Our region has a wide diversity of growing climates and micro niches. Most long-timers go with short season crops, foregoing the big tomatoes and watermelons finding those at the Farmer’s Markets!
At first, experience success with the short season crops before moving onto the bigger challenges.
On the seed packet it will give “Days to Harvest”. In Colorado Springs, estimate June 1 as day one. Our first killing frost is approximately Oct 1. So let’s say 120 good growing days without hail or rogue frosts.
Crop time needs to fit in there or add protection at the beginning or end of the season. If it’s short harvest times, plant succession rows to keep the harvest coming!