Conservation
2008 Landscape Care Class Schedule
All classes (Unless otherwise noted) are taught at Tagawa Garden Center, 7711 S. Parker Rd. by Craig Miller, Water Conservation Specialist for Parker Water and Sanitation District
Class Handouts and Outlines
2008 Landscape Care Class Description
Sunday, July 20, 11AM - The Basics of Xeriscape
- Xeriscape is not rocks and cactus, but a colorful, lower maintenance alternative to the water hungry landscapes we are most used to. Learn the 7 principles of xeriscaping, and take away some great ideas for retrofitting your existing landscape, or installing a new one!
Sunday, July 27, 1 PM - Principles of Xeriscape 1 – Design
- Xeriscaping offers a way to have beautiful, livable landscapes without excess water use, and all good xeriscapes begin with a good design. Learn the basics of xeric yard and garden design in this instructive class.
Sunday, August 3, 11 AM - Principles of Xeriscape 2 - Soil Preparation
- Next to design, soil preparation is the most important part of successful xeriscaping and gardening. We will dish out the “dirt” on amending soil for a water efficient and healthy landscape.
Sunday, August 10, 2:30 PM - Principles of Xeriscape 3 and 4 - Appropriate Use of Turf & Plant Selection
- The most controversial and misunderstood of the xeriscape principles is the concept of appropriate turf. Turfgrasses have a place in the landscape, even in a xeriscape. We will provide you with guidance on this aspect of landscaping, as well as cover plant selection and proper grouping of plant materials in this informative class.
Sunday, August 23, 1 PM - Principles of Xeriscape 5 and 6 - Irrigation & Mulch
- Irrigation is necessary in a xeric landscape, at least during the first few years while the plants' root systems are developing. And critical to making efficient use of that water is the appropriate use of mulch. Find out what you need to know about these two xeric principles in this class.
Sunday, August 31, 1 PM - Principles of Xeriscape 7 – Maintenance
- Maintaining the landscape cannot be forgotten, even in a xeriscape. Pruning, occasional weeding and pest management, checking that the irrigation system is functioning properly, and adjusting automatic irrigation systems as the seasons change will be needed. Come learn what you need to know to maintain your xeriscape properly!
Sunday, September 7, 1 PM - Pruning 101
- So how do you properly prune that tree or shrub in your yard? Why and when should you prune? What should you look for when contracting with a tree care professional? These and other questions will be answered during the course of this enlightening class.
Sunday, September 14, 1 PM - Choosing the Right Tree for the Right Location and How to Plant that Tree
- This class will help you make the right decision when it comes to tree selection and planting. We will explore environmental factors that influence tree selection, what you should look for when purchasing a tree, tree placement and proper planting techniques.
Xeriscape Resources
Trees, Shrubs, Junipers, Evergreens, Perennials, Vines and Grasses
A comprehensive list of Xeric plants for water-wise gardening in Colorado
Planting a Blue Grama Lawn from Seed
101 Ways to Conserve Water
ET Based Smart Irrigation Controllers
Caring for Trees in Dry Climates
Fall-Winter Tree Watering Schedule
Guide to Home Water Management
Guide to Outdoor Watering
Spring-Summer Tree Watering Schedule
The 7 Principles of Xeriscape
How can I conserve water?
There are a variety of ways to cut down on water consumption, inside and outside.
On average, lawns account for 50 percent of home water use. By eliminating as much turf grass as possible and replacing it with low-water "Xeriscape" plants, you can significantly cut down on your water use.
Take shorter showers. About 75 percent of water used indoors is used in the bathroom (including 5-7 gallon toilet flushes). Parker Water provides free, low-flow shower heads to customers. Install one today. Turn off the faucet while you brush your teeth or shave.
Store drinking water in the refrigerator to avoid running water while it cools. Water can be safely stored for up to two weeks in the refrigerator.
Altering the way you wash your car, dishes, or even brush your teeth can save water, too. Take your car to a professional car wash that uses recycled water, use the energy-saving cycles on your dishwasher, don't use the toilet to dispose of small items like tissue and insects—small changes can save hundreds of gallons of water a year.
Lawn watering
Restrictions
Parker Water has not had any mandatory watering restrictions during the last 3 summers.
Tips on reducing water use on lawns
Most customers will find that they can remain in the first tier (under 20,000 gallons per month) by watering their lawns no more than every third day, this also promotes a deeper root system. Your lawn will be much more drought tolerant.
Water early in the morning to avoid excessive evaporation; it is usually less windy then as well, and the water pressure is generally higher. Try to avoid watering paved areas, and don’t use your hose to wash sidewalks and driveways.
You can audit your lawn watering by reading your meter prior to the start of lawn watering, and reading it when finished to determine the number of gallons used per cycle.
Leak Detection
How to read meter to detect leaks
First, locate your meter (the majority of meters in Parker Water & Sanitation District are in the basement). Make a note of the meter reading. If the leak detector indicator is moving, there is water moving through the meter.
Turn off all fixtures in and around your home, and don’t use any water for an hour. Then go back and check the reading on the meter, if it has changed, you have a leak or leaks!
How a leak will affect billing
A 1/32” drip can waste 6,166 gallons per month.
A 1/16” trickle can waste 24,666 gallons per month.
A 1/8” stream can waste 98,666 gallons per month.
A 1/4” stream can waste 393,833 gallons per month.
How much water?
How much water does the average household use?
The average family of four uses approximately 240 gallons of water per day, or 60 gallons per day (G.P.D.) per person.
Dishwashing?
Automatic dishwasher uses 10-20 G.P.D.
Hand washing 15 G.P.D.
Laundry?
36 G.P.D.
Bathing?
Full tub- 60 G.P.D., ½ bath – 30 G.P.D.
Shower 53 G.P.D.
Toilets?
100 G.P.D.
We encourage conservation
Free water saving devices – low flow shower heads and faucet aerators, leak detection kits, rain gauges.
Annual Xeriscape garden contest.
Annual Tours of residential Xeriscape gardens and talks with owners.
Detailed Xeriscape information.
Free conservation activity books and handouts for kids. Also have school tours.
