Creating a stunning outdoor space through thoughtful design and careful plant selection is a wonderful achievement. Yet, the true enduring beauty of any landscaping Colorado Springs project comes from consistent, season-specific attention. Our region gives us distinct seasons, each bringing its own character and its own set of tasks to keep our yards looking their best and staying healthy. It’s not just about a burst of spring color or summer greenery; it’s about nurturing your landscape throughout the entire year. We want to take you through a seasonal guide, offering insights into how you can maintain a vibrant and resilient outdoor environment from the first thaw of spring to the quiet snows of winter. Embracing these rhythms can turn garden care into a satisfying part of enjoying your home.
Spring Awakening: Getting Your Landscape Ready for Growth
As the snow recedes and the days grow longer, our gardens begin to stir. Spring is a time of renewal, and there are several important jobs to get our landscapes on track for the growing season.
The first step is often a thorough clean-up. Winter winds can leave behind fallen twigs, leaves, and other bits of debris. We need to clear all this old material away to allow air and light to reach the soil and emerging plants. This is also a good time to assess if any plants suffered winter damage. Look for broken branches on trees and shrubs, or any signs of die-back on perennials. Pruning is often necessary to remove damaged wood and to shape shrubs before they put on their main flush of spring growth. For flowering shrubs, it’s good to know if they bloom on old wood or new wood, as this dictates the best time to prune.
Lawn care also begins in earnest in the spring. Once the ground is no longer saturated, a gentle raking can help remove any matted grass. Aeration can be very beneficial, especially for compacted soils, as it allows air, water, and nutrients to penetrate to the roots. If your lawn has bare patches, overseeding can help fill them in. Your irrigation system, which was likely shut down for winter, will need to be reactivated. We always recommend you turn the system on carefully and check for any leaks, broken sprinkler heads, or other issues that might have occurred during the winter. Addressing these early prevents water waste and ensures your plants get the hydration they need. Spring is also when we can start some early plantings off, like cool-season annuals for a pop of color, or begin planting hardy vegetables.
Summer Brilliance: Helping Your Garden Thrive in the Sun
Summer is when our gardens are often at their most active and vibrant. The key during these warmer months is to help our plants thrive, especially under the strong Colorado sun.
Watering wisely is paramount. Plants will naturally need more water during the heat of summer, but it’s still best to water deeply and less frequently, rather than giving shallow, frequent sprinklings. This encourages roots to grow deeper, making plants more resilient. We should adjust watering schedules based on rainfall and temperature. Early morning is generally the best time to water, as this minimizes evaporation. Topping up the mulch layer around your plants is a great summer task. A good two-to-three-inch layer of organic mulch helps conserve soil moisture, keeps roots cooler, and suppresses weeds, which compete for water and nutrients.
We also need to keep an eye out for common summer pests or diseases. Regular walks through your garden will help you spot any issues early, when they are often easier to manage. Many Colorado Springs landscapers offer services that can help identify and treat problems if they arise. For flowering plants, deadheading; which means removing spent blooms; can encourage more flowers and prevent plants from putting energy into seed production. Light trimming or pruning can also help maintain the shape of shrubs and perennials. And, of course, summer is the prime time to enjoy your outdoor living spaces, so keeping patios, decks, and pathways tidy will enhance your enjoyment.
Autumn Preparation: Winding Down and Preparing for Winter
As summer transitions into autumn, the garden begins to prepare for the colder months ahead. This season involves both enjoying the fall colors and undertaking important tasks to get our landscapes ready for winter.
Leaf management is a big one. While fallen leaves can look beautiful, a thick layer left on lawns can smother the grass. Raking leaves and adding them to a compost pile is an excellent way to recycle these organic materials back into your garden. Autumn is also an ideal time for planting many things. The soil is still warm, allowing roots to establish before winter, and the cooler air temperatures are less stressful for new plants. This is a great window for adding trees, shrubs, and spring-blooming bulbs like tulips and daffodils to your colorado landscaping.
Lawn care continues into the fall with a final mowing, often a bit shorter to prevent matting under snow. A fall fertilization can help roots store nutrients for a healthy start next spring. For perennials, some gardeners prefer to cut them back after the first hard frost, while others choose to leave the seed heads and foliage standing for winter interest and to provide food and shelter for birds. One of an essential autumn chore is winterizing your irrigation system. This involves shutting the water supply off and blowing all the water out of the pipes and sprinkler heads with compressed air to prevent them from freezing and bursting during the winter. We must see this task through to avoid costly repairs.
Winter Care: Protecting Your Landscape Investment
Winter in Colorado Springs can be beautiful, but it also presents challenges for our landscapes. While many plants are dormant, some care is still needed to protect our investment.
For more sensitive plants, especially certain evergreens or newly planted trees and shrubs, providing some winter protection can be beneficial. This might involve wrapping plants in burlap to shield them from harsh winds and sun scald, or applying an anti-desiccant spray to evergreens to help reduce moisture loss from their needles. If we get heavy, wet snow, it’s a good idea to gently brush the accumulation off the branches of trees and shrubs to prevent them from breaking under the weight.
Surprisingly, watering can still be necessary during the winter. If we have extended dry periods without snow cover and the ground isn’t frozen solid, trees, shrubs, and even lawns can benefit from occasional supplemental watering, perhaps once a month. This is particularly important for evergreens, which continue to lose moisture through their needles year-round. Winter is also a quiet time in the garden, perfect for observation. You can note which areas get winter sun, how existing plants look, and dream new projects up for the coming spring.
The Role of Professional Maintenance Services
Maintaining a landscape through all four seasons can be a significant commitment of time and effort. While many homeowners enjoy garden work, sometimes it’s beneficial to call professional help in. Deciding when to do it yourself versus hiring a service depends on your available time, physical ability, interest, and the specific tasks at hand.
Regular maintenance schedules with professional landscaping Colorado Springs companies can take a lot of the guesswork and hard labor out of yard care. These services can include lawn mowing and treatments, seasonal clean-ups in spring and fall, expert pruning of trees and shrubs, fertilization programs, irrigation management, and pest control. Having knowledgeable professionals look after your landscape can ensure it stays healthy and attractive throughout the year.
Finishing Thoughts
A landscape that offers beauty and enjoyment in every season is the result of ongoing, thoughtful care. By understanding the specific needs of your plants and your property as the seasons change here in Colorado Springs, you can create an outdoor space that is not only a visual delight but also a healthy, resilient ecosystem. Embracing the rhythm of seasonal maintenance allows us to work with nature, ensuring our gardens continue to mature and flourish for many years to come. We hope these seasonal tips help you nurture your own slice of Colorado beauty. For more detailed information on specific tasks, you might find other articles on our blog helpful.