Planning A WaterWise Landscape

1. Planning and Design: Start by selecting an area of your yard to overhaul. This doesn’t have to mean replacing your entire lawn – consider areas that are unused or non-functional for your home or business. If you only set foot on a stretch of grass when you mow it, it is likely a great candidate for an H2Overhaul. Evaluate your existing irrigation system as part of your plan and consider if your target area can easily be converted to a drip system. Once you have an area in mind, use our sample landscape designs and plan suggestions from Plant Select to create your own dream design.

2. Plants & Alt Turf: Once you have a design in place, pick out water-wise plants that fit your environment and budget. Consider how much sunlight, foot traffic and water your target area receives. To maximize your savings, consider perennials with similar watering needs for long-term and low-maintenance success. PlantSelect.org is a great local resource with information on a wide variety of plants that have been tested for their suitability in Colorado’s growing conditions

3. Remove Your Turf: If you have a section of existing lawn you’d like to remove and replace with water-wise garden or native grass, roll up your sleeves and get started by marking out your turf area to be removed. Choose between physical removal, covering and chemical options to effectively remove your sod, or take advantage of discounts for Thornton Water customers with Resource Central’s Lawn Removal Service.

4. Soil Prep & Planting: Prepare your soil with organic amendments, such as a combination of grass clippings, leaves, compost and/or top soil, to help your new plants thrive. Use a spade, pitchfork or rototiller and thoroughly mix in the material until it is at least 6 inches deep. When your soil is ready for planting, follow our planting steps to set up your new plants for long-term success!

5. Water-wise irrigation: Maximize watering efficiency in your yard by ensuring you have the right kind of irrigation in different areas of your water-wise landscape. If you need help testing your water system, sign up for a free sprinkler consultation through Resource Central. These water experts will help ensure you are following Thornton’s Water Use Rules, which are in effect from April 1 – October 31, and will provide guidelines on how to water efficiently and still have a beautiful, thriving landscape.

6. Mulching: Mulch will help protect your hard work by insulating the soil, protecting from erosion and conserving moisture. It can also slow weed growth, reduce soil compaction and give your landscape a polished, cohesive look. Find the right medium for your landscape and lay down your mulch about 3 inches deep, being careful to leave a few inches of space away from plant stems and trunks. We recommend laying layers of newspaper or cardboard under the mulch in newly planted beds to help reduce weed growth.

7. Maintenance: Once your new landscape is in the ground and growing, follow Thornton Water’s seasonal landscaping checklist and tactical upkeep tips to keep your plants happy and healthy for many years to come.

Sign up for the Annual WaterWise Garden Open House! June 21, from 9 – 11 a.m.