Even with the difficulties that come with living in a high altitude, you do not have to abandon your green thumb.
Though high altitude gardening is challenging, it is nowhere near impossible, as long as you are prepared for the adjustments and concessions you may have to make.
If you live in an elevation higher than 7000 feet, you will have to assess your surroundings and set your expectations accordingly.
Living in the Colorado Rockies, for example, will mean dealing with low humidity, rocky soil, and a variety of pests, all of which can hinder your ability to grow plants.
Your best defense is to understand what problems you can expect when gardening at high altitudes and how to surmount these obstacles.
If you used to live in lower altitudes, you will find that gardening at a higher elevations requires several changes from your old techniques.
To start with, you will have to adjust to a shorter growing season due to changes in sunlight and harsher temperatures.
Many gardeners complain of frozen conditions lasting through mid-April.
Because you can only expect good conditions lasting between May and October, your garden should include vegetation that have a shorter growing cycle.
The lack of top soil also presents a common problem faced by high altitude gardening.
At these elevations, most yards are located at a slope, which are prone to soil erosion no matter the extent of the grade.
Gardeners typically only have a layer of soil an inch or two thick before reaching rock.
Because of the stony condition of the dirt, referred to as decomposed granite, composting becomes important, if not necessary.
The sun, too, at these levels is known to deplete the nutrients in organic soil, meaning you will have to perfect a way to add compost to supplement lost nutrients.
You may be limited to vegetables that are more sturdy and require less to grow.
Low humidity and a lack of water are other obstacles.
Within an hour of a rainfall, the ground will already be dry.
Therefore you will need to find a way to satisfy your garden's thirst, whether through regular watering or using organic fertilizer that add moisture to the ground.
Although high altitude gardening comes with a set of complications, they can all be overcome with research and key adjustments.
If these gardening techniques are new to you, ask for advice from neighbors and other gardeners in the area and you will have no problem navigating around common pitfalls.
Even with a shorter season, you can still create a lush, vibrant garden.