Colorado Springs residents who tend their backyards and raised beds should start thinking about the coming freeze now that mid‑September is upon us. While a few warm days may linger, the first hard freeze typically arrives in early October, signaling the end of the growing season.
Harvest the remaining crops
Mike Spencer, owner of Spencer’s Lawn and Garden Centers, advises gardeners to focus on tomatoes while they still have time. “We still have three weeks of growing season left, and we are trying to, as we get closer, harvest tomatoes,” he said. He recommends pulling ripe tomatoes off the vine, hanging them upside down, and allowing them to finish ripening on the plant. This method can yield sweeter fruit even as temperatures dip.
Clear out spent plants
Once the frost arrives, it’s time to remove the season’s vegetables. Spencer suggests pulling up the plants and adding them to a compost pile. “You’ll want to get the plants out and your compost,” he explained. Composting not only reduces waste but also creates nutrient‑rich material that will benefit next year’s garden.
Prepare the soil for winter
Before the ground freezes, give the soil a good till. “Start tilling the soil, get in a preparation this fall so you don’t have much to do in the spring,” Spencer advised. Turning the soil helps break up compacted clods, incorporates organic matter, and encourages beneficial microbes that survive the cold.
Adding a layer of well‑rotted manure or compost after tilling can improve soil structure and provide a slow‑release source of nutrients. In Colorado’s high‑altitude climate, a soil test can pinpoint any deficiencies, allowing gardeners to amend the ground with the right minerals before winter sets in.
Cover crops and mulches
Planting a winter cover crop such as winter rye or clover can protect the soil from erosion, suppress weeds, and add organic matter when it is turned under in early spring. If a cover crop isn’t feasible, a thick mulch of straw, shredded leaves, or pine needles can insulate the soil and retain moisture.
Plan for a strong spring
By completing these steps now, Colorado Springs gardeners set themselves up for a less labor‑intensive spring. With the beds already loosened, enriched, and protected, the first planting can begin as soon as the soil thaws, giving crops a head start before the summer heat returns.
For more localized gardening tips, visit Spencer’s Lawn and Garden Centers or check the city’s extension service resources. Staying proactive this fall ensures a thriving garden year after year, even in the Rocky Mountain climate.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
