Southern Colorado residents are no stranger to the unpredictable weather served year round by the Centennial State: snowfall as late as May, heavy rain storms in mid-summer and unfortunately the occasional drought. While the generally warm, dry climate of Colorado is certainly an appealing attribute, even rivaling that of Southern California, it does make us vulnerable to a devilish force of nature: the wildfire. Thankfully rainfall has been aplenty in recent weeks, however, to escape the full effects of Colorado’s now widespread and extreme drought, consistent storm systems are needed to improve soil moisture. As Coloradans, we are in a constant struggle with nature which demands us to control and conquer or to adapt.
During the hot, dry summer, the average homeowner may utilize a sprinkler system to maintain their soil health, green lawn and perennials… but at a cost. According to to the Energy Resource Center, “Utility costs in Colorado Springs are above the national average. Utilities (including gas, electric, water, and garbage) average around $176/monthly for a 900 square foot apartment. Consider that the average single family home is over 2500 square feet, and you can see where utility bills become overwhelming in the Colorado Springs area. Depending on the time of year, utilities can also fluctuate wildly.” Whatever your lawn’s square footage, its weekly water usage can easily push your utility bill over the top. A green, well manicured lawn goes hand in hand with the American Dream, but if you’re looking to reshape you monthly expenses and reduce your landscaping maintenance, Xeriscaping could be the appropriate course of action.
Xeriscape is a specific style of landscape design which requires little to no irrigation. This doesn’t mean replacing all plants with hardscapes, but rather strategically selecting plants which thrive in the local climate with as little water as possible. In fact, replacing your lawn with either a patio, rock or mulch and xeric plants can cut your water usage by 80%. If you’re committed to keeping a bit of lawn in your landscape design, consider either Buffalo grass or Grama grass which need minimal input to look healthy. However, do keep in mind that a lawn is usually the number one offender in water consumption in the average yard. By incorporating mulch, stone, shredded bark and rocks you can transform your yard into a xeriscape oasis. Be sure to compliment the drought tolerant aesthetics with native Southern Colorado plants such as the Goldenrod, Little Bluesteam or Rocky Mountain Pentsemon. The Colorado Native Plant Society has put together a detailed overview of local plants that you can incorporate into your landscaping to reduce water costs and soil upkeep. You can check out the PDF here to nourish your landscaping ideas for Summer 2018.
About: At Peloquin Sprinklers & Landscaping, we understand that selecting a contractor for your sprinkler and landscaping needs can be stressful. We genuinely believe in treating our customers like family and maintain a high standard of quality, pride, and integrity at all times. All of our sprinkler projects and landscaping designs are backed by a two-year guarantee.