Colorado has experienced it’s lowest snowpack in history. We are officially in a drought. Businesses and homeowners and anxiously keeping track as they hear those two scary words: “Water Restrictions” and wait to see whether they will go into place.
So what does this mean for your landscape? And how does a plant nursery approach operations responsibly in a drought? Let’s talk about it.
Drought & Your Landscape
Do you need to tear out your landscape? Can you still have your veggie garden this year? Will there be water restrictions? What do you do?
At the time of writing this post, no water restrictions have gone into effect for Fort Collins.
- Native & Xeric Plants - Native and xeric plants are an amazing resource when facing drought! Because these species have evolved to thrive in our local climate, they require significantly less supplemental water once established compared to traditional turf grass or high-water-need ornamentals. By incorporating them into your landscape, you can maintain a vibrant, beautiful yard while minimizing your environmental footprint and lowering your monthly utility bills.
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Strategic Watering - We recommend watering in the morning or evening (while it is still cool outside) to avoid losing water to harsh heat and evaporation. Overhead watering can lead to water waste, so try opting for a drip system or targeted hand-watering where applicable. These strategies ensure water goes exactly where it is needed, directly to the root zone, and is not lost to wind or surface evaporation.
- Our sister company, Alpine Gardens, is here to help with any irrigation upgrades. Sometimes a simple upgrade can be just as effective as a full irrigation system replacement, and a fraction of the cost. Visit their website to learn more.
- Plants Are Still Needed - Resist the urge to tear out your entire landscape and replace it with gravel. Plants are essential for our environment, even during a drought. "Zero-scapes" (characterized by large swaths of pavement or rock with no greenery) can actually increase an area's temperature by 6–8 degrees by creating “heat islands.” Plant life is vital for maintaining our local ecosystem and supporting pollinators. Instead of removing everything, we recommend watering strategically and gradually transitioning to native or xeric plant options.
- Don’t Panic - Keep a close eye on city restrictions and official recommendations, but try to remain calm. Colorado has navigated dry cycles before, and by working together as good stewards of the earth, we will get through this challenge as well.
Nursery Operations
Plant nurseries have a lot of plants… that need a lot of water. So how does a drought affect that?
At Fossil Creek Nursery, we always strive to be good stewards of the Earth and beneficial members of our community. Our nursery already utilizes a non-potable (not safe for drinking) irrigation system, using water from the North Lauden Ditch System instead of potable (drinkable) city water. However, with a severe drought, even our non-potable irrigation system can be affected.
So we are approaching this unprecedented time with a few changes to our operations:
- Hand Watering - We have revamped our watering protocols to focus on hand-watering this year. We have even created new staff positions dedicated specifically to this task. By personally checking each container and watering only where absolutely necessary, our team can monitor usage in real-time and minimize water waste.
- Strategic Inventory Management - While we typically maintain a large "backstock" of plants to ensure immediate availability, we are shifting our approach this year. By ordering more strategically and re-stocking as needed -rather than maintaining a massive, thirsty backstock- we are able to offer the same variety while significantly reducing our overall water footprint. But don’t worry! This is strictly a behind-the-scenes change, and we will continue to stock our full plant selection- full with all your favorites.
- Focus on Native & Xeric Plants - Now, more than ever, Fossil Creek Nursery is committed to providing our community with the widest selection of native and xeric trees, shrubs, and perennials. These plants are the key to a beautiful, resilient landscape that thrives in our local climate while requiring far less supplemental water.
- Adaptability - Having been in business since 1969, our nursery has navigated many droughts, each bringing its own unique set of challenges. As new data and recommendations emerge from the city and state, we remain committed to being flexible. We take each new piece of information as it comes, adapting our operations to ensure we are being the best stewards of our resources possible.
At the end of the day, gardening is about patience, observation, and working with, not against, the world around us. A drought doesn’t mean the end of your garden; it just means an invitation to try something new and more sustainable. We’re in this together, and we are here to support you every step of the way. Whether you have questions about which xeric plants will look best in your flower beds or need tips on watering, come by the nursery. Let’s make this a beautiful, resilient year for Northern Colorado, one plant at a time.
