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Xeriscape: Basics and Converting on a Budget - Aurora, Colorado

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Eric851q
Eric851q

This document provides information about converting landscapes to xeriscape on a budget from the City of Aurora Water Conservation. It discusses free water conservation resources including classes, rebates, audits, and a youth education program. Xeriscaping provides benefits like water conservation, lower bills, reduced maintenance, wildlife habitat and attractiveness. Following the 7 principles of plan/design, practical turf areas, low water plants, soil amendments, mulches, efficient irrigation, and maintenance can create an attractive low water landscape. The document provides tips on plant selection, irrigation, and maintaining a xeriscape. It also discusses the xeriscape rebate program.

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Xeriscape: Basics and Converting on a Budget City of Aurora Water Conservation www.aurorawater.org
Water Conservation Resources  Free Classes (including One-on-One Design Consultations)  Rebates (Xeriscape, Toilet and Washer)  Audits (Indoor and Irrigation System)  HOA Xeriscape Grant  Youth Education Program g  Volunteer Program  Water Smart Readers  Landscape Design Consultations  Large Property Water Efficiency Program  Website: www.aurorawater.org
Xeriscape: The Benefits  Water Conservation (46% or more)  Lower Water Bills  Reduced Maintenance  Attractive (especially in winter months)  Provides habitat for wildlife  Water Rates will continue to increase
How Long to Return Your Investment?
Xeriscape Success Story Water Consumption 35 30 Savings g 0) Gallons (x1000 25 20 65,000 gal/yr 15 10 $333/yr 5 0 Month M th
Xeriscape Success Story
Xeriscape Success Story  Area Converted: 3020 square feet  Cl Classes A Attended: Planning and D i and d d Pl i d Design d Alternatives to Turf  M ti ti to C Motivation t Convert:t Our HOA was converting turf to Xeriscape, our children were out of the house and we don’t live in the right climate for expanses of bluegrass.  On Maintenance: Get out there and check the soil, it’s not more difficult and cutting back a plant once a year sure beats mowing and trimming weeklyweekly.  On Personal Time Commitment: We did the work ourselves. Not loading 30 cubic yards of mulch in an Acura Integra would have saved some time. Consider a phasing plan.
Let s Let’s just get this out of the wayy
This is Not Xeriscape and does not meet city code
7 Fundamental Principles  Plan and Design  Create Practical Turf Areas  Select Low Water Plants  Use Soil Amendments  Use Mulches  Irrigate Efficiently  Maintain the Landscape
The Design We offer free professional landscape designs Our 2 part class  ‘Preparing for your Design Consultation’ Available in Lecture format or Online Registration is not required g q  ‘One-on-One Design Consultation’ Meet with a professional landscape designer (1 hour and 45 minutes) Registration is Required (Completed Site Map, g q ( p p, Photos and Existing Site Survey Required)
Before your One-on-One One on One Choose an area: (Remember to create or keep practical turf areas)  where turf is impractical or not useful p  that needs improvement  where irrigation water is wasted because g of a challenging slope or erosion  ‘preferably’ on separate irrigation zone p y p g Money Savings Tips:  Convert entire irrigation zones g
Name the problems problems…
