Design and Planning

Call Before You Dig
Always call 811 or visit the link above to get utilities located before you do any major digging in your yard.

Aurora Water 
Water-wise Design Program
We provide free water-wise designs for residential customers.

Colorado State University
Perennial Gardening
A careful selection of plant material and thoughtful planning will result in a full season of color.

Turf Grass Removal

Resource Central
Lawn Removal Service
The Resource Central team offers this service to help you get started on your xeriscape installation.  

Save Our Water
Sheet Mulching (Smother Method)
In this video, learn how to kill grass with sheet mulching.

Be Water Wise
Manual on Physical Sod Removal
A detailed manual on how to remove your grass.

Soil amendment

CSU Plant Talk Colorado
Xeriscape (Water-wise) Soil Amendments
Choose the right soil amendment for your project to make your soil more productive.

Colorado State University Extension
Composting Yard Waste
It’s simple and gratifying to make your own compost at home.

Choosing a Contractor

Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper (QWEL) Hire a Pro
https://www.qwel.net/map
List of contractors who are QWEL certified

Irrigation Association 
Find a Certified Professional
List of contractors who are Irrigation Association certified

Installation

City of Aurora Forestry Department
COA Forestry's Tree Planting and Care
A resident’s guide to trees.

CSU Extension
"Going Bare Root and Timing It Right"


CSU Extension
Planting Perennials

Mulch

Mulch Calculators
Home Depot’s mulch calculator
Pioneer Sand and Gravel mulch calculator
Use one of the above links to calculate how much mulch you need for your project. We recommend mulching 3” deep.

ChipDrop
This is a resource for free wood mulch. Be sure to read the “Expectations of Service.”

City of Aurora
Free Mulch Days
The city is offering free mulch on select Saturdays through the spring and summer.

Landscape Features

University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources
Creating a Berm on a Budget
Build your own berm using many materials you may already have.

Colorado State University
Extension Retaining Wall Construction 
Learn the seven factors that go into constructing a retaining wall.