{"id":62852,"date":"2026-03-07T07:00:51","date_gmt":"2026-03-07T14:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/?p=62852"},"modified":"2026-03-08T08:33:03","modified_gmt":"2026-03-08T14:33:03","slug":"preparing-your-garden-for-spring-in-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.uchealth.org\/today\/preparing-your-garden-for-spring-in-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"Flowers are blooming early and trees are starved for water as Colorado endures a historic drought. How to prepare your garden this spring."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Plant lovers in Colorado are eager to prepare their gardens for spring. Experts say the key right now is: water, water, water. Photo courtesy of Master Gardener Karen Collins, Colorado State University Extension.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Severe drought and an ominously dry, warm winter in Colorado has gardeners and tree lovers worried and wondering how best to tend their gardens this spring.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all been very different this year. It\u2019s been warm and dry, and we\u2019ve had wind, which also dries things out,\u201d said Khursheed Mama, who has been a Colorado State University Extension master gardener<\/a> for two decades in Fort Collins, Colorado. \u201cWe have early-blooming shrubs flowering, fruit trees starting to bud, and spring bulbs including crocus, daffodils and tulips coming up earlier than is typical.\u201d<\/p>\n

While other parts of the U.S. have been drowning in snow \u2014 with deadly avalanches in California\u2019s Sierra Nevada<\/a> and a \u201cbonkers\u201d 38 inches of snow in coastal Providence, Rhode Island<\/a> \u2014 Colorado has been mostly dry.<\/p>\n

Many Coloradans are worried about potential water restrictions and wildfires this summer if drought conditions continue.<\/p>\n

Still, expert gardeners in Colorado know that March and April traditionally are the snowiest, wettest months in the Centennial state and are holding out hope.<\/p>\n

Spring also is unpredictable in Colorado, and a sudden cold snap could be just around the corner. As always, Colorado\u2019s weather loves to keep meteorologists and gardeners guessing, and the wide swings in temperatures can be added stressors to plants.<\/p>\n

No matter how this year\u2019s spring weather unfolds, now is a good time to check soil, water wisely and get your gardens, trees and shrubs ready for the summer months.<\/p>\n

The good news is that while native plants and trees are likely better adapted to periods of drought and Colorado\u2019s shifting weather patterns, there are practical steps you can take now to help minimize stress and help trees, shrubs and perennials thrive. Here, Mama outlines gardening strategies to focus on as spring approaches.<\/p>\n

Winter watering is critical<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cContinue \u2018winter\u2019 watering and start pruning and planning,\u201d Mama said.<\/p>\n

Winter watering matters every year, but this year, it\u2019s more critical than ever.<\/p>\n

The general rule is to water approximately once a month when surface temperatures are over 50 degrees or when soil temperatures are over 40 degrees. Water in the middle of the day so the water has time to absorb into the soil before temperatures drop.<\/p>\n

Mama reminds herself to do winter and spring watering by timing it to roughly coincide with big holidays \u2014 Thanksgiving, Christmas, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Valentine\u2019s Day, and Easter \u2014 unless there\u2019s been natural moisture, there is still snow or the air temperature is not warm enough.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis year, if you haven\u2019t been watering your trees, they are likely to show signs of stress and may be more susceptible to disease, which may not be noticeable in the first year, but levident in subsequent years,\u201d Mama said.<\/p>\n

She recommends digging down with your hands to feel whether the soil a few inches below the surface, closer to the tree roots, is moist. \u201cIf not, it\u2019s a good time to water,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

How to water in winter when your sprinklers and spigots are shut down <\/strong><\/h2>\n

Most people in Colorado shut down their automated watering systems to prevent them from freezing during the winter.<\/p>\n

If accessible, an easy way to water is to connect a hose to a spigot and place it at the tree line and leave it on a slow stream, moving it periodically to surround the entire perimeter. This can be time-consuming if you have a large garden, so you may use a sprinkler at the end of a hose to get a wider swath of water to your plants. You could also attach a soaker hose to the regular hose to encircle the tree’s perimeter. Plan this for a day with less wind so you minimize evaporative loss and ensure the water is soaking into the ground.<\/p>\n

