What to Do in Your Denver Garden Before Spring Hits
Spring might feel far away, but seasoned Denver gardeners know that now is the perfect time to get a head start on the season. While the ground might still be frozen, there are plenty of tasks you can do to ensure a strong, productive garden once the weather warms up.
From starting seeds to winter watering to pruning fruit trees, let’s dig into what to do before spring hits—and how setting up a garden consultation can help you start the season right.
1. Start Seeds for Early Crops
Believe it or not, this is the perfect time to start some seeds—especially if you want an early harvest.
Onions & Leeks
If you’re growing onions or leeks, now is the time to start them indoors. These plants grow slowly and need a head start to be ready for transplanting in early spring.
Hot Tip:
Plant them closely together to save space and soil. Since they won’t be in containers for long, they won’t deplete the soil of nutrients, and they don’t mind root disturbance when transplanted.
Winter Sowing Cool-Season Crops
Cool-season crops thrive in cold temperatures, and winter sowing is one of the easiest ways to start them outdoors. If you’ve never winter sown before, this method involves planting seeds in mini-greenhouses made from repurposed containers and letting nature do the work.
Some of the best crops to winter sow right now include:
Broccoli
Kale
Collards
Ready to try winter sowing?
Read our blog on Common Winter Sowing Mistakes (and How to Avoid Them)
Check out our Winter Sowing Guide for a step-by-step process.
Indoor Seed Starting Essentials
If you’re starting seeds indoors, you’ll need the right setup to help your seedlings thrive.
Ample lighting: A sunny windowsill isn’t enough—invest in grow lights for strong, healthy seedlings.
High-quality trays: Sturdy seed trays help prevent root damage when transplanting.
Humidity domes: These help maintain moisture levels for strong germination rates.
Having the right setup now will make seed starting a breeze when it's time to start warm-season crops like tomatoes and peppers later in the season.
Read Next: Grow Lights 101: Starting Seedlings for Denver Gardeners
2. Keep Up With Winter Watering
Colorado winters are notoriously dry, and while plants might be dormant, they still need moisture to survive.
Water trees, shrubs, and lawns if it’s been 30+ days without snow or rain.
Water early in the day when temperatures are above 40°F and the ground isn’t frozen.
Don’t forget garlic, asparagus, and rhubarb—these perennials will thank you with stronger growth in spring.
Winter watering is essential for preventing root damage and plant stress—especially for newly planted trees and perennials.
Read Next: Winter Watering Tips for Denver Gardens
3. Prune Fruit Trees Before Spring Growth Begins
Winter is the best time to prune fruit trees because the trees are dormant, making it easier to see branch structure and prevent disease spread.
Why now? Fire blight, a common problem in the Denver area, is dormant during winter. Pruning now reduces the risk of spreading fire blight in spring.
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and encourage healthy fruit production.
Pruning fruit trees now sets them up for better growth and fruiting later in the year.
Ready to Start Your Denver Garden?
Get our Denver Garden Growing Guide for the step-by-step!
4. Plan Your Garden for the Year Ahead
Before spring rushes in, take some time to plan your garden layout.
Review what worked and what didn’t last year.
Decide what new crops you want to try.
Plan where everything will go to maximize space, sunlight, and airflow.
This is also the perfect time to book a garden consultation.
Check out our Garden Services!
Why Set Up a Garden Consultation Now?
If you’re unsure where to place your garden, struggling with poor soil, or want to maximize your harvest, a garden consultation can help you set up a strong foundation before planting begins.
Working with a garden consultant can help you:
Find the best location for your garden based on sun exposure and wind protection.
Design an efficient layout to get the most out of your space.
Choose plants that thrive in Denver’s unpredictable climate.
Get expert advice tailored to your yard’s unique conditions.
Book a free 20-minute discovery call to get started on your best garden yet!
Just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean there’s nothing to do in the garden. Taking a few key steps now—starting seeds, keeping up with winter watering, pruning fruit trees, and planning your layout—can make all the difference in how successful your garden is this spring.
And if you’re ready to get serious about growing food this year, book a garden consultation and get expert guidance tailored to your space.
Spring will be here before we know it—let’s get ready!
Need Help with your Denver garden?
At Auntie M’s Garden, we believe in empowering Denver gardeners with the knowledge and tools to grow successfully. Check out these resources to keep growing.
🌱 Ready to Prep Up Your Garden?
Dive into our shop for recommendations tailored to Denver gardeners. Check out our resources for our favorite local seeds.
🌱 Want to dive deeper into expert gardening techniques tailored to Denver’s climate?
Check out our Denver Growing Guide for in-depth advice, planting tips, and planning strategies!
🌱 Ready for 1:1 help with your Denver backyard garden?
We offer consultations, custom garden and landscape designs, and maintenance packages. Sign up for a consultation today to start working with us!
Have questions or want to share your gardening success stories?
Drop a comment below, or reach out through our Contact Page!
Check out our free resources or services!
Save this Blog on Pinterest!
**This post may contain affiliate links, which means I earn a small profit if you click on the link to make a purchase. Other links are not sponsored, because I also like supporting small, local businesses.**
Meet the Gardener
I’m Elisa Mack - a mom and Denverite who went from being a green-ish thumb to a kitchen garden fanatic simply by dedicating myself to the study of all things Colorado gardening.
Landscapers don’t design. And nurseries don’t make house calls.
We take a more full-service approach, from designing your dream garden to keeping it beautiful year-round.
And as your coach, I’ll help eliminate the guesswork through every season, no matter your level of knowledge.
