If you aren’t already familiar with the many benefits of Xeriscaping your home, this may be the year to make the switch to more native and drought-resistant plants and materials around your yard.

It’s estimated that annually the average US household uses 300+ gallons of water per day, and nearly 30 percent of that water goes to outdoor uses, primarily irrigation. We’ve been conditioned to believe that good curb appeal is only achievable with big lush green lawns, but this is not true. There are a lot of reasons to explore other options, especially these days with continuously increasing water rates and irrigation restrictions due to greater demand on available water resources.

Xeriscaping, when done right, can add a tremendous amount of depth, dimension, and beauty to your home which translates to lots of curb appeal. In addition to lowering your water consumption, Xeriscaping can also significantly reduce the time, effort, and cost of maintenance. These benefits are not lost on potential home buyers, especially millennials, the fastest growing buyer segment, who also appreciate the fact that Xeriscaping is more environmentally friendly.

When considering your Xeriscaping plans, you’ll want to make sure that you are staying within any municipal codes as well as HOA requirements if your home is in a managed neighborhood. To get started, be sure to check out the CSU Extension website (extension.colostate.edu) for some excellent information and resources, including water-wise tips to help you save water and money. Additionally, the City of Brighton has info relevant to Brighton residents, and for Brighton water customers, the city offers a lawn removal rebate program (brightonco.gov/587/lawn-removal-rebate) that can help offset the cost of the project.

For proven expertise in establishing your home value and/or searching for a new or existing home, please call Jan at (303) 520-4340.