DIRT WORK

Colorado gardeners are a special breed. They plant tomatoes with one eye on the sky, lose basil to a May snowstorm, curse loudly, and then turn right around and do it all again the next year.

The growing season in the foothills and Front Range is short but surprisingly productive. Most communities sit between 5,500 and 7,000 feet, which means last frost can linger well into mid-May. Annoying, but true. The good news: 300 days of sunshine means plants that do take hold grow fast, strong, and flavorful. The key is using springtime wisely, before a single seed hits soil.

Build the Right Box

Raised beds are the move for Colorado gardeners, full stop. Native soil here tends to be clay-heavy and slow to warm — no bueno. A raised planter box lets you control the variables that matters.

Shoot for a bed at least 12 inches deep, 18 inches if you're growing carrots or beets, those underground overachievers. Keep the width at 4 feet so every plant stays reachable without stepping in and compacting the soil. Cedar is the top wood choice. It handles wild temperature swings without warping and resists rot naturally. Worth the few extra bucks. Definitely avoid treated lumber if you’re growing food.

Fill It Right, Then Prep It

Do not, under any circumstances, just fill your bed with native soil and hope for the best. Go with roughly 60% topsoil, 30% compost, and 10% perlite for drainage. That mix gives roots room to breathe in Colorado's notoriously dry climate. Finish with a layer of straw mulch on top — come July, when the afternoon sun is absolutely cooking everything in sight, you'll look like a genius.

Your March To-Do List

Pull back old mulch so the soil can start warming up. Add 2–3 inches of fresh compost. Check your drip lines before you need them. And start cool-season crops indoors now — broccoli, kale, and lettuce can go under lights today and transplant out in late April.

Just don't get cocky with the warm-season stuff. No tomatoes until late May. Colorado will humble you every single time. Now get your hands dirty. Spring isn't waiting around.

TRAILHEAD

Don't let the short distance fool you. The Mount Morrison Trail packs 2,000 feet of elevation gain into just 3.8 miles. It starts steep and stays that way, with the first mile alone climbing 1,000 feet, before finishing with a hands-and-feet scramble to the summit. The payoff is hard to beat: sweeping views of Red Rocks Amphitheater and downtown Denver laid out below like a well deserved reward. Give it a few more days though — snow and mud are still very much on the menu up there. Worth the wait.

CREW CONTRIBUTION

Foothill Crew runs on curiosity, strong coffee, and the occasional delusion that people actually want to read about local history on a Tuesday morning. Turns out, some of you do. Your contributions go directly toward keeping Foothill Crew alive and well — a few bucks goes a long way. We appreciate any and all support!

THE BRIEFING

SUNRISE 7:07 AM
SUNSET 7:11 PM

SNOW FORECAST: No storms in sight

PROPERTY: Evergreen home w/ room for the whole fam (and then some)

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TUESDAY

Colorado Tap House, Arvada- Nomadic Fire Mobile Sauna, 5-9pm. Sweat out the green beers

North Table Mountain, Golden- JeffCo Mountain Bike Club Weekly Ride, 5:30pm. Warm one today

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Golden Beer Talks: Space Resources w/ Dr. James Johnson, 6pm. Expand your mind

WEDNESDAY

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

Deep Roots Winery, Golden- Book Club, 6:30-9pm. Check it out

THURSDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Cheese Night w/ Cheese Ranch, 5-10pm. Beer pairings

Mountain Home, Evergreen- March Mixology Workshop, 5:30-9:30pm. Signature Cocktails

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Film Series: Jeff Lowe’s Metanoia, 6-8pm. First ascents

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night 👇️ 

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Almost Famous Open Mic Night, starting at 7pm

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: 80 Proof Alice, 6-9pm. High energy

Mad Macks Brewing, Golden- Comedy Show, 7pm. Snag a seat

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- Almighty Open Mic Night, 7pm

FRIDAY

LUKI Brewery, Arvada- Sourdough Pop-Up, 4-7pm. Fresh bread

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, 5pm. Yummy

Ovation West, Evergreen- Sounds of Silents show, 6:30pm. Tix

SATURDAY

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Mind Body Beer

Aspen Peak Cellars, Bailey- Barrel Room Tasting Experience, 12pm. More deets

Sundance Gardens, Evergreen- Plant-a-Pot Workshop, 1-2pm. Green thumb

Mt Vernon Canyon Club, Golden- Evergreen Chamber Orchestra Concert Series, 3-5pm. Get your tickets

Buffalo Rose, Golden- That Eighties Band Live, 8pm. Hit the dance floor

Goosetown Station, Golden- Mighty Holler Bluegrass, 6:30pm. Have fun

SUNDAY

Long Lake Park, Arvada- Yoga in the Park, 12-1pm. Get out there

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

MONDAY

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

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See you around the next bend!