The chilly day reminded me that winter isn’t too far away. The past winter was full of shoveling, putting up with bad drivers, major snow storms, badly plowed side streets, and more shoveling. I couldn’t wait for summer’s arrival. As we get closer to the first day of fall, it feels like summer has come and gone too quickly. That means it’s time to get out often to enjoy the nice weather while it lasts.

It’s also time for predictions of the first snowfall in Denver. I think the first snowfall will be October 30. That’s not counting the snow that falls but melts when it’s a foot above the ground. I’m talking about the first snowfall that will actually stick to the ground in Denver.

For gardeners, we will spend the next few weeks harvesting all our crops and preparing our beds for next spring. There is a lot of work ahead. Some of us will also begin planting our fall bulbs and covering our delicate plants so they will be safe and cozy during the winter. I’m hoping to find some good garden sales in the next few weeks. Most importantly, I need resources for mulch. I planted blueberries this year that will be happy for a good layer of mulch when I mulch the fall bulbs I’ve ordered. Hopefully, I can keep all the weeds pulled so they don’t take over under the snow. In the spring, the weeds had a strong foothold in my garden, so I really had to work hard to clear them out.

Now is the time to make plans for weekend getaways, a few hours being lazy in the sun, or enjoying other summer activities a few more times. We get a lot of sun all year round, but there are quite a few activities that aren’t as pleasant in the sun with the snow on the ground and a chill in the air. One of the things I’d like to do a few times before the summer ends is to sit outside at a restaurant that has an outdoor seating area. I know there are a lot of choices all over Denver, but it’s nice to think about which will provide the most enjoyment of the last few days of summer.

Soon enough it will be time to get the fall sweaters and jackets and winter clothes out of the closet. We’ll have to bundle up soon enough and begin looking at indoor activities. Of course, there are a lot of people that enjoy skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports, so they’ll be quite happy with the cold and snow. I will be sad to see my garden go. I will also be sad to see less daylight. Maybe fall and winter will pass quickly, then spring will be just around the corner.

Upcoming events: The Denver Botanic Gardens will be having a FREE admission day on Monday, September 17 for Colorado residents.
Here’s one I’ve missed, but hope to check it out this week. At the Civic Center Park, Broadway and Colfax, there is a Civic Center Cafe and Outdoor Market. It features live music and outdoor cafe every Wednesday at 11 a.m. until Sept 26.