Professional and water-conscious design
I first learned about Garden In A Box in 2017 when Denver Water partnered with the nonprofit Resource Central to encourage water conservation. Denver Water’s discount for purchasing the water-wise plants was such a bargain, I couldn’t resist. The plants flourished in my garden, and I loved how flowers bloomed from spring to fall.
Resource Central’s water-wise gardens are designed by professionals to make it “easy to transform your yard into a colorful, pollinator supporting landscape” while saving water during this time of drought. Resource Central also has lawn removal instructions and programs; the gardens typically use half the amount of water per square foot as the lawn they replace.
There are a variety of kits available. Each one fulfills a specific purpose and is composed of plants that thrive together. They include quart-sized perennial plants in 4-inch pots and a guide that provides detailed plant information, preparation and planting tips, watering guidelines for drought conditions, seasonal maintenance information, and professional plant-by-number maps.
Assistance from the Water Conservation Board and other funders has allowed the program to expand beyond the Front Range. It now serves all of Colorado, spanning from Steamboat Springs in the north to Alamosa in the south.
Plants may be ordered and picked up twice a year to accommodate different planting seasons. Preorders started in March for pickup and planting in late spring/early summer. Preorder will start in June for pickup and planting in August and September. Resource Central recommends joining the interest list on its website for up-to-date news. The program has become so popular that the predesigned gardens go fast. It’s best to order online to be more confident that your order will be filled. However, boxes will be available until all have been sold.
While preparing your new garden, look into converting lawn sprinklers into drip or microspray systems. They use water more efficiently, reduce waste through runoff and evaporation, and reduce disease by keeping foliage dry. Check with your water provider for information about current watering restrictions.
This year Resource Central has added two special garden pairings designed to simplify expanding your garden into a larger space. They take the “guesswork out of designing bigger areas, help your landscape feel cohesive, and boost water savings across more of your yard.” The Pollinator Peak and Mountain Blooms combination features high-elevation toughness and flexible sunlight tolerance along with “soft, woodland edge beauty” of more shaded areas. All plants in the Garden In A Box kits are perennials, which means this year’s investment will continue to delight year after year. For information, visit resourcecentral.org.
Master gardener Vicki Spencer writes on a variety of topics including gardening, electrical safety, water conservation, and more.
Photo courtesy of Resource Central
