Those cooler mornings and earlier sunsets are beginning to send the message: fall is coming.
But before you put away the garden gloves and declare the yard officially closed until spring, there is some important work to do.
For homeowners in 80015 and the surrounding Centennial and Aurora neighborhoods, early fall offers a valuable window for strengthening trees, preparing perennial beds and even planting some of next spring’s color. Colorado State University Extension uses roughly October 1 as a typical Front Range frost date for garden planning, although frost can arrive earlier or later depending on your particular yard and the year.
That makes September less of a gardening finale and more of a handoff.
Plant While the Soil Is Still Warm
Cooler air does not necessarily mean cold soil. Roots can continue developing after the blazing summer temperatures have faded.
For many Colorado landscapes, fall is an excellent time to add trees. CSU Extension identifies approximately September 1 through October 15 as an optimal fall planting window for trees in Colorado. Container-grown trees can also be planted into fall when adequate irrigation is available.
Early fall can also work well for hardy perennials. Think about plants that can return year after year rather than filling every bed with annuals each spring.
Nearby Nick's Garden Center & Farm Market carries Colorado-friendly perennials, shrubs and trees, including options such as yarrow, sage, ornamental grasses and chrysanthemums. Their staff can also help homeowners match plants to sun exposure, available space and water requirements.
That local knowledge matters. A gorgeous plant that loves humid soil somewhere else may regard an exposed Colorado yard as an elaborate practical joke.
Think Spring Bulbs Now
Want tulips, daffodils, crocus or other spring color?
You have to think several months ahead.
According to CSU Extension, September and October are the preferred months for planting many spring-flowering bulbs, giving them time to establish roots before the ground freezes.
Nick’s carries annuals and bulbs and recommends preparing native soil with compost before planting.
A little digging this fall can produce one of those wonderful Colorado moments next spring, when color suddenly appears while the mountains are still wearing snow.
Give Your Trees a Drink Before Winter
One of the biggest Colorado landscaping mistakes happens after sprinkler systems are turned off.
We stop watering.
Colorado's dry air, limited winter precipitation and frequent stretches without snow cover can leave trees, shrubs and perennials thirsty even when they are dormant. CSU Extension recommends watering during extended dry periods when temperatures are above 40 degrees and the ground is not frozen. Newly planted trees are especially vulnerable.
For established trees, think beyond the trunk. Water slowly across the root zone beneath and around the canopy rather than pouring water directly at the base.
Your trees may look asleep. Their roots did not receive that memo.
Mulch, But Please Retire the Mulch Volcano
Fall is also an excellent time to refresh mulch around trees and perennial beds.
Mulch helps conserve moisture, reduce weeds and moderate temperature swings, all very useful qualities in our Colorado climate. CSU Extension recommends keeping mulch away from the tree trunk, rather than piling it into the familiar volcano shape seen around far too many landscapes.
Need compost, soil or mulch? Nick’s carries bulk and bagged landscaping materials, including compost, planter mixes, mulch and bark, with delivery available throughout Aurora and the Denver metro area.
Don't Clean the Garden to Death
There is one more permission slip worth giving yourself this fall:
You do not have to cut everything down.
Remove diseased material and plants that truly need cleaning up, but consider leaving some healthy perennial seed heads and ornamental grasses standing. They provide winter texture and can offer food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects. CSU Extension specifically recommends leaving ornamental grass seedheads for winter interest and wildlife.
A slightly less manicured fall garden can actually be a healthier garden.
Make Nick's a Fall Garden Stop
For local homeowners wondering what should I plant, what should I cut back, what survived summer, and what on earth is happening to that tree?, Nick's is worth putting on the fall errand list.
Family-owned and serving the Denver metro area since 1987, Nick's offers trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, soils, compost, mulch and knowledgeable help specifically geared toward Colorado growing conditions.
Nick's Garden Center & Farm Market
2001 S. Chambers Road, Aurora
303-696-6657
Visit Nick's Garden Center & Farm Market
Fall in Colorado is brief, brilliant and occasionally unpredictable. Your garden does not need an enormous autumn overhaul. Give the trees water, protect the roots, plant a few things for the future and resist the urge to make every flower bed perfectly tidy.
Then when spring arrives, your yard may already be several steps ahead.
