The Hover Farms HOA transform a poorly design irrigated grass area to a sustainable, aesthetically pleasing landscape that uses the appropriate amount of water, builds soil health and reduces chemical usage.

The 2020 project was phase 1 (a 1,000 square feet section) of an overall master plan to replace 13,000 square feet of turf with low-maintenance, low-water usage planting.

Sustainability Benefits

Primary Sustainability Benefit: Water

Secondary Sustainability Benefit: Education

Project Costs (Phase 1)

Total Cost: $4,250

• $3,500 from Northern Water Conservancy District (plants, labor, contractors and 55 hours of in-kind labor at $25/hour)
• HOA matching funds and individual donations amounted to $750 for the total money spent of $4,250 (not including in-kind labor)

Ongoing Costs:

• The HOA is entering the second year with this planting and so far, the ongoing maintenance is weeding, deadheading plants as needed, and mulch replacement.
• The HOA monitors the water system.
• Only additional cost is minimal for mulch (less than $20).

Expected Benefits

Water:

• Anticipated to save about 12,000 gallons of water annually from low-water plants as well as removing an irrigation system that was misting, over spraying and wasting water.

Maintenance:

• No grass to mow or fertilizer to apply to this area
• Perennial plants have flourished even with the big snow storms. The HOA was able to reduce the cost of the landscape contract by removing this area for maintenance

Soil health:

• This project is expected to reduce the number of chemicals applied to the landscape and promote healthier soil that can increase storage capacity for water.

Community:

• The curb appeal has increased and there is pride in the community.
• Community members got involved in different ways, from donating plants to assisting in the installation.

Project Timeline

Key Take-aways

• The Hover Woods HOA did not realize in the beginning how many hours it would take to complete this application process so be prepared to spend a fair amount of time on it.
  • The HOA also had meetings with the irrigation contractor and many hours were spent creating the drawings and putting the binder together.
  • The volunteers worked more hours than originally anticipated but it paid off with the matching fund contribution from Northern Water.
• Northern Water is a great group to work with and gave us a lot of support.
• To supplement the Garden in a Box, community members donated plants and bird feeders to the site, and the HOA purchased a few additional plants and hardscape items (e.g. two mugo pines).