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Owner

Yuchen

City

Boulder

Skill Set

Intermediate

Project Size

750 - 1,000 sq ft

Project Location

Front yard

Sun Exposure

Full sun

Year Completed

2020

Time Commitment

21 - 30 hours of labor

Project Cost

less than $500

Other Project Elements

Pathways, Low water/xeric plants, Boulders

Resource Central Programs

Grass to Garden

Advice from the Owner

We kept the black plastic on for 4.5 months and so far no grass has re-surfaced. Also, make sure to seal the edges as tight as possible with wood /rocks or bricks in order to keep the air and sunlight out. Once the plastic is off, we’ve spread mulch generously about 3/4” deep.

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Owner

Heather

City

Thornton

Skill Set

Intermediate

Project Size

500 - 750 sq ft

Project Location

Front yard

Sun Exposure

Full sun

Year Completed

2018

Time Commitment

11 - 20 hours of labor

Project Cost

less than $500

Other Project Elements

Drip irrigation system, Pathways, Patio/sitting areas

Resource Central Programs

Slow the Flow, Grass to Garden, Garden In A Box

Advice from the Owner

Make a space that works for you! We still wanted an area to have our morning coffee, so we needed to incorporate a walking path and a little seating area. Overall, we love our new garden (and have way less lawn to mow)!

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Owner

Pete

City

Greeley

Skill Set

Intermediate

Project Size

250 - 500 sq ft

Project Location

Front yard

Sun Exposure

Full sun

Year Completed

2019

Time Commitment

10 hours of labor or less

Project Cost

Less than $500

Other Project Elements

Raised/tiered beds, Drip irrigation system, Retaining walls, Pathways, Low water/xeric plants

Resource Central Programs

Garden In A Box

Advice from the Owner

I love the colorful flowers that bloom at different times during the year plus the variety of plants that come with the Garden in a Box program. I just recommend the preparation of the soil with good compost and lots of rototilling.

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Owner

Jon

City

Boulder

Skill Set

Beginner

Project Size

250 - 500 sq ft

Project Location

Side yard

Sun Exposure

Full sun

Year Completed

2018

Time Commitment

21 - 30 hours of labor

Project Cost

less than $500

Other Project Elements

Pathways, Low water/xeric plants

Resource Central Programs

Garden In A Box

Advice from the Owner

I love the water conservation and beauty of flowering plants. Once established, the garden takes very little maintenance. Overall, I am so pleased with the results on the south side of my property. I am now planning to create a xeriscape garden in front of my home (east side) as well.

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Design Ideas

Struggling with coming up with yard design concepts? Check out what other Waterwise participants  have done.

Join your neighbors and have your very own Waterwise Yard!

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