A stretch of record-breaking warmth this winter and spring may have some Colorado Springs residents tempted to start planting outdoor gardens. Not so fast, say a few experts.

Temperatures are expected to dip well below freezing this weekend, a reminder that spring conditions along the Front Range can be unpredictable. Meteorologists warn that warm daytime highs can be misleading, as overnight lows often tell a different story.

“We warm up a lot during the day, but we can still have really large temperature swings,” said Jaclyn Ehr, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service’s Pueblo office. “It can be really deceiving how warm it gets during the day. We can still drop below freezing at night well into the spring months.”

Ehr said low temperatures in Colorado Springs are forecast to reach the low to mid-20s on Saturday (21 degrees) and Sunday mornings (29). While cold, these conditions are typical for this time of year.

Thursday’s forecast high in Colorado Springs is 74 before a big change Friday, when it’s only expected to reach 49 degrees with a 60% chance of rain and snow showers. Saturday remains chilly with a high around 53 before a Sunday reboun of 69 degrees with sunny skies, according to the Weather Service.

The average freeze date for Colorado Springs is May 8, Ehr said.

“Thats the average, so half of them would occur after that and half of them would occur before,” she said.

For gardeners, that means patience is key.

Laramie Connet, manager at Summerland Gardens on the southwest side of Colorado Springs, said many customers get ahead of the season.

“People get excited and jump the gun, planting too early,” Connet said. “That last frost of the season can kill off all that new growth, so all that hard work is gone.”

As a rule of thumb, Connet recommended waiting until Mother’s Day weekend —  May 9-10 this year — to begin most outdoor planting.

“We’re still in Colorado, so you always have that chance of a very late-season snowstorm,” Connet said.

Some plants are more vulnerable than others. Plants like basil and tomatoes are especially sensitive to cold, while flowers like pansies and violets can better tolerate frost.

For those who have already planted, there are ways to reduce the risk of damage. Covering plants with tarps, sheets or buckets overnight can help trap heat. Potted plants can be moved into garages or placed near buildings, which retain warmth.

“A hard freeze is what we’re most concerned about, which is typically two or more hours at 28 degrees or lower,” Ehr said. “If temperatures just briefly touch 32, that may not be as much of a concern, but sustained cold below 28 can damage vegetation.”

Container plants can be easier to protect, but they also lose heat more quickly than plants in the ground, Connet said. That means gardeners may need to move them indoors during cold nights.

Ehr recommends monitoring forecasts closely in the days leading up to a potential freeze. Even a single cold night can undo weeks of early planting.

Until the risk of frost passes, both meteorologists and gardening professionals agree the smartest approach is to wait.

“Everyone’s excited to start planting,” Connet said. “But wait, wait, wait.”