Xeriscape: Basics and Converting Xeriscape: Basics and Converting on a Budget

City of AuroraWater Conservation www.aurorawater.org

Water Conservation Resources Water Conservation Resources

Free Classes (including One-on-One Design Consultations)Consultations)

Rebates (Xeriscape, Toilet and Washer) Audits (Indoor and Irrigation System)Audits (Indoor and Irrigation System) HOA Xeriscape Grant Youth Education Programg Volunteer Program Water Smart Readers Landscape Design Consultations Large Property Water Efficiency Program Website: www.aurorawater.org

Xeriscape: The Benefits Xeriscape: The Benefits

Water Conservation (46% or more)Water Conservation (46% or more)

Lower Water Bills

Reduced Maintenance Reduced Maintenance

Attractive (especially in winter months)

Provides habitat for wildlife Provides habitat for wildlife

Water Rates will continue to increase

How Long to Return Your Investment?

Xeriscape Success StoryXeriscape Success Story

Water Consumption

3035

0) Savings

152025

ns (x1000

g

65,000 gal/yr

05

10

Gall

o $333/yr

M thMonth

Xeriscape Success StoryXeriscape Success Story

Xeriscape Success StoryXeriscape Success Story

Area Converted: 3020 square feet

Cl A d d Pl i d D i d Classes Attended: Planning and Design and Alternatives to Turf

M ti ti t C t Motivation to Convert: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 weeklya plant once a year sure beats mowing and trimming weekly.

On Personal Time Commitment:We did the work ourselves. Not loading 30 cubic yards of mulch in an 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 just get this out Let s just get this out of the wayy

This is Not Xeriscape This is Not Xeriscape and does not meet city code

7 Fundamental Principles 7 Fundamental Principles

Plan and DesignPlan and Design

Create Practical Turf Areas

Select Low Water PlantsSelect Low Water Plants

Use Soil Amendments

Use MulchesUse Mulches

Irrigate Efficiently

Maintain the LandscapeMaintain the Landscape

The DesignThe 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 requiredg q

‘One-on-One Design Consultation’

Meet with a professional landscape 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-OneBefore your One on One

Choose an area: (Remember to create or keep Choose an area: (Remember to create or keep practical turf areas)

where turf is impractical or not usefulp

that needs improvement

where irrigation water is wasted because gof a challenging slope or erosion

‘preferably’ on separate irrigation zonep y p g

Money Savings Tips:

Convert entire irrigation zonesg

Name the problemsName the problems…

To Xeriscape or not to XeriscapeTo Xeriscape or not to Xeriscape

Select Low Water Plants

Things to consider:

Spacing - size at planting and maturity Spacing - size at planting and maturity

Water and sun requirements

Limit varieties Limit varieties

Color, texture, height, seasonal interest

R d ti d di i i Reproduction: seeds, runners, division

Money Saving Tips:

M t h d t d ith N i hb Meet, share and trade with Neighbors

Box Store Sales

Coupons

Be careful with mail order catalogues

The Plant PalletThe Plant Pallet

ShurbsShurbs

Perennials

Grasses (Ornamental and Turf type)Grasses (Ornamental and Turf type)

Trees

Evergreen plants to add winter interest

ShrubsShrubs

Pros

L li i Longer living

Larger

Fall color

Minimal maintenance

Cons

Less blooms than perennials

PerennialsPerennials

Pros

C l d i Color and texture variety

Replacement for annuals

Faster growth

Cons

Limited winter interest

Most need to be cut back

Reduced coverage

Ornamental GrassesOrnamental GrassesPros

Great winter interest Great winter interest

Faster Growth

Create movement Create movement

Fall Color

S d h d Seed heads

Mimics the native landscape

CCons

Require division

d b b k Most need to be cut back

Alternatives to TurfAlternatives to TurfPros

Reduced water Reduced water consumption

Limited mowingLimited mowing

Cons

Slow to establish Slow to establish

Warm season grasses are dormant more of the yeardormant more of the year

More susceptible to foot traffic and weedstraffic and weeds

TreesTrees

Pros

L li i Longer living

Larger

Fall Color

Minimal Maintenance

Create shade

Blooms and Fruit

Cons

Initial Cost

Use Soil AmendmentsUse Soil Amendments

Soil Amendments

Add i Add nutrients

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 MulchesUse Mulches Retain soil moisture, inhibit weed growth,

slows erosion and prevent evaporation Organic versus inorganic

Money Saving Tips:FREE it l h @ D d H d FREE city mulch @ Dawson and Hampden outside Griswold fence Cover free mulch with more decorativeCover free mulch with more decorative Do not use fabric

Irrigation

You don’t necessaril ha e to rip out our You don’t necessarily have to rip out your existing system

Do not water Xeriscape like it is turf! Do not water Xeriscape like it is turf!

Use the % function on your clock or change the schedule based on time of yearschedule based on time of year

Go outside and feel the soil at the base of plants

Use the same components throughout the zone Use the same components throughout the zone

Free Irrigation Audits (CRC 303.999.3820 x217)

I i ti R b t (50% f M t i l Irrigation Rebate (50% of Materials max $300/$2500)

Find and fix leaks Find and fix leaks

Free Class ‘Irrigation 101’

Maintenance Maintenance

Remove weeds (annual vs. perennial)

R ibili f di i d Responsibility of not spreading noxious weeds in your neighborhood

Ch k i i ti t l l Check irrigation system regularly

Prune, deadhead and divide for perennial and ornamental grass plant health ornamental grass plant health

Compost removed material

W t h f i t d d b d Watch for insects, good and bad

Free Online Class ‘Garden Maintenance’

Xeriscape: Start to FinishXeriscape: Start to Finish

Step by step from turf to an attractive 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 RebateXeriscape Rebate

You are now eligible to apply for the rebate Up to $1 per square footUp to $1 per square foot Minimum of 500 square feet and maximum of

10,000 (residences) and 25,000 (large ti )properties)

Your application must be approved before you begin worky g You will pay for the materials and labor and be

sent your rebate check approx. 6 weeks after inspectioninspection Visit our website for application and

requirements (www.aurorawater.org)

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After

Before and AfterBefore and After