This summer’s sizzling temps are scorching our lawns and inflating our utility bills, yet we continue to pour water (and money) into grass lawns that can’t handle the heat. So far, Boulder has mostly stayed off the drought map, but that line is creeping closer. And our luck, like our lawns, is starting to dry up.

Walking across crispy yards and hearing the continuous sounds of sprinklers reminds me that Kentucky bluegrass isn’t what Colorado landscapes are meant to look like. If your sprinkler system is working overtime to keep your grass alive, you may not be surprised to learn that over 50% of residential water use in the Front Range goes to outdoor irrigation, and most of that is spent on traditional turf lawns (Colorado State University Extension).

When you look around your neighborhood and consider how many lawns are struggling in this climate, that’s a lot of water, resources, and money being wasted. And in this economy, no one wants to throw money away on grass that’s not meant for our climate.

So, what can you do that’s good for your wallet, conservation, and the community? Start by making small changes to help reduce your outdoor water use.

Look around your yard. Maybe there’s a slope in your backyard that’s a pain to mow or a sidewalk strip that’s become the neighborhood dog hangout. Those are perfect spots to begin replacing thirsty turf with a low-water landscape.

These small changes to your landscape have a big impact over time. Since 1976, Resource Central’s water conservation programs have helped save more than two billion gallons of water across Colorado. It’s not about removing your yard, but rethinking the areas that don’t fit your lifestyle and are a drain on the environment. At Resource Central, we’re making it easy and affordable to make these water-saving changes, in partnership with local water providers and municipalities.

• Through the City of Boulder, homeowners are eligible for lawn removal services with projects as small as 200 sq ft (about a one-car garage) and as large as your entire yard. Our nonprofit’s friendly team also composts the grass, leaving you with a fresh slate for a low-water garden. Learn more by visiting ResourceCentral.org/lawn.
• Boulder residents are also eligible for a free Slow the Flow Sprinkler Evaluation, which helps you learn how to run them more efficiently and waste less water. Appointments before the end of the season are filling quickly — you can sign up for a free sprinkler evaluation at ResourceCentral.org/sprinklers.
• Did you know that late summer is an excellent time for planting? August and September are ideal for planting perennials — plants that grow back each year. With benefits like warmer soil for rapid root growth and shorter days for less transplant shock, your garden gets a head start on blooming in the spring. Our nonprofit can help you get started with our popular Garden In A Box kits. They include professionally designed plant-by-number maps, making it easy to replace grass with vibrant plants, giving you instant curb appeal. Check out our collection of waterwise gardens at ResourceCentral.org/shop.
• If you’re looking for expert advice on low-water landscapes, we also offer free online Waterwise Yard Seminars with local landscapers and master gardeners to get you started with low-water and firewise landscaping, irrigation conversion, and many more DIY resources. ResourceCentral.org/seminars.

We can’t control the weather or utility rates, but we can all make incremental changes to help save water. Swapping a small patch of thirsty grass for low-water plants, optimizing your sprinkler system, and planting a low-water Garden In A Box kit can all add up to a big conservation impact. There’s no better time to make waterwise landscapes the norm in Colorado, and we’re here to make it easy.  — Neal Lurie, Resource Central President & CEO