Greeley Water officials recognize the intense commitment residents have for helping the city conserve water. With drought conditions present throughout the state and the entire West, every little bit of savings helps. Now spring is on the way and it is time to start water-smart summer landscaping.
The City of Greeley’s Landscape Lecture series starts community members off on the right path to creating a water-smart yard, from picking the right plants to working with existing soil conditions to maximizing the use of the landscape and minimize water usage, all while creating a beautiful aesthetic. The Landscape Lectures focuses on water conservation and sustainability to create natural habitats that use native plants to become drought-resilient, in addition to using fewer chemicals that can pollute water.
Residents can sign up for these free courses through the city’s Landscape Lecture Series website.
Upcoming classes will be updated regularly on the website. To date, this list comprises the scheduled classes. These are all virtual presentations, meaning anyone can attend from the comforts of their home. Class size is limited.
Upcoming classes:
6 p.m., Feb. 24th - Colorado time Turf Remove, Replace or Maintain
This is class will teach students how to:
- Remove soil without the use of chemicals
- Replace it with climate appropriate plantings
- Keep some turf in place but maintain it in an organic manner
- Lawn care strategies to improve resilience
- Manage the big three: weed, pests, and disease
This class is contracted through G3, so we are limited on how many people can register, so please don’t sign up if you can’t attend. You will sign up on G3’s website.
https://greengardensgroup.com/city-of-greeley-classes/
6 p.m., March 10 -- Planning and Planting in Dry Shade
We tend to think about shade plantings in a rich, wet soil planted with ferns, holly and hostas, but many low water plants will thrive in dry soils under tree canopies and on the north side of a building. Amy Lentz, CSU Extension Horticulture Agent for Weld County, will help participants make good plant decisions, whether you have deep shade, dappled or moving shade.
Register here: Register here: greeleygov.com/landscapelectures
6 p.m., March 24 -- Grouping your Plants for Compatibility
Learn more about how to group plants for beauty and affect keeping in mind their water need, soil and exposure? Ross Shrigley, Executive Director for Plant Select will help participants become plant selection pros. He will show you how to group them base not only on environmental conditions, but how they can complement each other in the garden. Register here: greeleygov.com/landscapelectures
6 p.m. April 7 -- People and Pollinator Network
Beth Conrey, beekeeper, businesswoman and past president of both the Colorado and the Northern Colorado Beekeeping Associations, will speak about the importance of bees and creating policies at the state and local level to increase habitat, improve land management practices and reduce pesticide use, to protect pollinator health. Since the challenges faced by biodiversity loss call for strategic action at all levels, Beth will give examples of actions and ways to engage that can result in wins for Colorado people and pollinators. Beth will also let us know about the People and Pollinators Network initiative. Register here: greeleygov.com/landscapelectures
Anyone who has questions should contact Ruth Quade, water conservation administrator at 970-350-9874.