*Reserved and complimentary lodging guests and The Ranches owners only. 

Kendra’s garden is a high-altitude organic farm-to-table vegetable garden. It was built to honor the passion for organic farming of Kendra Stumpf who was a dedicated gardener at Devil’s Thumb Ranch. Our gardening crew continues to maintain the beautiful flowers and harvest the vegetables that are used in many dishes at our restaurants on site.

Summer Tours: 10:00am – 11:00am, Saturdays through September 4
Meet at Kendra’s Garden between Ranch House Restaurant and the Spa.

What’s Growing at the Ranch

Vegetables – Bright Lights Swiss Chard, Redbor Kale, Dinosaur Kale, Gourmet Greens, Radishes, Beets, Carrots, Cabbage, Bok Choy, Cauliflower, Broccoli, and Rhubarb

Perennial Flowers – Colorado Columbine, Band of Nobles Lupine, Pacific Giant Delphinium, Bachelor Button, May Night Salvia, Shasta Daisy, Texas Flame Tulips, Rocky Mountain Penstemon, Black-Eyed Susan, Sedum, and Poppies (Oriental & Icelandic)

Wildflowers – Wild Lupine, Yellow Banner, Strawberries, Purple Fringe, Milkvetch, Forget-Me-Not, Chiming Bells, Chamomille, and Fireweed

Altitude Challenges

Weather
Hail, hard frosts, intense sun, dry conditions, freezing temperatures, and unpredictable weather patterns in the mountains are just a few elements plants need to endure at 8,500 feet. Plants need to be regularly covered for frost and hail and sometimes watered twice a day when conditions are too dry.

Pests
People and animals alike love feasting on our vegetables but not all are welcome. Marmots, aphids, caterpillars, and deer are just of few of our unwelcome visitors. To help protect our plants we use things such as nets over our raised beds and organic animal-safe bug repellent sprays. We also use companion planting to help deter unwanted bugs.

Growing Season
Our short growing season means we need fast-growing and cold weather tolerant plants. Being in plant hardiness zone 4b means all of our vegetables are cool-season crops.

Tips for high-altitude gardening

1. Have frost covers on hand (and know how to use them).
2. When planting in the ground, be sure to amend your soil with compost or organic material. Mountain soils tend to be clay-heavy and supplementing will improve drainage and nutrients.
3. Know your plant hardiness zone and plant accordingly.
4. Check the weather daily-hard frosts can happen even in the middle of summer!
5. Have a plan for pest invasions.
6. Choose plants that grow quickly and are cold-tolerant. Avoid delicate plants if you are unable to bring indoors.
7. Harvest in the morning for best taste and healthier plants.
8. Trim dead leaves and flowers from plants.
9. Fertilize your garden to get the most out of the short growing season.
10. Share your garden with others and have fun!