Find Your Discount
Resource Central partners with local water districts to offer this Garden In A Box program. Participating water providers offer a limited number of $25 discounts to encourage their residents to save water on their landscapes. These discounts are first come, first served, and are applied at checkout. Anyone can purchase even if discounts are not available to you.
Find out if you qualify for a Garden In A Box water provider discount (or other water-saving programs) with our eligibility quiz below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Garden In A Box and what does it include?
Garden In A Box is an easy, professionally designed low-water perennial garden kit. These kits are intended to encourage replacing unused sections of lawn (grass is a high water plant) with low-water plants to reduce outdoor water usage!
Xeric gardens include starter plants (not seeds) that come in 4-inch pots. We also offer a vegetable garden in the spring and those vegetable starts are in 2-inch pots. Plants will be organized into 2 ft. x 1 ft. trays, and will be hardened-off and ready to plant when you pick them up! *When necessary, Resource Central will select appropriate plant substitutions.
Additionally, gardens include up to three professionally designed plant by number maps that make it easy to install your perennial or vegetable garden. The comprehensive Plant and Care Guide and Garden Info Sheets include planting, watering, and seasonal maintenance suggestions to support you in caring for your new garden.
No, this garden does not come in or with a planter box. It’s just a catchy name for an easy, DIY kit!
Does my Garden In A Box come with or in a planter box?
No. It’s just a catchy name! Your Garden In A Box can easily be planted directly in the ground, a raised bed, or a garden “box,” but the kit does not include an actual box to plant the garden in.
How much sunlight do the plants require?
We offer gardens for full sun, adaptable, and part-shade sun exposures. Full sun gardens require 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day, especially between the hours of noon and 4pm. Part-shade gardens require 4 hours of direct or indirect sunlight per day or periods of full sun but only in the early morning or late evening. Adaptable gardens could handle full sun or part-shade exposure.
What does the 'Native' designation mean?
Native can mean a lot of different things in the gardening world. We use the term native to refer to plants that originate in the Western or Southwestern United States – indicating native to a region. Occasionally we may call out Colorado-specific natives, when applicable.
When are gardens available for purchase?
Generally speaking, our gardens for spring planting go on sale in early March for pick up in May or June. Gardens for fall planting go on sale in mid-June for pick up in August or September.
Am I eligible for a $25 Water Provider discount?
Partnering water districts supply a limited number of $25 discounts to apply to select Garden In A Box kits*. Residents in participating water districts can claim a $25 discount as long as discounts are still available. These discounts are first come, first served and are applied at checkout, if available. Check the Find Your Discount section above the FAQs section to determine your eligibility for this discount.
Whether or not you reside in a participating water district, you may purchase a garden without a discount at an affordable price! There may even be a pickup location near you.
*Note: All Six Packs and the Best of Summer Veggie Garden are not eligible for the $25 discount.
How do I claim my $25 Water Provider discount?
To claim a water provider discount simply select your water provider from the dropdown menu during checkout and click Apply Discount. If discounts still remain for your water provider, the discount will automatically be added to your order. There is a limited supply of discounts for each Water Provider.
Are gardens mailed?
No, we do not ship our gardens. All orders must be picked up at one of our distribution locations across the Front Range. Check this page for details on garden pickups. You will select your pick up date and time during the checkout process.
Where are the Garden In A Box pick up locations? What should I expect at the pickup?
Pickup locations for the 2024 season have not yet been finalized. In the meantime, visit our pickup FAQ page for what to expect at a pickup event.
Can I change my order or pickup date?
Yes, but all changes must be made at least 7 days prior to your pickup date. We cannot guarantee accommodation of your request within 7 days of your pickup date. Call 303-999-3820 ext. 222 or email gardeninfo@resourcecentral.org for all order changes or inquiries.
Will my order fit in my car when I pickup?
Probably, but this will depend on how many gardens you have purchased! We encourage you to clean out your trunk in preparation for your garden pickup. Each garden will come in one or multiple 2 ft. x 1 ft. trays of plants, so please plan accordingly. Gardens are starter plants and printed materials only; kits do not come with a “planter box”.
Can someone else pick up my garden on my behalf?
Absolutely! Just make sure that they know the first and last name on the order and which gardens you ordered. Forwarding your order confirmation or pickup reminder is an easy way to give them this info.
What happens if I miss my pickup event?
Well, shucks! Even after all those reminders, you forgot. It happens. Any unclaimed gardens will be taken back to our office in Boulder for pickup during business hours. If you miss your pickup, we will send you an email the day after your pickup event with instructions on how to pick up your order from our office. Please note: We are not a nursery. We are not set up to care for and water your plants for long stretches of time! Please make every effort to pick up or send a friend to pick up your order quickly!
When should I plant my Garden In A Box?
We recommend planting after the last spring frost date in Colorado, which is usually after May 15th. Fall is also a fabulous time to plant perennials! In the fall, we recommend planting at least a month before the first hard frost date, which is usually early October. No matter the planting season, be sure to check the weather before planting as Colorado is known for its unpredictable weather!
The ideal times of day to plant are in the early morning or in the evening. The cool temperatures and gentle sunlight reduce stress on new plants.
Does Resource Central offer planting services?
Garden In A Box is designed as a do-it-yourself program, and, unfortunately, we do not have the staff capacity to offer planting services. If you are unable to plant your garden for any reason, consider asking a friend, family member, neighbor, or landscaper for assistance! To search for landscapers, try the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado (ALCC) website.
What is your return or refund policy?
We can honor refund requests until 7 business days prior to your requested pickup. We cannot guarantee refunds after that point. Once you have received your garden there are no exchanges or returns. See the Replacement Plant policy below for plant health related issues.
One of my plants died. Can I get a replacement?
Garden In A Box is a living product and we make every effort to provide you with healthy, viable plants at the time of pickup. If a plant you receive is unhealthy, please let us know within 48 hours of your pick up and we will do our best to replace your plant. After 48 hours in your care, we are no longer responsible for the health of the plants. Call 303-999-3820 ext. 222 or email gardeninfo@resourcecentral.org.
Have the plants been treated with neonicotinoids?
No. None of our plants have ever been treated with neonicotinoids.
Can you recommend a landscaper to help with my project?
We cannot recommend specific landscape contractors. Instead, we encourage you to visit the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado website to find a qualified landscape professional in your area.