35 Comments
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Thanks for the specific dates for fall planting. Having an actual timeline helps me not procrastinate and miss the window again.
Is it weird I like the look of old grasses and flower heads in the snow? They’re kind of pretty and the birds hang out all winter.
I wish I’d read this a few years ago, lost a young maple to winter drought because I just assumed it was all fine. Gonna be more careful now.
Can confirm: if you buy some random plant from out east, it will NOT survive our dry air. Learned that lesson many $ ago.
Really appreciate practical tips like matching new plants to sunlight and water needs. The Colorado sun is brutal if you guess wrong.
Does anyone know if deer will eat newly planted bulbs here? I want color in the spring but don’t want to feed the wildlife too much.
Casey ElmDeer definitely go after tulips in my yard. Daffodils seem pretty safe though, and I put chicken wire over new bulbs until spring just in case.
Glad to read that a messy fall garden isn’t a bad thing. Maybe that’s why my flower beds do better some years!
Absolutely, sometimes a little bit of fall 'mess' is just what a garden needs for healthier plants and more wildlife action come spring!
They say to water during warm winter days, but how do you run a hose if you’ve drained your outdoor pipes? Always worried about frozen lines.
Theodore B.That’s a good question! I use a watering can from my kitchen sink for a few trees when we get those warmer days. It takes a few trips but at least I don’t have to worry about my pipes.
Someone told me to plant ornamental grasses for winter interest but I never actually left the seed heads. Going to try it this year, the birds will love it.
The unpredictable part about Colorado fall is so true. Got snow in early October last year, so I hope I can finish garden chores before that hits again.
EddieKI remember that storm! Covered up my mums with a bucket and they pulled through somehow. Colorado weather always keeps you guessing.
I’ve definitely made the mistake of piling mulch right up to the trunk. Oops. Thanks for clarifying how to do it right!
Amy McNallyYou’re not alone, Amy! I made that mistake for years. Seems like everyone around here did the mulch volcano at least once.
Always appreciate the shoutout to local businesses. Nick’s is a gem and their fall bulbs always bloom great for me.
Doreen H.Totally agree, Nick’s is my go-to for just about everything yard related. Their staff is always friendly and helpful, too.
I’m new to Colorado and didn’t realize how dry our winters are. Still learning about how things actually grow here, so this helped a lot.
Welcome to Colorado! Our dry winters do take some getting used to, but with a few adjustments like winter watering and plant selection, your garden will thrive in no time.
My yard is all rock and I’m not much of a gardener, but I might try some hardy perennials now. Seeing color in spring would be nice.
Love the suggestion about mixing in compost before planting bulbs. I feel like soil prep always gets missed in these guides!
Planting trees in the fall seems backwards to me but I guess as long as you water them, makes sense. Anyone tried planting this late in the season?
It’s good to know you don’t need to cut every plant down for winter. Makes the fall cleanup way less stressful.
Cam S.Same! Plus the birds and bees seem to like the messy look. It actually feels good not obsessing over everything being perfect before winter.
Does anyone know if Nick’s delivers bulk mulch to south Centennial? I might finally redo my backyard beds if so.
Have shopped at Nick’s since we moved to Aurora. The staff really do help pick out stuff that survives here, which is a lifesaver for someone like me!
Joanna LiuSame for me! When we moved out from Kansas, I had no clue what would survive here. Nick’s folks had good advice plus some fun plant ideas I wouldn’t have tried.
Thanks for the reminder about bulbs. I always forget to plant tulips until it’s way too late and the ground’s frozen solid. Going to Nick’s this weekend.
Leaving up some perennials for the birds is such a great tip. I always feel guilty if I don’t clean up everything but maybe I can be a little less strict!
Thank you! You definitely have permission to be less strict, leaving up perennials not only helps the birds, but it can also benefit your garden's health through the winter.
Rachel T.I used to be a tidy-all-the-time gardener but leaving stuff up really does help the animals. And it gives the yard a bit more interest during winter too.
Never heard the term mulch volcano before, but I totally see them all over. Guilty as charged, looks like I need to redo how I mulch around my trees.
We’re glad that resonated with you, piling mulch up against the trunk can trap moisture and hurt the tree, so spreading it out like a donut instead of a volcano really helps!
I had no idea you should be watering trees in the winter if the temps are warm enough. I turned off my sprinklers and just forget about it. Will try this year!