To Xeriscape or not to Xeriscape
Select Low Water Plants Things to consider:  Spacing - size at planting and maturity  Water and sun requirements  Limit varieties  Color, texture, height, seasonal interest RReproduction: seeds, runners, di i i d ti d division Money Saving Tips:  M t share and t d with N i hb Meet, h d trade ith Neighbors  Box Store Sales  Coupons  Be careful with mail order catalogues
The Plant Pallet  Shurbs  Perennials  Grasses (Ornamental and Turf type)  Trees Evergreen plants to add winter interest
Shrubs Pros  LLonger living li i  Larger  Fall color  Minimal maintenance Cons  Less blooms than perennials
Perennials Pros  C l and texture variety Color d i  Replacement for annuals  Faster growth Cons  Limited winter interest  Most need to be cut back  Reduced coverage
Ornamental Grasses Pros  Great winter interest  Faster Growth  Create movement  Fall Color  S dh d Seed heads  Mimics the native landscape Cons  Require division  Most need to b cut b k d be back
Alternatives to Turf Pros  Reduced water consumption  Limited mowing Cons  Slow to establish  Warm season grasses are dormant more of the year  More susceptible to foot traffic and weeds
Trees Pros  LLonger living li i  Larger  Fall Color  Minimal Maintenance  Create shade  Blooms and Fruit Cons  Initial Cost
Use Soil Amendments Soil Amendments  Add nutrients i  Increase water holding or draining capacity  Increase oxygen availability to the roots Money Saving Tips:  Amend each hole instead of the entire area  Buy in bulk or make your own compost
Use Mulches  Retain soil moisture, inhibit weed growth, slows erosion and prevent evaporation  Organic versus inorganic Money Saving Tips:  FREE city mulch @ D it l h Dawson and H d Hampdend outside Griswold fence  Cover free mulch with more decorative  Do not use fabric
Irrigation  You don’t necessaril ha e to rip out your necessarily have our existing system  Do not water Xeriscape like it is turf!  Use the % function on your clock or change the schedule based on time of year  Go outside and feel the soil at the base of plants  Use the same components throughout the zone  Free Irrigation Audits (CRC 303.999.3820 x217)  I i ti Rebate (50% of M t i l max Irrigation R b t f Materials $300/$2500)  Find and fix leaks  Free Class ‘Irrigation 101’
Maintenance  Remove weeds (annual vs. perennial) RResponsibility of not spreading noxious weeds ibili f di i d in your neighborhood  Ch k i i ti system regularly Check irrigation t l l  Prune, deadhead and divide for perennial and ornamental grass plant health  Compost removed material  W t h for insects, good and b d Watch f i t d d bad  Free Online Class ‘Garden Maintenance’
Xeriscape: Start to Finish  Step by step from turf to an attractive drought tolerant landscape  Start to Finish classes are held at the Aurora Municipal Center Xeriscape Demonstration Garden  No registration or fee is required  Class Dates (April 16th, May 21st, June 11th and July 9th) from 9 – 11 am  Available Online
Xeriscape Rebate  You are now eligible to apply for the rebate  Up to $1 per square foot  Minimum of 500 square feet and maximum of 10,000 (residences) and 25,000 (large properties) ti )  Your application must be approved before you begin work y g  You will pay for the materials and labor and be sent your rebate check approx. 6 weeks after inspection  Visit our website for application and requirements (www.aurorawater.org)
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After
Before and After

