A City of Englewood water customer brings a bit of nature to the city with the Lawn Replacement program!
I hope you all enjoyed the wintery photos from January’s blog post, but it’s time to return to our regularly scheduled programming here at the Waterwise Community Field Blog. Today, we’re introducing Cassandra and her low-water yard. We met last summer to discuss her ongoing waterwise landscaping project.
Cassandra has taken advantage of Resource Central’s Lawn Replacement program for two years in a row, accessing Garden In A Box kits using the DIY lawn removal option (discounted through our partnership with the City of Englewood!). Even in the short year and a half since 2024 planting, her waterwise yard has grown in so well!
We took a tour of the garden before retreating inside to beat the afternoon heat. She explains that “renaturing” her yard has allowed her to enjoy more time outside. “We come hang out here and look at all the different pollinators that come through. With grass, it can be hard to get into being outside. This gives me a chance to just come out and watch the bees, do some weeding.” She also sees her yard as an accessible opportunity to teach kids about nature and the outdoors from the comfort of their neighborhood.
Before we head inside, she points out a unique benefit of her garden. “One thing that I notice the most is the smell. Coming outside and smelling the difference [versus a grass yard] is amazing!”
Inside, Cassandra and her husband reflect on the very beginning of their project. Coming in at a grand total of 1,000 square feet, it was no small feat! But they see it as a long-term investment that will provide more benefits and water savings than keeping the grass. “In the long run, we knew we were going to be saving a lot of water. Our neighbors thought we were crazy at first. I think they were scared when they saw all the grass removed. But they love it now!”
They know that their huge redesign might not be an option for many people. With a laugh, they emphasize, “You don’t have to start that way! We’ve seen a couple of other houses nearby with just a small patch [of waterwise gardening]. Even a small piece really makes a difference, and that’s what we really like about Garden In A Box. You can just take it one area at a time if you’d like.”
One other feature of Garden In A Box kits that Cassandra loves is the plant-by-number maps. They chose to go off script with their planting to suit the features of their yard and incorporate hardscaping, but the maps are more than just a basic planting template. Rather than presenting the only planting option, “they’re perfect to learn how plants complement each other with height, spread, bloom time, and color.”
One challenge for Cassandra was learning what a weed was and what wasn’t. She recalls accidentally pulling out one of the waterwise plants, one of only two plant losses since starting. But even that moment led to a solution. “What really helped was labeling them, but you learn over time. It was also really cool that we’d put the labels right by them. Then later, you come back, and they’re buried beneath all the growth!”
I hope to swing by this year and see how things are shaping up in year three of the garden. Thanks for tuning in, and see you next time!
-Garrett
At Resource Central, we believe that we can build a resilient and waterwise Colorado together through local action on a massive scale.
The individuals featured in this blog series are only snapshots of the work that’s being done by so many Coloradans to work toward that goal. So, whether you’re just starting to improve your water efficiency, are a seasoned low-water gardener, or are reading this blog and learning about waterwise gardening for the first time, thank you for joining us in creating a more waterwise future.
Are you interested in sharing your story or know of someone who would be great to feature? Email me with details!
And don’t forget! You can always find more inspiring stories using the Waterwise Communities tag on our blog page!
