With watering restrictions beginning to roll out across Colorado, many gardeners are feeling a mix of uncertainty, confusion, and eagerness to do the “right thing” as we head into what could be one of the driest seasons on record. This season may feel uncertain, but it’s also a meaningful opportunity to rethink how our landscapes work in Colorado’s climate. It’s not too late to plan a more resilient yard with Garden In A Box.
Can I still plant a garden in a drought?
How much water will it need?
How can I water my yard efficiently and responsibly this summer?
Questions like these are peppering our inboxes and conversations in our neighborhoods. We’re here to share some clear guidance around those exact questions.
Please note: Watering restrictions vary across the state and will be changing throughout this spring and summer. Always follow your local water provider or municipality’s watering restrictions for all outdoor water use above other guidance (even ours!). Check their website for current rules and updates.
Can I still plant a garden this year?
Yes—with a few smart considerations.
Even with current restrictions, many water providers are treating gardens, trees, and perennials differently than lawns. While restrictions primarily focus on reducing lawn irrigation and halting new sod installs (high water landscapes), perennial gardens are generally still allowed to be watered before 10AM or after 6PM.
While they may require a bit more attention during their first season, waterwise gardens like Garden In A Box are designed to use less water as they mature year to year, making them a smart investment for the predictably dry years ahead. Planting waterwise gardens coupled with reducing the amount of irrigated lawn in your yard – with programs like Lawn Replacement – is a great way to max out water savings for the future of your yard!
How much water does a new perennial garden actually need to get established?
We encourage you to aim for about 1/2 to 1 gallon of water a week for each perennial plant during their initial growing season. However, the specific amount of water your plants require will depend on your unique site conditions (soil type, wind conditions, sun exposure etc.).
The initial establishment phase following planting is about 4-8 weeks and is primarily focused on regular (every 2-4 days) waterings to ensure strong, steady root growth. Prioritizing deep but infrequent watering helps create drought resilient plants by gently encouraging plants to develop deep roots not shallow ones.
After this initial establishment stage, the Garden In A Box Plant & Care Guide offers watering recommendations that provide baseline suggestions for peak and off-peak seasons during year 1 to year 3, when they reach maturity.
What’s the best way to water my gardens right now?
Currently, many of the restrictions around outdoor watering have exemptions for both hand-watering and drip irrigation. This time of year, hand-watering is going to be your best friend as it’s generally not recommended to turn on your sprinkler system until mid to late May due to the chance of overnight freezing. Whether watering by hand or drip system, you must stick to watering before 10am or after 6pm when watering will be the most efficient.
Once your irrigation system is turned on for the season, the Garden In A Box team recommends a drip irrigation system as the most efficient and convenient method for irrigating your low-water perennial beds. This may entail retrofitting an in-ground system to have a drip zone or it may involve setting up a drip system off of a hose bib with a timer. Of course hand-watering works too it’s just a bit less convenient for the average person.
Of course, always follow your local water provider’s watering rules and refer to their website for up to date rules and exemptions.
Waterwise gardening isn’t just a response to drought. It’s a long-term approach to building more resilient and adaptable urban landscapes with the conditions we know will continue. While new gardens do require thoughtful watering during their first season, they are designed to need less water over time, especially when compared to traditional bluegrass lawns. Pairing low-water gardens with reducing lawn area, and practicing efficient irrigation methods, are some of the most impactful ways to set your yard up for future water savings. If you’ve been considering making the shift, this is still a great time to start.
