficient in or¬ 
ganic matter, so that the best fertilizer is well rotted stable manure. 
This should be applied before plowing in the fall at the rate of 20 
to 30 tons per acre. The turning under of green crops is also 
advisable. j .c . . 
