The city of Aurora has committed to reducing water consumption in order to comply with a range of ordinances, bills, and memorandums of understanding (MOUs). This proactive approach not only supports regulatory efforts but also contributes to long-term goals, resulting in significant positive effects on the PROS department’s annual water budget. Additionally, conserving water helps protect local wildlife and ecosystems by preserving essential natural resources and supporting biodiversity.
The conversion process includes several steps:
1.
Removal – Water-guzzling Kentucky bluegrass is sprayed or removed; this may appear as brown grass or total removal of the turf
2.
Seeding – Following removal, seed is drilled into the soil. In some cases, hydromulching follows, this combination of water and mulch encourages the seed to stay put, aids in moisture retention and allows for faster germination.
3.
Watering – Following seeding, the area is monitored and irrigated regularly to jump start germination and establishment. Following initial first season establishment, the area receives minimal water, nearly instantly reducing the amount of water needed for the area.
4.
Seasonal Maintenance – Native grass areas establish slowly over time! The typical establishment period is three growing seasons. Each growing season, maintenance activities such as weed control, mowing, and overseeding are completed to ensure a happy and healthy native area.
Conversions require time to properly establish. To put things into perspective, the ideal root depth for turf is between 3 and 6 inches, while native grass roots can reach depths of 30 to 80 inches. This significant difference means that native grasses will need time to fully take root, and during this period, weeds, dirt and brown patches of grass are all part of the process. As the old adage goes, “In the first year it sleeps, the second year it creeps, and the third year it leaps.”
Native species establish best when left to mature. Mowing before the grass is established can prevent the plants from developing their extensive root system, hindering their growth and the success of the conversion. During establishment, periodic mowing may take place for weed management and overseeding operations. Once the grasses are established, they will be regularly maintained as the specific species call for, which may include seasonal mowing. Native grasses are naturally taller than turf areas though, so they may seem overgrown, but it’s really their natural height.
It is common for recently converted areas to attract weeds due to the disturbance of the soils during preparation and seeding activities. Vegetation and weed management are critical steps to establishment in the second and third growing season. As the native grass takes root and begins to grow, it will out-compete the weeds and prevent future weeds from growing due to their extensive root system.
The city has a number of seed mixtures we choose from, each featuring plant species that are native to Colorado or adapted to thrive in our semi-arid environment. Staff carefully select which seed mixture will be used at each site depending on the unique needs of each site. For example, some mixtures will grow taller than others, which excludes those mixtures from sites where visibility is a priority, like on medians.
The inclusion of native grasses and xeric landscaping is carefully decided after reviewing the existing conditions of each median. Native grasses are an aesthetic and affordable option and an appropriate addition to xeric designs for many medians across the city based on the size of the landscape.