Conserving Water in the Landscape

Healthy landscapes contribute to urban air quality, stormwater management and wildlife habitats. They also increase property values and shade and cool urban areas. You can enjoy these many benefits while saving water and money with these water-wise resources and local programs.

Residential Lawn Replacement

Transform your thirsty lawn into a vibrant, low-water landscape with Broomfield’s Lawn Replacement Program! Receive up to $750 in discounts (you pay just $1 per sq. ft. for the first 450 sq. ft.) or complimentary Garden in a Box kits (up to 400 sq. ft.). In partnership with Resource Central, this program makes creating a beautiful, sustainable outdoor space easy. Discounts are available on a first come, first served basis. Learn more and apply today at Broomfield.org/SaveWater.

Lawn Conversion Resources

Having a plan for your lawn conversion project is crucial. If you plan to DIY your lawn removal, or just want to know the right questions to ask when hiring a professional, check out the CSU Extension’s Lawn Conversion Resources page.

Right Plant, Right Place

Plant Select® is a nonprofit collaboration of Colorado State University, Denver Botanic Gardens and professional horticulturists that tests and distributes plants that thrive in the intermountain region. Plant Select aims to help gardeners of all levels achieve smart, stunning and successful gardens using fewer resources. Visit the Plant Select website for free downloadable xeriscape designs, a retailer directory, water wise maintenance tips, and the “Right Plant, Right Place” plant finder tool. Be sure to visit the Broomfield Xeriscape Demonstration Garden for real world inspiration!

Slow the Flow Sprinkler Evaluation

No matter what your long term landscape plans are, you can reduce waste today with a thorough check of your irrigation system. Get a FREE Slow the Flow Sprinkler Evaluation to fine-tune your outdoor watering, reduce waste and stay prepared for potential droughts. Start saving water and money now—sign up at Broomfield.org/SaveWater.

Participate in Native Bee Watch

Have you wondered what bees are visiting your garden? Colorado has more than 1,000 species of bees, so it's a bit more complex than you might think! Join the Native Bee Watch Community Science Program to learn how to identify the bees in your yard and submit data for research.

Learn more at nativebeewatch.org and register here to participate in the 2025 Native Bee Watch program.

Broomfield Water Use Ordinance

While Broomfield is not currently in a major drought, residents and businesses are required to follow a standard watering schedule set by the Water Use Ordinance that went into effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Here are the current requirements:

• Water no more than three days per week
• Water only between 6 p.m. and 10 a.m.
• Addresses ending in even numbers water on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
• Addresses ending in odd numbers water on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Irrigation for larger properties (those larger than 100,000 square feet or 2.3 acres) may span multiple days over a single evening.

Learn more about Broomfield's Water Use and Drought Restrictions.

Vegetable Garden Basics

Select Thursdays - see links for times

Teaching Vegetable Garden at Brunner Farmhouse

Free, no registration required

Come learn the basics of vegetable gardening in Colorado! Classes will be held outside at the Teaching Vegetable Garden at Brunner Farmhouse. Learn about upcoming dates and topics:

June 12 - Planting Starts and Seeds

June 26 - From the Ground Up: Mulches and Trellises

July 10 - Summer Garden Maintenance

July 24 - Common Pests and Problems

Family Learn and Grow

Third Saturdays, 9-10:30 a.m.

Teaching Vegetable Garden at Brunner Farmhouse

Free, no registration required

Come get your hands dirty with family activities all about growing your own food. Activities will be geared towards 3rd to 5th graders. Children must be accompanied by a parent or adult caregiver. Upcoming dates and topics:

June 21 - Maintaining Your Garden

July 19 - Garden Visitors: Friend or Foe

Aug. 16 - Harvesting and Enjoying a Summer Garden

Cottage Foods Safety Training

Offered by Colorado State University Extension, this nationally-recognized training program covers the specifics of the Colorado Cottage Food Act and how to safely operate a food business from a home kitchen. The $50 online class is next offered on these dates:

Friday, June 6, 9 a.m-12:30 p.m.

Thursday, June 12, 12-3:30 p.m.

Friday, June 27, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Friday, July 11, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Thursday, July 17, 12-3:30 p.m.

Cottage Foods Business Class

Turn your culinary passion into profit! Join CSU Extension for a free online class on successfully building a cottage foods business. The next session is offered on Monday, July 7 from 10 a.m.-12 p.m. Register now.

Make a Refreshing Summertime Smoothie

Smoothies are a great treat any time of year, but especially in the heat of summer. Children (and adults) enjoy smoothies as a snack, but you can also use them as a meal! Meals are where we get most of our energy and nutrition, and that’s just what children need in the long, hot days of summer. Plus, they’re quick to make and easy to carry for on-the-go days. 

Check out CSU Family and Consumer Science Specialist Tina Harney's full article on the Live Smart Colorado website. The newsletter is available in English and Spanish.

