Seize the Drought

A Park Hill Roots column

by Marne Norquist

In case you haven’t seen or heard, we are in a severe drought; the worst one in our state’s recorded history, in fact. Over the centuries, we have been brainwashed into thinking that if we have a green lawn, our landscape is “perfect”. This indoctrination has seeped all the way from the other side of the pond to our semiarid, high desert Colorado neighborhoods. From the moist and green and humid European countryside and phenomenal east coast landscape architecture of Fredrick Law Olmsted, the new Americans were able to pursue their European gardening practices with ease. Lucky for them, the climate on the east coast is conducive to green grass, hydrangeas and boxwoods. But, over time, these practices migrated west, where water isn’t so abundant.

In a Stage 2 drought, we are forced to reevaluate our green, or soon-to-be brown, lawns. As of April, watering restrictions were in place and Denver Water will fine rule breakers $250 for the first offense, $500 for the second and even go so far as to install a flow restrictor so they can suspend water usage. But, Denver Water does not want your landscape to be neglected either. You can preserve your landscape. They suggest that you hire an irrigation professional to assess your sprinkler system. This will assist in determining if you have any leaks, if the timer is set properly and if you can update some or all of your system.

One need not have a miniature green pasture in their front yard, one can simply remove their sod. In its place, one can plant a beautiful xeric garden. Or install rock mulches, wood mulches or stone. Don’t be defeated by the lack of water – use this as an opportunity to covert your landscape into a sustainable green space, all while saving water. And while you’re at it, put away the lawn mower, cap the sprinklers, donate the fertilizer, and breathe easier without high maintenance and water-demanding sod.

It doesn’t have to be the whole yard, either. An easy place to start is with your right-of-way or, as we industry folks like to call it, the “hell strip” – the area in between the sidewalk and the street. If you take a minute to look down your street, you will notice that almost all of the hell strips are grass. How wonderful it would be if these were all gardens instead. Raised veggie beds, herbs, xeriscaping and even rocks and mulch are all good alternatives. Don’t think of the water limitations, instead think of all the opportunities there are to create more dynamic and interesting landscapes.

May Gardening Tips

• If you haven’t already done so, aerate your lawn. This allows the water and oxygen to access the roots and promote plant growth.
• If installing a new landscape, go overboard with the soil prep. Amend your soil with 5 or 6 cubic yards of organic compost per 1,000 square feet and till it in about 10″. This will assist in water absorption.
• Mulch your gardens.
• Sow pumpkins, summer & winter squashes and snap peas.
• “Harden off” (acclimate) indoor veggies before transplanting them in the ground.
• Any time after May 20th, annuals color can be planted in containers or beds. We have been known to get a cold snap. If we do, protect your plants by covering them with plastic tarp.
• Fertilize the roses.
•  Prune spring blooming shrubs soon after they are finished blooming. Typically, multi-stemmed shrubs should be pruned from the base (i.e. take about 1/3 of the canes out) to maintain the integrity of its form.
•  Be sure to apply root-stimulating fertilizers (high in the middle number) to any new or transplanted plants.