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
2014:
- Water audit
2015:
- Neighborhood Leaders Group Association (NGLA) Neighborhood Improvement Program (NIP) grant: Complete updates highlighted in the water audit, creating a more efficient system and saving water
2018:
- NGLA NIP grant: Install a low maintenance, xeriscape garden at the West End Neighborhood Gateway
- Resource Central Water Audit
2019:
- NGLA NIP grant: Continue to upgrade irrigation systems initiated in 2015
October 2019 to February 2020: Planning
- Develop the overall Master Plan
- Apply to Northern Water Conservancy District’s matching grant to implement phase 1
- Contacted Resource Central to discuss the $25 discounts for their gardens
- Awarded the grant in February 2020
March to April 2020: Pre-Construction
- Ordered Resource Central Garden in a Box for the property
- Worked with Ideal Irrigation, landscape contractor, to install the Garden in a Boxes (COVID-19 impacted ability to work with volunteers)
- Located all underground utilities
- City review of the Hover Woods phase 1 concept (no permitting required)
May to June 2020: Construction
- Removal of 1,000 square feet of turf
- Prepare landscape and soil for the final design (e.g. tilling, soil amendment, mulching, rock cobbles and boulders)
- Installation of Garden in a Box starter plants and additional mulching (photo shows Garden in a Box plants right after planting)
June to November 2020: Maintain
- Watch for pests and treat as needed
- Fall clean-up if needed
Phases 2-6
- Continuing transitioning landscapes as upcoming budget allows
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).
