DENVER — May is a tricky month for gardening. Temperatures and conditions fluctuate. Monitor night temperatures, especially if you live in areas that are cooler. It's best to be cautious about planting some hot-season plants.
Last year I brought my coleus out too soon. They didn't freeze but chilly night temperatures stunted them. No amount of fertilizer could help and they were a disappointment. Coleus is native to the tropical Pacific island Fiji. It's never chilly there. Temperatures below 50 don't suit them.
If you live in a low-lying area or in the foothills, consider waiting a bit longer to plant heat-loving vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, beans and corn. Take care with tender ornamentals such as sweet potatoes, zinnias, marigolds and hibiscus.
Don't be discouraged. There are plenty of things that it's safe to plant. My friends helped me plant my signature petunia bowls that top the brick columns that define my borders. We only used two plants per bowl because 'Bubblegum' petunias are monsters. We pinched the growth tips to encourage them to put out more stems. They'll fill in quickly.
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