Denver Residents Prepare For Spring Snowstorm

DENVER (CBS4) - This weekend's spring snow storm may have us seeing downed tree limbs and a lot of cleaning up.

Eleven years ago Saturday, several inches of snow fell on the metro area.

Matt Bigalk takes advantage of the beautiful day Saturday doing yard work. He knows Sunday things could get ugly.

"When I first moved here we had a snow storm in mid-May," Bigalk said. "We had all these branches breaking, so I learned my lesson to get at it early."

Across the street Stelios Cabrera prepares for the worst. Bad news also hit his yard during a spring snow storm.

"It was just like a branch right off here. You can see it's losing some bark, so I might lose that one, but who knows," Cabrera said.

Colder temperatures and heavy snow now being thrown into the mix poses a threat--at a time when flowers are blooming, gardens growing, and fruit trees budding.

"If they're not insulated well enough, those cold temperatures can kill the buds, which means we won't get a fruit harvest," horticulturist Brien Darby said.

Darby suggests brushing the snow off the branches with a broom.

As for smaller plants, she says it's a good idea to throw a frost cloth over them, and bring potted plants inside.

Darby also says a rule of thumb is to begin gardening around May 15, but she has advice for those who already started.

"A device called a cold frame will add extra insulation, so that you can start some of the vegetables that can't handle a little bit of cold," Darby said.

Bigalk plans on covering the tomatoes in his garden, like he always does this time of year.

"It's typical Colorado," Bigalk said. "One day 70 or 80 degrees, the next day snow."

Xcel Energy crews are also on standby this weekend. In case the snow is heavy enough to take branches down into power lines.