About 40% of your household water is used to grow and properly maintain bluegrass lawns that are not sustainable in the Colorado landscapes. Every February through May, Greeley offers a series of public lectures on a variety of landscape topics, and especially ways to save water outside.
Life After Lawn - Landscape Transformation
Do you want to upgrade your landscape and save some water too? This class is for both the homeowner and for larger property projects. We will walk you through what you will need to do to apply for Greeley's Life After Lawn rebate. Topics covered: Ways to remove the grass, basic design tips, what can be included in your design and ways to be budget friendly.
Setting Up a Drip System
This class will provide you with the knowledge and confidence to set up your drip system if you don't have an irrigation system and want to run it off your outdoor water spigot. Rita Jokerst, Water Conservation Specialist for the City of Greeley, will cover all the components needed, options for layout, installation instructions, and maintenance requirements.
Previous classes from 2023
Basic Design Principles –by Lauren Wilson, local landscape designer
This class walks you through the design principles for a water-saving landscape that is open and inviting. Take advantage of areas receiving full exposure to the sun or learn how to use hydrozones which means positioning plants with similar water, soil, and sun needs together.
March 8, 2023, 6 p.m. (In-person class)
Western Best Practices: “Right Plant, Right Place, Right Practice” –Annie Barrow, Denver Botanic Gardens
Do you want to learn how to create a landscape that will survive on natural precipitation or a minimal amount of supplemental water? Annie’s innovative approach will help your plants thrive in a hot, arid climate like the Front Range.
March 22, 2023, 6 p.m. (In-person class)
Convert Your Irrigation System to Drip—Rita Jokerst, city of Greeley
Drip irrigation provides water to plants where they need it most -- at the roots. It can also help establish your new water-thrifty planting beds. Converting your irrigation system to drip may seem intimidating, but Rita guides you through the process of retrofitting an existing overhead sprinkler zone to a drip zone.
April 19, 2023, 6 p.m. (In-person class)
How To Seed Your Native Lawn—Don Hijar, Pawnee Buttes Seed Company
Do you want a native lawn, but find the process a little daunting? Seeding a native lawn is different than rolling out bluegrass sod. Don will share his knowledge about when to plant and how to maintain the yard while during the establishment period.
May 3, 2023, 6 p.m. (In-person class)
Cold Hardy Cacti and Succulents—Tony Koski, CSU Extension Turf Grass Specialist
Succulents and cacti have grown in popularity with gardeners who want a hardy, low-water plant. Some succulents are more suited to being grown indoors as a houseplant and others are perfect for your outdoor garden. Tony will help you decide which one is right for you.
May 31, 6:00 p.m.
How to Build a Rain Garden- Riley Lynch, Colorado Stormwater Center
Rain gardens are beautiful gardens, full of native plants, that are watered only with the rain. During this workshop with the leaders, we'll cover design, sizing, and plant choice to conserve water and save money on your water bill!