Know when to plant

DENVER (KDVR) — Colorado homeowners spend an average of $1,500 to $5,500 on landscaping projects. While Mother’s Day is the unofficial time to start planting, experts say it’s important to monitor the weather.

Landscape expert Trella Phelps of City Flower Conservatory and Garden Center told FOX31 Problem Solvers that Colorado’s unique climate can be tricky.

“A lot of people seem to confuse cities with mountains. They think we have a lot of snow, but instead what we have is a big snowstorm like the one we just mentioned. It’s about having a storm and then being completely dry for a long period of time,” Phelps said.

Spring Planting in Colorado: What You Need to Know

Plants that are potted or already in the ground need to be watered regularly.

“If the temperature is below 70 degrees, you want to make sure your plants are moist, not soggy,” Phelps says.

Anyone planting a garden can save money by using seeds instead of finished plants. Hardy varieties such as cabbage and pansies are more likely to withstand changes in the weather.

When planning your landscaping, limit your purchases early in the season.

“[Some people]get so excited that they get so many things that they don’t plant them in time, and they are left on the balcony for several days, dry out, and get lost. I want to work on it in small increments that I can work on in small increments and keep coming back and doing more,” Phelps said.

To protect your investment, cover your plants with frost protection and other materials that protect them from the elements and increase warmth.

“Normally, it’s not the snow that freezes; in fact, the snow warms us, but it’s the crushing weight of heavy snow that kills plants,” Phelps says.

To increase the value of your home, choose low-maintenance landscaping. Decks and patios expand the living space of your home, and good outdoor lighting is appealing to buyers.