Why Denver area homeowners are watering in November

I know, right? Usually by November in Denver, you can retire from gardening for a few months. Oh, we don't get hit with the white fluffy stuff as early as some states. Still, Halloween brings a few flakes and it's definitely chilly enough for perennial plants to go dormant by now. But in years of drought like this one, plants still need a good weekly watering up until the snow falls.

That's because until they get cold enough, plants do not go dormant. And of course, non-dormant plants use and need more water.

Don't forget the lawn. While it may seem wasteful, watering your lawn at least weekly in times of drought is essential. Now, I have to interject that in the Denver area, and most of the west, having a full yard of green grass is not exactly environmentally friendly. That's why a lot of counties here allow and even suggest that part of your lawn be planted with perennial natives.

The Denver area is semi-arid. Which means that green grass is an “import” here. It's not really made for this climate. Therefore, it takes a whole lot more maintenance and resources than other alternatives. That being said, if you already have a grassy lawn, you don't want it to be so dry that it becomes a fire hazard. So at least until snow falls, be sure to keep grass watered enough to be safe from wildfire.

But folks, there is something else to consider. This current drought is a harbinger of things to come. So, whether you live in the west or somewhere else, keep in mind that fresh water is not the renewable resource we often think of it as In the future, it's destined to become scarce if we are not careful about how we use it now. So, even though we have to water, we should do it with care and consideration of the value of water to our survival.

So plant those natives to gradually replace your non-native green grassy lawn. There are native grasses available for whatever area you live in that will use less water. Some of them need no watering at all, other than that of mother nature.

Bonus water saving garden tips:

*When you water your veggie garden, water individual plants, rather than the entire surface area.

*Try container gardening to save even more water.

*Situate hanging plants above other plants so that draining water won't be wasted.

*Plant only what you will use.

*Water your plants with used (gray) water.

And while you're at it, look into other lifestyle changes that help reduce water use.

*Take those shorter showers.

*Use water saving devices on faucets.

*Buy a water saving toilet or put a brick in the tank.

*Don't run the water while brushing your teeth.

*Do full laundry loads to avoid water waste. Etc. etc.

And something you might not have thought of:

*Eat less meat and dairy. 

(Raising livestock takes tons of water by way of both growing feed and direct consumption!)

In short, do everything you can to save water for future generations. But do water your thirsty plants, because plants help keep us alive too!