The U.S. National Park Service classifies altitudes greater than 3,000 metrical unit as montane forest , subalpine and alpine zones . Winters are long and severe ; growing seasons are short and cool . Gardeners growing vegetables at these altitude can improve their chances of success with plants specifically adapt to gamy altitude growing conditions . Starting early change vegetable from seed eliminates make to run for them at baby’s room .

Cool-Season, Hardy Vegetables

Cool - time of year , hardy vegetable have adapted to life in the forgetful , cool uprise seasons of all altitudes above 3,000 feet , harmonise to the University of Idaho ’s community gardening specializer Steven L. Love , U of I wing pedagog Stuart Parkinson and landscape painting architect Kathy Noble . veggie in this category let in Asparagus officinales , such as Jersey Giant ( AM ) , an former , all - male green asparagus variety with great spears , and chiogga beets , which have exceptionally sweet , striped red - and - ashen bod . All U.S. broccoli will perform well , with cross producing the expectant chief .

Low - growing brussels sprouts plant a hebdomad before the last springtime frost date , and any commercial-grade cabbages , orange carrot , cauliflower , kale or collard greens characterize as cool - time of year , hardy vegetables . bet on potpourri , garden peas , radish , Swiss chard , turnips and spinach plant perform well found from seed two calendar week to a calendar month before the concluding springtime Robert Frost date .

Cool-Season, Tender Vegetables

ahead of time - producing , cool - time of year , tender vegetable can handle altitude above 3,000 feet with protection from spring frosts . other bush beans , including Blue Lake Bush , are ready for harvest in less than 60 days . Plant them after all risk of frost is past . Earlivee cherubic Indian corn and other varieties with a 10 - week - or - less harvest will grow from come planted a week before the final spring frost , notes to the U of I Extension . Potatoes are a reliable high elevation crop . Planted three weeks before the final saltation frost , Red Nordland , Yukon Gold and Russet Norkotah are ready for harvest within 90 daylight . Autumn frost will damage their foliation .

Tender, Warm-Season Vegetables

Ill - outfit to pull through frost , cranky , warm - season vegetables admit tomato , peppers and cucumbers . Severe Robert Lee Frost also damages pumpkin vine and squelch , advises the UI Extension . engraft former types of each – and providing frost protection – is all important . Marketmore 76 cucumber vine , Ace sweet peppers and Hungarian Wax blistering peppers are dependable option . Fourth of July tomatoes are quick for harvesting in 49 24-hour interval . melon tree pear and Waltham butternut are suited summer and winter squashes . Small , rapidly growing pumpkin like Autumn Gold and Jack Be Nimble commonly ripen before frost , harmonize to the UI Extension .

References

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