2026 Colorado Gardening Guide Tackles Drought-Wise Planting Choices

Colorado Public Radio published a 2026 gardening guide this month laying out which plants to put in the ground, which varieties to skip, and how home gardeners can keep landscapes alive through another dry stretch, according to the outlet's report.

The guide is aimed squarely at the state's semi-arid reality, where elevation and microclimate can shift growing conditions from one valley to the next.

What planting advice does the 2026 guide highlight?

The report points readers toward drought-tolerant species suited to Colorado's semi-arid climate zones, according to Colorado Public Radio. Because the state spans plains, foothills, and mountain valleys, the outlet's guide does not offer a single statewide plant list; instead it frames recommendations around matching species to local conditions rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

Which plants does the guide suggest gardeners avoid?

Alongside its planting suggestions, the guide flags varieties that struggle or demand heavy irrigation in Colorado's dry climate, per the outlet's reporting. The advice steers gardeners away from high-maintenance plantings that require frequent watering in communities where water restrictions have become a routine part of summer.

How does the guide address ongoing drought conditions?

Beyond plant selection, the guide walks through broader strategies for gardening under drought, Colorado Public Radio reports, covering how residents might adjust watering habits and landscaping decisions as dry conditions persist across much of the state.

When should Colorado gardeners act on this advice?

Published in mid-September, the guide lands as fall becomes the traditional window for tasks such as planting bulbs and dividing perennials in much of Colorado, ahead of decisions about spring bedding plants and vegetable starts that typically ramp up early the following year. Water-wise strategies described in the report, such as adjusting irrigation habits, are most relevant heading into summer, when demand on municipal water supplies peaks.

How does regional gardening advice differ across the country?

Gardening guidance varies sharply by climate. In Georgia, the Fannin County Master Gardeners recently hosted a program on Southern bulb gardening, an approach built around a far wetter climate than Colorado's arid landscape. The contrast underscores why Colorado Public Radio's guide leans on state-specific plant selection rather than generic gardening tips.

Colorado Public Radio's full guide includes further detail on plant selection and drought strategy not summarized here; readers weighing specific changes to their yards this fall can consult the original report before buying plants for the season.

Artiglio is A coming-soon iPhone chief of staff for briefings and drafts. Not on the App Store yet.