Castle Pines Metropolitan District
  • Water
    • Free Irrigation Analysis Signup
    • Irrigation Efficiency Path
      • Free Irrigation Efficiency Analysis Signup
      • Get Your Irrigation Efficiency Report
      • Schedule Irrigation Repairs
      • Submit Rebate
      • Irrigation Efficiency Analysis FAQ
    • Water Survey Results
    • Water Master Plan
    • Rates
    • Wastewater
    • Stormwater
    • Landscape Education
      • Irrigation Schedule
      • Water Efficiency Tips
      • Water-wise Landscaping
      • Native Grasses
      • Turf Alternatives
      • How Much Water Should I Use?
    • BSI Backflow Testing Required
  • Roads
    • 2022 Roads Project Plans
    • Snow Removal
    • Rights-of-Way
    • Driving Tips
    • Roads FAQ
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    • Financial Statements
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  • FAQ
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Contact us
Castle Pines Metropolitan District
  • Water
    • Free Irrigation Analysis Signup
    • Irrigation Efficiency Path
      • Free Irrigation Efficiency Analysis Signup
      • Get Your Irrigation Efficiency Report
      • Schedule Irrigation Repairs
      • Submit Rebate
      • Irrigation Efficiency Analysis FAQ
    • Water Survey Results
    • Water Master Plan
    • Rates
    • Wastewater
    • Stormwater
    • Landscape Education
      • Irrigation Schedule
      • Water Efficiency Tips
      • Water-wise Landscaping
      • Native Grasses
      • Turf Alternatives
      • How Much Water Should I Use?
    • BSI Backflow Testing Required
  • Roads
    • 2022 Roads Project Plans
    • Snow Removal
    • Rights-of-Way
    • Driving Tips
    • Roads FAQ
  • Budget
    • Annual Budgets
    • Financial Statements
  • Meetings-Events
    • Community Meetings & Events
    • Board Meetings
    • Calendar
  • Resources
    • About CPMD
    • View / Pay Bill
    • Construction Application
    • Board Information
      • Board of Directors & Staff
      • Transparency
      • Financial Information / Budget
      • Board Agendas
      • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Elections
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Metro District Map
    • Archive Information
      • CPMD Service Plan
  • FAQ
  • News
    • Sign Up to Receive News
Contact us
  • Water
    • Free Irrigation Analysis Signup
    • Irrigation Efficiency Path
      • Free Irrigation Efficiency Analysis Signup
      • Get Your Irrigation Efficiency Report
      • Schedule Irrigation Repairs
      • Submit Rebate
      • Irrigation Efficiency Analysis FAQ
    • Water Survey Results
    • Water Master Plan
    • Rates
    • Wastewater
    • Stormwater
    • Landscape Education
      • Irrigation Schedule
      • Water Efficiency Tips
      • Water-wise Landscaping
      • Native Grasses
      • Turf Alternatives
      • How Much Water Should I Use?
    • BSI Backflow Testing Required
  • Roads
    • 2022 Roads Project Plans
    • Snow Removal
    • Rights-of-Way
    • Driving Tips
    • Roads FAQ
  • Budget
    • Annual Budgets
    • Financial Statements
  • Meetings-Events
    • Community Meetings & Events
    • Board Meetings
    • Calendar
  • Resources
    • About CPMD
    • View / Pay Bill
    • Construction Application
    • Board Information
      • Board of Directors & Staff
      • Transparency
      • Financial Information / Budget
      • Board Agendas
      • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Elections
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Metro District Map
    • Archive Information
      • CPMD Service Plan
  • FAQ
  • News
    • Sign Up to Receive News
  • Water
    • Free Irrigation Analysis Signup
    • Irrigation Efficiency Path
      • Free Irrigation Efficiency Analysis Signup
      • Get Your Irrigation Efficiency Report
      • Schedule Irrigation Repairs
      • Submit Rebate
      • Irrigation Efficiency Analysis FAQ
    • Water Survey Results
    • Water Master Plan
    • Rates
    • Wastewater
    • Stormwater
    • Landscape Education
      • Irrigation Schedule
      • Water Efficiency Tips
      • Water-wise Landscaping
      • Native Grasses
      • Turf Alternatives
      • How Much Water Should I Use?
    • BSI Backflow Testing Required
  • Roads
    • 2022 Roads Project Plans
    • Snow Removal
    • Rights-of-Way
    • Driving Tips
    • Roads FAQ
  • Budget
    • Annual Budgets
    • Financial Statements
  • Meetings-Events
    • Community Meetings & Events
    • Board Meetings
    • Calendar
  • Resources
    • About CPMD
    • View / Pay Bill
    • Construction Application
    • Board Information
      • Board of Directors & Staff
      • Transparency
      • Financial Information / Budget
      • Board Agendas
      • Board Meeting Minutes
    • Elections
    • Employment Opportunities
    • Metro District Map
    • Archive Information
      • CPMD Service Plan
  • FAQ
  • News
    • Sign Up to Receive News