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Xeriscape: Basics and Converting on a Budget - Aurora, Colorado

  • 1. Xeriscape: Basics and Converting on a Budget City of Aurora Water Conservation www.aurorawater.org
  • 2. Water Conservation Resources  Free Classes (including One-on-One Design Consultations)  Rebates (Xeriscape, Toilet and Washer)  Audits (Indoor and Irrigation System)  HOA Xeriscape Grant  Youth Education Program g  Volunteer Program  Water Smart Readers  Landscape Design Consultations  Large Property Water Efficiency Program  Website: www.aurorawater.org
  • 3. Xeriscape: The Benefits  Water Conservation (46% or more)  Lower Water Bills  Reduced Maintenance  Attractive (especially in winter months)  Provides habitat for wildlife  Water Rates will continue to increase
  • 4. How Long to Return Your Investment?
  • 5. Xeriscape Success Story Water Consumption 35 30 Savings g 0) Gallons (x1000 25 20 65,000 gal/yr 15 10 $333/yr 5 0 Month M th
  • 7. Xeriscape Success Story  Area Converted: 3020 square feet  Cl Classes A Attended: Planning and D i and d d Pl i d Design d Alternatives to Turf  M ti ti to C Motivation t Convert:t Our HOA was converting turf to Xeriscape, our children were out of the house and we don’t live in the right climate for expanses of bluegrass.  On Maintenance: Get out there and check the soil, it’s not more difficult and cutting back a plant once a year sure beats mowing and trimming weeklyweekly.  On Personal Time Commitment: We did the work ourselves. Not loading 30 cubic yards of mulch in an Acura Integra would have saved some time. Consider a phasing plan.
  • 8. Let s Let’s just get this out of the wayy
  • 9. This is Not Xeriscape and does not meet city code
  • 10. 7 Fundamental Principles  Plan and Design  Create Practical Turf Areas  Select Low Water Plants  Use Soil Amendments  Use Mulches  Irrigate Efficiently  Maintain the Landscape
  • 11. The Design We offer free professional landscape designs Our 2 part class  ‘Preparing for your Design Consultation’ Available in Lecture format or Online Registration is not required g q  ‘One-on-One Design Consultation’ Meet with a professional landscape designer (1 hour and 45 minutes) Registration is Required (Completed Site Map, g q ( p p, Photos and Existing Site Survey Required)
  • 12. Before your One-on-One One on One Choose an area: (Remember to create or keep practical turf areas)  where turf is impractical or not useful p  that needs improvement  where irrigation water is wasted because g of a challenging slope or erosion  ‘preferably’ on separate irrigation zone p y p g Money Savings Tips:  Convert entire irrigation zones g
  • 13. Name the problems problems…
  • 14. To Xeriscape or not to Xeriscape
  • 15. Select Low Water Plants Things to consider:  Spacing - size at planting and maturity  Water and sun requirements  Limit varieties  Color, texture, height, seasonal interest RReproduction: seeds, runners, di i i d ti d division Money Saving Tips:  M t share and t d with N i hb Meet, h d trade ith Neighbors  Box Store Sales  Coupons  Be careful with mail order catalogues
  • 16. The Plant Pallet  Shurbs  Perennials  Grasses (Ornamental and Turf type)  Trees Evergreen plants to add winter interest
  • 17. Shrubs Pros  LLonger living li i  Larger  Fall color  Minimal maintenance Cons  Less blooms than perennials
  • 18. Perennials Pros  C l and texture variety Color d i  Replacement for annuals  Faster growth Cons  Limited winter interest  Most need to be cut back  Reduced coverage
  • 19. Ornamental Grasses Pros  Great winter interest  Faster Growth  Create movement  Fall Color  S dh d Seed heads  Mimics the native landscape Cons  Require division  Most need to b cut b k d be back
  • 20. Alternatives to Turf Pros  Reduced water consumption  Limited mowing Cons  Slow to establish  Warm season grasses are dormant more of the year  More susceptible to foot traffic and weeds
  • 21. Trees Pros  LLonger living li i  Larger  Fall Color  Minimal Maintenance  Create shade  Blooms and Fruit Cons  Initial Cost
  • 22. Use Soil Amendments Soil Amendments  Add nutrients i  Increase water holding or draining capacity  Increase oxygen availability to the roots Money Saving Tips:  Amend each hole instead of the entire area  Buy in bulk or make your own compost
  • 23. Use Mulches  Retain soil moisture, inhibit weed growth, slows erosion and prevent evaporation  Organic versus inorganic Money Saving Tips:  FREE city mulch @ D it l h Dawson and H d Hampdend outside Griswold fence  Cover free mulch with more decorative  Do not use fabric
  • 24. Irrigation  You don’t necessaril ha e to rip out your necessarily have our existing system  Do not water Xeriscape like it is turf!  Use the % function on your clock or change the schedule based on time of year  Go outside and feel the soil at the base of plants  Use the same components throughout the zone  Free Irrigation Audits (CRC 303.999.3820 x217)  I i ti Rebate (50% of M t i l max Irrigation R b t f Materials $300/$2500)  Find and fix leaks  Free Class ‘Irrigation 101’
  • 25. Maintenance  Remove weeds (annual vs. perennial) RResponsibility of not spreading noxious weeds ibili f di i d in your neighborhood  Ch k i i ti system regularly Check irrigation t l l  Prune, deadhead and divide for perennial and ornamental grass plant health  Compost removed material  W t h for insects, good and b d Watch f i t d d bad  Free Online Class ‘Garden Maintenance’
  • 26. Xeriscape: Start to Finish  Step by step from turf to an attractive drought tolerant landscape  Start to Finish classes are held at the Aurora Municipal Center Xeriscape Demonstration Garden  No registration or fee is required  Class Dates (April 16th, May 21st, June 11th and July 9th) from 9 – 11 am  Available Online
  • 27. Xeriscape Rebate  You are now eligible to apply for the rebate  Up to $1 per square foot  Minimum of 500 square feet and maximum of 10,000 (residences) and 25,000 (large properties) ti )  Your application must be approved before you begin work y g  You will pay for the materials and labor and be sent your rebate check approx. 6 weeks after inspection  Visit our website for application and requirements (www.aurorawater.org)