H2Overcoming Landscape Barriers
Replacing a bluegrass lawn with a low-water, low-maintenance water-wise garden seems like a no-brainer to many people who live through the dry, hot summers of Colorado. Yet, when we look around at our neighborhoods, lawns are still the norm. Oftentimes, the thought of a landscape transformation is daunting – you may be concerned about the cost of replacing a portion of lawn with a water-wise garden or you don’t know where to start. Read on to find out how some Thornton residents have tackled their biggest barriers to make their water-wise landscape dream come true.
Download your H2Overhaul kit today or watch a step-by-step video on how to transform your yard into a diverse, beautiful landscape.
Creating a design
The idea of creating a water-wise garden landscape design might sound overwhelming. However, Thornton Water is partnering with Resource Central to offer the Garden In A Box program. This program offers professionally-designed, water-wise garden kits that are tailor-made for Colorado yards. These dable, plant-by-number gardens are easy to use and will get your yard looking gorgeous and saving water in no time.
Removing turf
Sod Cutter. A sod cutter uses a wide-narrow blade that swings back and forth just below root level, cuts swiftly, and severs roots, clearing a swath in one swift pass. After cutting, the next step is to roll up and remove the sod. This method can be finished in a couple hours. You will have to locate a place that will take your sod. Sod is too heavy for trash cans.
Solarization. Cover turf with a plastic sheet during hot summer months. This method can take up to six weeks to six months and only works in hot, sunny areas. It is a slow method and not very visually appealing. If you live in an HOA neighborhood, consult your HOA for approval.
Lasagna Gardening. Cover your turf by layering it with newspaper or cardboard and organic matter, such as compost. This method will take about six months.
Vinegar. Do-it-yourself vinegar application works in hot conditions and is not ideal for large areas. Vinegar can be purchased from a garden center or online, and must have a concentration of 20%. Apply to the area and let it sit for 3 to 4 days, if grass still has not died, reapply. Once grass starts to die, you will have to remove it with a shovel or a garden hoe.
Converting a sprinkler zone to a drip zone
Locate your existing lines and determine what sprinkler heads can be capped off or converted. Mark each sprinkler that will be converted with a flag. Make sure to shut off your sprinkler system at the irrigation clock and backflow before starting the conversion. Check out our new video to help you with converting your sprinkler zone to a drip zone.
Choose the valve that currently irrigates the area you are converting to drip.
You will have to do some modifications to your existing valve to ensure irrigation pressure is at the proper range for worry free irrigation.
