What It Takes to Garden in Steamboat Springs: Q&A with A Master Gardener

Gardening in Steamboat Springs is not what it is anywhere else. The growing season runs roughly 59 days on average, fewer than two frost-free months in most of Routt County, and the variables that define success here have almost nothing to do with what works in Denver, Chicago, or anywhere on a coast. High elevation, intense UV, dry air, clay or shale soil, and a full cast of wildlife with strong opinions about what you planted last week all factor into every decision.

That combination of constraints and beauty is exactly what drew Gwen Swenson-Hale, a Colorado State University Extension Master Gardener, to invest seriously in the landscape surrounding her home, 28100 Columbine Ridge at Big Valley Ranch in the South Valley. Over the course of a recent conversation, she shared what she's learned gardening at elevation, and what she'd tell anyone arriving here with a trowel, a dream, and lessons from somewhere else.

A Conversation with Master Gardener Gwen Swenson-Hale

What's the most important thing to know about gardening in Steamboat?

“Choose native plants that have historically grown here. They're designed for this weather, which is dry and high. Average frost-free days in Steamboat and Routt County: 59 days, on average, every year. You have less than two months when it's not freezing, where you don't get a late freeze, you don't get an early freeze. So our growing season is very short.

What principle do you come back to most?

"’Right plant, right place.’ That's a big cliché in the gardening world, but it's also true. If a plant needs full sun and you put it somewhere that's more shade than sun, it's not going to thrive. It might survive, but it's going to struggle, and you're going to be unhappy."

What thrives here that surprises people?

"I encourage a lot of my flowers to go to seed. I help spread the seed in the fall, and once they're completely dried on the stems, I broadcast them before the snow falls. It's amazing to see what happens— lupine, black-eyed susans, poppies, shasta daisies—they grow like crazy, if they're in the right place. I couldn't have planned it this way. And all of these are showstopping plants that love it up here."

You have deer, elk, sandhill cranes, and grouse on the property. How does that shape what you plant?

"There are only two types of flowers that deer won't eat: cactus with the spines on them, and silk flowers. That said, the deer don't like the stronger-smelling plants or feathery, fluffy leaves that would stick to their tongues. But if they're really hungry, they're going to eat them anyway. I intersperse all the herbs among my ornamentals because, by definition, herbs are very flavorful, have a lot of smell and texture, and that helps keep the wildlife away. I also think herbs are drop-dead beautiful. The chives right now are blooming like crazy. The dill is going to be three-foot-tall heads of feathery yellow later this summer."

What about watering?

"Estimates are that more than a third of all residential landscape watering is wasted. This is caused by inefficient irrigation, evaporation, wind, run-off, and water going to places where it's not doing any good to the things growing there. Trees are a good example. As a tree grows, the roots spread out to the distance of the canopy, and most of those roots are within the first six inches of the soil. If you're dumping all this water near the trunk, all it's doing is potentially drowning out that one area, and not delivering water to any of the other roots, which desperately need it.”

Does the soil require much attention?

"Routt County is interesting because parts of it are solid clay. Other places have a shale-type scenario. Try to plant things that do well in those environments. And don't try to replace the soil, but amend it with organic material and lighter soil, creating a more hospitable soil bed."

How do you think about the garden as part of living on this property?

"Every time you look out the window, every time you're having a beverage outside, it's something that is beautiful to see and hopefully lifts your spirits. It also benefits pollinators and the ecosystem. Although we are inhabiting the land, it’s important to remember that other organisms are living here and depend on the land as well. Finally, gardening is experimentation, and it can be a real joy to try different plants in your garden. I say, ‘give it a go!’”

Properties with Exceptional Land and Landscape

The homes below feature acreage, views, and natural settings that reward the kind of attention Gwen describes.

28100 Columbine Ridge 

Last Run Ranch, designed by Michael Olsen and set on 36.46 acres in Big Valley Ranch, is the property where Gwen has cultivated the landscape she describes above. Panoramic views of the Steamboat Ski Area and South Valley anchor the five-bedroom, 4,927-square-foot residence, where a 23-foot great room ceiling, equestrian flexibility, a naturally cooled storage room suitable for wine, and a 36-panel solar array add long-term efficiency to an architecturally significant estate. Recent updates include a reimagined kitchen, updated furnishings, added air conditioning, and a paved driveway. Represented by Chris Paoli. View Listing →

42375 River Drum Trail Within the gates of Marabou Ranch, this custom legacy estate on 6.78 private acres captures panoramic views across the Steamboat Valley, Elk River corridor, Sleeping Giant, and the Flat Tops. Reclaimed wood, natural stone, steel, and glass establish the material palette; traditional farmhouse forms are interpreted through a modern lens, with vaulted wood-beamed ceilings, gallery-style walls, and a dramatic floor-to-ceiling fireplace at the center of the main living areas. The six-bedroom, 6.5-bath compound includes a private two-bedroom guest suite with kitchen and a detached two-bedroom guest house. Forward-thinking systems include solar panels, Zehnder air filtration, whole-home humidification, and Savant automation. Ownership includes Marabou's resident-only amenities: private fly fishing on the Elk River, equestrian facilities, miles of trails, and a private ski lounge at the resort base. Represented by Chris Paoli. View Property →

33250 Ravenswood Lane 

Perched above the South Valley in Whitewood, this hilltop estate spans nearly eight acres with 360-degree views reaching from the ski area to the Flat Tops, Hahns Peak, and the Zirkel Mountains. At 6,860 square feet, the residence delivers legacy-scale living with engineering and infrastructure, such as geoexchange heating and cooling, solar panels, a wind turbine, deep well, whole-house filtration, and a commercial-grade air exchange system, rarely found in residential construction. Extensively irrigated landscaping, mature trees, and picturesque fenced gardens complete a property designed for self-sufficient year-round living. Two primary suites, a three-bedroom guest suite with private entrance, home theater, gym, and four heated garage bays round out the offering. Represented by Chris Paoli. View Listing →

33800 Catamount Drive

The Covered Bridge Estate at Catamount Ranch & Club occupies seven private acres overlooking the 7th fairway and South Valley, with outdoor terraces, landscaped gardens, and cascading water features that extend the living experience well beyond the walls. Designed by Joe Patrick Robbins and constructed over three years, the stone-and-timber residence features 400 tons of natural stone, 30-foot vaulted ceilings, five fireplaces, and a newly remodeled chef's kitchen with dual appliances, a Miele coffee system, and views from every seat. A wine cellar, 10-seat theater, fitness studio, and full spa with cold plunge and sauna occupy the lower level; a snowmelt driveway, four-car garage, and fully furnished interiors complete the offering. Seller financing available. Represented by Noah Zedeck. View Listing →

Explore Steamboat's ranch, land, and legacy homes, or contact The Agency Steamboat Springs to discuss what's available at [email protected].