Some people may think that you need a ton of water to maintain a beautiful Denver landscape design. But this isn’t exactly true.
While water is beneficial for plants in such an arid environment, you don’t need to waste time, money, and our natural resources by practicing poor water management in your outdoor space.
In fact, some of the most beautiful Denver landscape feature water conservation strategies that are easy to implement, and over time, can even save you on time and money.
Here, we’re taking a closer look at the importance of water conservation and how you can work to conserve more water while maintaining a beautiful Colorado landscape design.
Just because we live in an arid environment doesn’t mean that you can’t have a lush and vibrant landscape by finding smart water strategies for your outdoor space.
Why is Water Conservation So Important?
Now more than ever, conserving our natural resources needs to be everyone’s priority.
Whether you own a luxurious multi-acre property or a snug condo downtown, water conservation should be on your mind.
Without a doubt, water is the most important resource on our planet. Every single form of life (ours included, of course) relies heavily on water for survival. Why do you think so many major cities and urban areas are situated on coasts or rivers?
However, with a steadily increasing global population, widespread pollution, and the effects of climate change, our global water systems are under threat.
Thus, if you can do your part to conserve water on your property, you’ll be making a positive impact on your local (and the global) environment.
5 Ways to Conserve Water in Your Colorado Landscape Design
Xeriscaping has quickly become one of the most popular landscaping trends in recent years. Especially in dry, arid regions like Colorado or California, xeriscaping can help you maintain a beautiful yard and garden while conserving and limiting your water usage.
Contrary to some opinions, xeriscaping doesn’t mean you need to turn your landscape design into a desert. Rather, xeriscaping encourages homeowners to use water wisely in ways that imitate the amount and type of precipitation the local environment would normally receive.
For example, utilizing the practice of xeriscaping, a landscape in the arid desert of Las Vegas would utilize more local flora, such as cacti or other drought-resistant plants, instead of importing thirsty, non-native grasses that not only require far more water, but also clash with the surrounding environment.
Thus, using water wisely for your Colorado landscape can be seen as a method of working with your environment—not against it.
Ready to get started? Here are 5 ways to conserve water with your landscape design:
1. Choose native plants: when selecting the plants, trees, and shrubs for your landscape, always try to go native. Native plants have evolved for hundreds of thousands of years to adapt to your surrounding climate. Thus, not only can they help you conserve water, but they’re also proven to survive better in your local environment. Native plants are used to the amount of rainfall normally received in your region and can even serve as a home or food source for local wildlife, helping to make your outdoor space more sustainable and eco-friendly.
2. Switch out your groundcover: while many of us fall in love with the classic vision of a wide and lush green lawn covering our landscape, you don’t always need grass everywhere. In fact, some of the most innovative and creative landscapes utilize a variety of groundcover options (plus, lawns are some of the most significant water consumers for any part of your home—indoors or out). Instead of using ornamental grasses throughout your yard, try including some drought-tolerant groundcover, such as clover, lilyturf, or native grasses to Colorado like bluestem. You can also mix in gravel or brick walkways to add a dynamic look to your space.
3. Water deeply: a quick spray from your hose usually won’t be enough to reach the entire root system for your yard. Even a timed irrigation system, which usually runs for about 15 minutes a day, may not be enough and this form of “shallow” watering can even end up wasting you water. Instead, opt for the practice of deep watering, which will require far less water in the long run and encourage strong, healthy roots deeper in the ground. A better lawn and saving water—what’s better?
4. Do the finger check: for all your pots and containers, make sure you’re performing a quick finger check before watering your potted plants or flowers again. The first two to three inches of soil should be dry before you need to water again. You can also use this simple finger check for your flower beds and raised beds. You’ll be amazed at how less water you’ll really end up needing.
5. Maintain your irrigation system: older sprinklers and irrigation systems are notorious for wasting water due to leaks. To prevent this simple waste of water, be sure to regularly maintain and repair your irrigation system.
Conclusion – 5 Ways to Conserve Water in Your Colorado Landscape Design
Even though Colorado receives a significant amount of winter snowfall, the state is still considered an arid environment.
Dry conditions and a calendar year boasting nearly 300 days of sun means that Colorado can be a perfect environment for certain landscapes, but you need to be smart about how you use your water for your landscape and garden design.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to entirely cut out irrigation from your yard, but you should develop a smart, water-wise plan to benefit both your yard and the surrounding environment.
There are several effective and easy ways to converse water in your Colorado garden These include methods such as choosing water-wise plants, watering deeply, and switching out groundcover to reduce the amount of water-thirsty grass.
Not only will these landscaping decisions save on water and costs, but they will also help you preserve our precious natural resources and minimize your impact on the local environment.
