Gardening & Landscapes

Your trusted source for information

The average elevation in the state of Colorado is above 6,800 feet. High-intensity sunlight, generally low humidity, extreme weather fluctuations, and diverse soil conditions all combine to challenge Colorado gardeners and homeowners. Thankfully, CSU Extension has the gardening resources and expertise to help you be successful.

Close up of a monarch butterfly on purple flowers.

Gardening & Landscape

Find a course, program, or other resource

CSU offers a wide range of educational and informational resources to help more people grow in Colorado and beyond. We’ve been researching plants, trees, bees, soil, and landscapes more for more than a century.

Beekeeping in the Mountain West
Certified Gardener Program
Colorado Master Gardener
Green School
Landscape for Life™
Pesticide Applicator Training
PlantTalk Colorado
The Relentless Gardener Podcast
Yard and Garden Publications from CSU Extension

Featured Programs

  • A vibrant garden filled with various wildflowers in shades of purple, yellow, and red, surrounded by tall grasses. In the background, there is a white gazebo with a dark roof, partially obscured by trees.
    Travis Taylor and another Extension agent in various rural locations in Burlington Colorado

    Online Program

    Green School from CSU Extension

    CSU Extension has helped people grow for 100 years. Learn gardening and landscaping basics from Colorado horticulture experts through the flexible, online ‘Green School’ program.

  • A person in a beekeeper suite examining a colony of bees.
    The sun rises of Rifle Colorado, home of the Garfield County Fair, July 27, 2021

    Online Program

    Beekeeping in the Mountain West

    Keeping bees in Colorado (and the Mountain West) can be challenging. This program equips you with location and climate-specific knowledge for nurturing thriving bee colonies.

  • A person holding freshly picked tomatoes in one hand, with a basket of tomatoes, carrots, and leafy greens in the other, standing in a garden.
    The sun rises of Rifle Colorado, home of the Garfield County Fair, July 27, 2021

    Online Program

    Certified Gardener

    Take online courses in soils, pruning, weed management, lawn care, insects, herbaceous plants, vegetables, water wise landscaping, and much more. Classes are self-paced.

  • A scenic view of a golden field at sunset, with mountains in the distance under a clear sky.
    The sun rises of Rifle Colorado, home of the Garfield County Fair, July 27, 2021

    Online Course

    Native Plants in the Landscape

    Learn about the diversity of native plants suitable for use in landscapes in North America. Discuss landscape design principles and the preparation of planting plans.

Colorado Master Gardeners

A robust network of certified volunteer gardeners who work across the state of Colorado helping others learn to become gardeners. With over 1,400 volunteers as of 2023, Master Gardeners volunteered over 53,000 hours and reached over 150,000 Coloradans. Volunteers answer helpdesk questions, do outreach, and help adult, youth, and community gardens flourish.

learn more about colorado master gardeners
Person working in the garden at the Colorado State University Eagle County Extension office
A vibrant sunset scene over a wildflower meadow, with tall plants silhouetted against the colorful sky.

Low-flammability landscape plants guide

In Colorado, choosing the right plants around structures is an important part of wildfire safety. Management of defensible space and plant types is also essential. Check out the full guide for information and tips on choosing plants for your property.

View Guide

Featured Resources

Discover a wealth of information on gardening, landscaping, and related topics when you visit the CSU Extension website.

  • A cluster of white daisies with yellow centers growing in a green garden.

    Perennial Gardening

    A well-designed perennial garden can provide many years of beauty and enjoyment. Careful selection of plant material and thoughtful planning will result in a full season of color.

  • A garden bed with fresh leafy greens growing inside a greenhouse with an open panel for ventilation

    Container Gardens

    Container gardens are one of the fastest growing segments of gardening. Containers can be used where traditional gardens are not possible.

  • A close-up of rainwater pouring from the corner of an old rusted metal roof gutter, with blurred background of a tin-roofed building.

    Rainwater Collection in Colorado

    Colorado homeowners are allowed to use a maximum of two rain barrels (with a combined storage of 110 gallons or less) to collect rainwater. Collected rainwater may be used to irrigate outdoor lawns, plants, or gardens.

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