Gardening Webinar: Native Plants

Wednesday, June 11, 12-1 p.m

Online, but must register

Native plants can be a lower-maintenance, lower-water option for your landscape but only if they establish successfully. Join Allisa Zurbuchen, from CSU Extension, who's doctoral research focuses on nursery container production of native plants, for a deep dive into what's going on beneath the soil line and how to optimize transplanting success of your favorite native plants. This webinar will be recorded and posted to PlantTalk.org/webinars a few days after the live presentation.

Broomfield Xeriscape Garden Tour

Saturday, June 14, 9-10:30 a.m.

Free, see map for directions

Get inspiration for your water-wise landscape and learn about plants and techniques for a successful xeriscape in this guided garden tour! Can't make this one? The tour will be repeated on July 12, Aug. 9 and Sept. 13. Learn more at compass.broomfield.org.

Gardening Webinar: Managing Lawns in a Warming Climate

Wednesday, July 9, 12-1 p.m

Online, but must register

As summers get hotter, home lawn care will change with regards to weed management, irrigation, and cultural practices. Dr. Tony Koski from CSU will discuss best management practices to ensure that your lawn withstands the heat...and cold...that Colorado experiences. This webinar will be recorded and posted to PlantTalk.org/webinars a few days following the live presentation.

Holiday Closure

The Broomfield Library, Arts, History and CSU Extension department will be closed on Thursday, June 19 for the Juneteenth Holiday.

Broomfield CSU Extension's regular office hours are 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Monday through Thursday.

Vegetable Gardening

Colorado Gardening: Challenge to Newcomers - CSU Fact Sheet 7.220

Colorado Vegetable Guide / Guia de Vegetales de Colorado

Garden Plans

Soil Testing

What's Wrong With My Plant?

Veggie Crops A-Z

Lawn/Landscape

Broomfield Lawn Replacement Program

Broomfield Water Efficiency Programs

Fire Prevention Resources - Landscape

Front Range Tree Recommendation List

Lawn Care - CSU Fact Sheet 7.202

Ornamental Grasses

Plant Select - Waterwise Plants and Designs

Rejuvenating an Existing Lawn

Renovating the Home Lawn

Webinars and Videos

Acclimate New Plants Before Planting (video)

CSU Extension Gardening Webinars (and recordings)

How to Check if Your Sprinklers are Working Right in 20 Minutes

How to Plant a Tree (video)

Protecting Garden and Potted Flowers Using Frost Blankets (video)

Waterwise Yard Seminars - Resource Central

What's Killing Your Plants Webinar Series (and recordings)

Summer Library Adventures 2025

A reading and activity challenge for all ages!

June 1 - July 31

Track your reading and activities throughout June and July. Read 20 days or complete 20 activities (or mix and match) to earn a prize! Prizes available June 7- Aug. 10 at the Library while supplies last. Activities must be logged in Beanstack to qualify for prizes. Pre-registration available now.

2025 Broomfield Trail Adventure

Celebrate National Trails Day by hiking or biking in the vicinity of Columbine Meadows Park (12600 Hazel St.) on Saturday, June 7 from 8 to 10 a.m.! This annual event features a new trail section each year and serves as the Broomfield 100 kick-off. Great for all ages and ability levels, please bring sturdy walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, water and sunscreen! Learn more at Broomfield.org/TrailAdventure.

Summer Concert Series

The Broomfield Summer Concert Series is back with another stellar set of shows in 2025! Grab your lawn chairs and sunscreen and head to the park for an unforgettable evening of music, food and family fun. 

The series kicks off with D.J. Williams and opener Wrenn Van Band on June 11 at Anthem Community Park. Check out the full schedule at broomfield.org/summerconcerts. All concerts are free to attend and open to all ages!

Slow the Flow Sprinkler Evaluations

Did you know a typical Broomfield home uses 70,000 gallons of water each summer just for irrigation? That’s a significant chunk of your water bill! Make every drop count by signing up for a FREE outdoor sprinkler system evaluation through Broomfield’s Slow the Flow program. Small adjustments can save water, reduce costs and help protect Colorado’s rivers. Learn more and request a free sprinkler evaluation at broomfield.org/1103/Slow-the-Flow-Sprinkler-Evaluations.

Zero Fare Summer

Broomfield FlexRide is for everyone. All ages, all abilities. Broomfield’s Zero Fare promotion on the RTD FlexRide is running June, July and August, so everyone rides at no cost! 

• Broomfield FlexRide is available Mon. - Fri. 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m
• Broomfield North FlexRide is available Mon. - Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Broomfield Interlocken is available Mon. - Fri. 5:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Visit Broomfield.org/FlexRide to find your route and book online through the link to RTD. Or book your ride with RTD by calling 303-299-6000; booking is available in multiple languages. Ask the RTD operator for an interpreter for your preferred language. 

Be Ready for the Summer Weather

Summers in Colorado can bring severe weather, like hail and thunderstorms, as well as extreme heat days. The need for individuals, families and communities to prepare for a weather-related emergency and extreme heat is more important than ever. Visit the City and County of Broomfield’s Summer Weather Preparedness web page for guidance on planning and preparing for the summer months.