Willow Trace

Water Wise...What can we do?

Oct 30, 2003

Spring is right around the corner and we all want the perfect yard, beautiful, peaceful and affordable. But does a drought mean cut back our life, and sacrifice our community. NO! Don?’t think that because we are in a drought that you cannot improve or install you landscaping. In fact we have to take pride in our community and make it stand out and make it beautiful. Willow Trace is our home and we need to all o our part, and a big part is landscaping. But, how? And in a drought?
With these questions in our minds, we thought we would put some helpful tips together, and let everyone know that we have options and alternatives. We all need to get out backyards done and even with a drought, that is not an excuse to look the other way, just reasons to find new ways. So lets start.
v Get a plan together. Where do you want turf? What kind? Do you want a garden? Where? A simple plan will make the process easier.
v Choose the right plants. Most garden centers group xeric plants together. Separate your water-loving plants, such as vegetables, from xeric plants. Or integrate water loving annuals and perennials with vegetables.
v Avoid over watering. Xeric plants often are killed by too much kindness. Remember that many are native to Colorado or originate in arid climates such as the Mediterranean, South Africa or Turkey?—areas similar to our own with cold winters, little rainfall and brisk winds.
Of course you don?’t want to forget to forward your plans to the Design and Review Committee! Once you have the basics down for your landscaping you can focus on what fits your lifestyle, no two people are the same and no two garden are either. So here are some Quick Facts to help you on your way.
Quick Facts...
v Proper planning is the first step in landscaping to reduce water use.
v Terracing slopes reduces runoff.
v Limit irrigated bluegrass turf to small or heavily used areas.
v Soil preparation is a key to water conservation.
v Proper irrigation practices and system design can lead to 30 to 80 percent water savings.
v Mulches help reduce water needs and control weeds.
These facts can help you if you are planting a traditional yard, or are adopting the XeriScaping philosophy. Either way you are improving you home and your community. There are a lot of options out there and no water, city or community is going to stop you from putting in your yards. With proper understanding and simple guidelines it will be easy, and beautiful.
Some example gardens for XeriScaping are located in Aurora at:
Bicentennial Park Municipal Justice Center Saddle Rock Golf Course
You will find these gardens where done with the XeriScaping methodology and they look beautiful and take little to no work or WATER.

And here are some very helpful websites for more information on Colorado Landscaping:
Denver Water at www.denverwater.com for xeriscape tips and www.xeriscape.org for xeric public gardens
www.highcountrygardens.com is a Santa Fe nursery that offers both Colorado and New Mexico xeric plants.
Also here are some helpful websites if you plan on having a professional do the work:
www.servicemagic.com a comprehensive list of landscapers that you can have bid on your project via the Internet
www.troubleshooter.com Tom Martino?’s list you can check referrals and the scumbags.
www.bbb.com source for local information (remember to check under company and owner name for accurate results)
***Remember if you are having a professional come in to get references and verify that they are a legitimate company that is Licensed and Insured. This will really protect you in the long run.
I hope you found these tips on getting that new yard in place helpful, and remember we all need to turn in a Design Plan and get approval before we can implement any new Landscaping projects, just another way we are making Willow Trace the community you want to live in!
The best place to start is right in your backyard. Imagine what you would like, go to the library, get a design consultant, but remember we have options and can make a difficult situation turn in to a beautiful solution.