How to Conserve Water Outside

1. Don't drown your lawn: Avoid over-watering lawns and gardens. Water deeply, less often.
2. Watch the clock: Water between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m. when the sun is low, winds are calm, and temperatures are cool to avoid evaporation.
3. Raise the blade: Trim grass at a higher mower setting (at least 2½ to 3 inches).
4. Check your sprinkler heads: At least once a month, check your sprinkler heads to make sure everything is working properly.
5. Play the zone: Divide your yard and landscaping into separate irrigation zones so grass can be watered separately and more frequently than groundcovers, shrubs, and trees.
6. You can never have too much mulch: Mulching around plants helps keep moisture in.
7. Aerate: Aerate in the spring and in the fall.
8. Fertilize: Use less nitrogen, and use a slow release application. Use formulas with higher phosphorous and potassium (like a winterizer fertilizer)

9. Be rain smart: Adjust your irrigation system as the seasons and weather change. Don't water right after a heavy rain.

Watering Resources: Create a Waterwise Yard

Englewood Utilities has partnered with Resource Central to help residents save water and create beautiful, low-maintenance landscapes through two popular programs: Garden In A Box and Lawn Replacement.

Garden in a Box
Garden In A Box makes it easy to upgrade your yard with professionally designed, waterwise garden kits tailored for Colorado’s climate. Each kit includes perennial plants, a simple plant-by-number layout, and guidance on watering and seasonal care. These do-it-yourself gardens are designed to replace sections of traditional lawn, support pollinators and reduce outdoor water use. On average, participants save about 5,000 gallons of water each year once their gardens are established. Learn more at resourcecentral.org/gardens

Lawn Replacement Program
The Lawn Replacement Program offers an even bigger opportunity to conserve water by swapping out traditional turf for waterwise landscaping. This program helps homeowners create resilient, sustainable yards that use significantly less water while still looking great. Participants save an average of 15,000 gallons of water annually.

Through Englewood Utilities’ partnership with Resource Central, these programs are available at a reduced cost, making it easier for residents to invest in long-term water savings and a more sustainable community. Learn more at resourcecentral.org/lawn

Additional Resources

• EPA WaterSense Sprinkler Spruce Up
• WaterSense Summer Watering Tips
• WaterSense Detect and Fix Leaks Checklist PDF