Spring is right around the corner! It’s time for you to start planning your waterwise landscape. In order to begin, here are a few things to consider while you wait for the last frost.
Sun Exposure: First, take a look at your yard throughout the day and see which areas are in full sun and which areas are shaded. This will change as the day goes on and even as the seasons change so be sure to check a couple of times a day. Once you know the sun exposure in your yard, you can better decide which low-water flowers should be in your garden.
Water: Next, check out your sprinklers. Does your system poorly cover some areas? Maybe there are places that you can’t keep green no matter how much you water? Are you watering grass in a forgotten/rarely used area? These are great questions to consider for your waterwise landscape placement. There’s no reason to fight the elements. Note, that it is ideal to convert a full zone so as not to overwater your flowers or underwater your grass.
Soil: Now that you have some good spots in mind, we recommend doing a soil test. Soil testing is easy and helps determine what is already in your soil in case you need to do any amending. Luckily, most soils don’t need any amending. You can do an at-home test yourself or send a soil sample to Colorado State University. Read more tips here!
Planning: If you’d like to learn more, check out Waterwise Yard Seminars in March and April. Professionals landscapers will discuss landscape design, rain barrels, plant selection, and so much more. All seminars are online and free to the public, register now!
The New Norm in Colorado
Dig into WaterWiseYards.org, our website dedicated to sustainable landscaping and making vibrant warewise yards the new norm in Colorado. We have resources for lawn removal, inspiration for what your yard can look like, and some helpful videos and pictures from neighbors in your area. Once your project is complete, you can submit it to the website for us to feature! Don’t forget the Resource Library, it has everything from tip sheets to native plant databases and nurseries to irrigation help!
With all of these tips and resources, you can start planning with confidence. Daydream about the spring and start planning now. The sooner you have your design in place, the sooner you can get those plants in the ground!