Native Grasses

Home Water Water Efficiency Native Grasses

Native Grass Management

Craig R. Miller
Horticulturist
ISA Certified Arborist

Watch a Video Presentation on Native Grasses by Craig Miller
Basic Native Grass Guidance

PLEASE DO NOT MOW NATIVE AREAS

  • Mowing weakens the native grasses, causes them to go dormant and creates weed
    infestations.
  • Tall grasses help shade the ground and adjacent grass plants, reducing evaporation of
    the moisture in the soil. They also encourage animal biodiversity and native wildlife
    habitats in open areas.
  • It is recommended all mowing operations be eliminated year round, even in the fall. If
    you must mow, late fall (October/November) only.

PLEASE DO NOT IRRIGATE NATIVE GRASSES

  • They are adapted to their environment and grow deep roots, allowing them to get by on
    natural precipitation.
  • Irrigating native grasses forces air out of the soil and causes the roots to remain shallow.
    Shallow rooting requires more water for the plants to survive.
  • Irrigation also encourages weeds, causes excessive growth and creates conditions
    favorable to mosquitos.

MANAGE WEEDS IN NATIVE GRASS STANDS AND OVERSEED BARE AREAS

  • Weed management should start as early in the season as possible and continue
    throughout the growing season as needed. This helps prevent the weeds from spreading
    and getting too established.
  • Restoring native grasses in areas where they are thin or absent helps to crowd out
    weeds and prevents erosion. Reclamation and reseeding must be part of a weed control
    plan from the start.
  • Over seeding is usually best done in the fall, to take advantage of winter snows and
    spring rains, which encourage grass seed germination.
Native Grasses
Detailed Native Grass Information

View or Download the Full Native Grasses PDF

Abstract: 

  • When the settlers first made their way west from the founding colonies, they were greeted with a wide expanse of native grasses across the plains and prairies. Having evolved in the Americas, they needed no watering or fertilizing to thrive.
  • To reduce water usage, as well as the need for mowing, fertilizing and pest management, HOAs and homeowners often consider the replacement of mowed, irrigated turf with native grass species.
  • These areas are often referred to as “native grass” areas because their unmowed appearance sometimes looks like that of a native prairie.
  • The impact and management of these low maintenance native areas is often a concern within HOA communities – especially for those who live next to them.

  • Types of Native Grasses
  • Advantages and Disadvantages of Native Grasses
  • Native Grass Mixes for Colorado
  • Management of Native Grass Stands
View or Download the Full Native Grasses PDF
Irrigation Efficiency
  • Irrigation Efficiency Path
    • 1. Free Irrigation Efficiency Analysis Signup
    • 2. Get Your Irrigation Efficiency Report
    • 3. Schedule Irrigation Repairs
    • 4. Submit Rebate
  • Frequently Asked Questions
Landscape Education
  • Irrigation Schedule
  • Water Efficiency Tips
  • Water-wise Landscaping
  • Native Grasses
  • Turf Alternatives
  • How Much Water Should I Use?
CASTLE PINES METROPOLITAN DISTRICT

5880 Country Club Drive
Castle Rock, CO 80108

303.688.8330

 Mon - Fri   8:00 am - 4:30 pm

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HELPFUL LINKS
Homeowners Association
Douglas County Government
Complimentary Metro Water Analysis

Whether you use a large amount or a minimal amount of water each month during irrigation season, a complimentary water analysis could help you conserve and/or find problems with your current watering. Please call the District at 303.688.8330 or click https://bit.ly/cpmdwater to schedule your free evaluation.

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