How can you water your trees and shrubs when your spigots are shut down for the winter?<\/p>\n

Another option, if you have a limited number of trees, is to fill bags designed for this with water and let them slowly drain around the tree’s perimeter. Keep in mind that active roots are usually at the tree line and not at the base of a tree.<\/p>\n

A large watering can or an easily available 5-gallon bucket can also be used to carry water to a tree. To slow delivery and allow the roots to absorb moisture, holes may be drilled in the base, allowing gradual emptying.<\/p>\n

A general guideline is that a 1-inch caliper tree needs about 10 gallons of water. If time or water resources are limited, focus on younger or recently planted trees. For smaller shrubs, about 5 gallons of water is appropriate, whereas larger shrubs require more. Recently planted material may need more frequent application than monthly if drought conditions persist, Mama said.<\/p>\n

How to seal in moisture: Use mulch<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To help retain water, Mama recommends placing mulch around trees and shrubs. Mulch helps retain soil moisture and insulates plant root systems from extreme temperature changes, such as when daytime temperatures reach 70 degrees but drop to 20 degrees at night. Spread mulch in a layer a few inches thick, taking care not to pile it directly against tree trunks or plant stems.<\/p>\n

Whether your lawn needs watering during a dry winter depends on the type of grass and how established the lawn is. Many people in Colorado grow Kentucky Bluegrass, which goes dormant, allowing it to survive colder months without water.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn general, I\u2019d put less focus on your lawn and more focus on shrubs and trees, especially if you\u2019re worried about time and your water bill,\u201d she said. \u201cTrees take so long to grow and mature. There\u2019s an investment of time and money there, so it\u2019s worth the time of watering.\u201d<\/p>\n

Like lawns, she feels native perennials also will be OK without winter watering. However, if you have non-native perennials from more humid climates, they may need some water to help minimize the stress of the freeze-thaw cycle. Mulch also is helpful.<\/p>\n

Prepare your soil and garden beds<\/strong><\/h2>\n

\u201cMarch and into April is a fine time to add compost and work it into your soil,\u201d Mama said. \u201cBy doing that, it gives those nutrients time to mellow in the soil before planting.\u201d<\/p>\n

The general recommendation for a raised-bed mix is to combine 4 inches of existing soil, 3 inches of topsoil, and 2 inches of an amendment, such as compost. You can sometimes purchase topsoil and amendments already combined.<\/p>\n

\"making
Raised beds can be made from different materials, including stone. Now is a good time to prepare your garden for spring by designing or building your raised beds. Photo courtesy of Khursheed Mama.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cBe careful not to over-amend,\u201d Mama said. \u201cIf you\u2019ve added amendments for several years in a row, you may not need additional organic matter.\u201d<\/p>\n

One way to know this is to test your soil.<\/p>\n

Consider testing your soil<\/strong><\/h2>\n

You can test your soil<\/a> to understand how to better prepare it for planting.<\/p>\n

Soil sampling in Colorado can be done through the CSU Soil, Water and Plant Testing Laboratory for a fee. Try to grab soil samples about 6 inches deep from half a dozen different places around your garden, then mix the samples together if your soil is a similar mixture throughout. Alternatively, you can test individual locations independently.<\/p>\n

Results may take several weeks. For help interpreting them, contact the CSU Extension office or a Colorado Master Gardener.<\/p>\n

Get your garden infrastructure in place<\/strong><\/h2>\n

March and early April are excellent times to build beds or relocate, repair or expand existing beds. If making raised beds, don\u2019t overthink the design. You can use rocks, stones, concrete blocks, corrugated material, lumber or bricks. While railroad ties are not recommended due to the potential compounds leaching out of them, cedar and other natural, rot-resistant woods are fine.<\/p>\n

If you are making new beds, add a barrier underneath that will decompose over time. Newspaper works well and will help prevent grasses or weeds from coming up.<\/p>\n

Plan where your beds will go. Mama recommends you consider these things when planning where your garden beds will go:<\/p>\n