In Colorado, drought conditions are not uncommon. There are many years with below normal precipitation. Common droughts last six months or less and happen nearly every year. The most devastating are multi-year droughts. As soil dries, so does vegetation. Without moisture to bind soil together, blowing winds erode top soils, wells go dry and water reserves are quickly depleted.

A long-term drought impacts agriculture, recreation, wildlife and people. With a surge in the Front Range’s population in the past 25 years, the demand for water has gone up—causing many municipalities to implement water restrictions. Home landscapes can use up to 50 percent of household water, but steps can be taken to reduce high water usage in your yard. In an existing landscape, it’s possible to make changes in plant material and watering practices with financial benefits for the homeowner.

First, determine how much turfgrass is in the yard. Ask yourself if it’s necessary to have that amount, or could it be reduced and replaced with a mulched garden area with plant material that won't require as much water. What variety is the turfgrass and what are the traffic patterns and usage of the lawn? High water-using turf, such as bluegrass, tolerates wear, and because of it=s growth habit, will fill in worn areas quickly. A low water-use grass, such as buffalo grass, grows slowly and won't fill in worn spots easily.

Encourage deep roots by watering grass less frequently but to a lower depth. Remember in hot weather, a cool season grass, like bluegrass, will go dormant. It will turn brown but will green up when cooler, humid weather returns. Water turfgrass in the early morning or late evening to keep evaporation to a minimum; doing this will help conserve water.

Evaluate your trees, shrubs and flowers. Try to keep low water varieties separate from high water varieties. For instance: you don=t want pine trees, low water-users, to be planted next to spruce trees, that have high water demands. Grouping plants with dissimilar watering requirements can cause poor growth and even plant demise. Because plant material is costly, this can result in large monetary losses.

Changing watering practices can save 30-80 percent on your home water bill. Before you add plants that have low watering needs, remember that plants need adequate water until they are established—this may be a significant amount of water. It takes one year per inch of trunk diameter for a tree to become established. Establishment may take several years or more depending on plant size and species.

Trees can be easily stressed during drought and stress can eventually cause tree death. Trees are an important part of the landscape and can take years to replace, and therefore should receive watering priority. Newly planted trees and young trees need extra water because they have smaller root systems. The roots of established trees can extend well into your yard or even into your neighbors yard, and sudden water changes can affect the health of your trees.

Mulching around bushes, flowers and trees can save as much as 50 percent of your water use compared to having bluegrass in the same area. Use 3-4 inches of organic mulch, such as wood chips, to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperatures. Mulching will also help keep weed growth to a minimum.

Another way to save water is to install a drip irrigation system. Drip irrigation can be used on flowers, vegetables, bushes and trees, but not on turfgrass. Most drip systems are easy to set up and can be added to as needed. You can water individual plants with emitters or use spray stakes to water groups of plants. It is possible to automate a drip system.

By changing the plants you grow and the way you water, your landscape can conserve water in times of drought. Making changes now will help you prepare for future periods of low water in our state.

The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.

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This page updated:  September 28, 2006