BOULDER, Colo. - s4story -- Conservation nonprofit Resource Central's waterwise Garden In A Box program is returning with a late-summer restock beginning June 24, following the strongest spring season in the program's twenty-three-year history. This spring, more than 10,700 low-water perennial do-it-yourself garden kits were distributed. The late-summer availability arrives as Coloradans look for practical ways to reduce water use while drought conditions persist across the state.

Resource Central's Garden In A Box is a water conservation program focused on replacing water-intensive grass lawns with pollinator-friendly, colorful, drought-tolerant plants. Since 2003, the program has distributed nearly 87,000 kits. Compared to traditional grass, Garden In A Box participants save an average of 5,000 gallons of water per year, and across all gardens' lifetimes, an estimated 71.9 million gallons is saved. Those figures come from a peer-reviewed analysis of actual water records across Boulder, Denver, Lafayette, Longmont, and Westminster.

Garden In A Box is great for beginners; no gardening experience is required. Each kit includes a plant-by-number map that shows exactly where each plant goes. The 4-inch starter plants are selected for Colorado's climate and cultivated to thrive in clay-heavy soils and wide temperature swings.

"This spring, our Garden In A Box program had the most participation in Resource Central's history. The demand reflects how seriously Coloradans are taking drought and looking for ways to save water," said Neal Lurie, President & CEO. "Garden In A Box kits give homeowners a proven, practical way to reduce their outdoor water use without needing a green thumb, and late summer is great for getting plants established."

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Outdoor water use accounts for roughly 50% of all water use in a single-family Colorado home, and most of that goes to traditional grass. Garden In A Box participants use approximately 8 gallons per square foot per year, compared to roughly 19 gallons per square foot for cool-season grass, like Kentucky Bluegrass. Reducing outdoor water use is where conservation has the greatest impact and Resource Central's proven programs make it easy, from Garden In A Box kits, to discounted Lawn Replacement services, to no-cost Slow the Flow sprinkler evaluations, and free Waterwise Yard Seminars.

Late Summer Garden In A Box Restock

Starting June 24, Coloradans can pre-order Garden In A Box waterwise kits online, choose from:

• 8 large garden kits with professionally designed plant by number maps
• 4 different nine-packs for smaller spaces
• Options for full-sun or partial shade gardens, ground cover or grasses
• Kits range from small nine-packs to 100-square-foot gardens with up to 29 plants

New for late summer 2026, the Boogie Bees is a smaller, full-sun garden designed for beginners or tighter spaces. It produces colorful blooms and supports pollinators throughout the season.

Late Summer Is Great for Gardening

Many homeowners assume spring is the only time to plant, but August through October offer advantages for establishing drought-tolerant perennials in Colorado.

• Warm soil promotes strong root growth: Plants direct their energy into root development rather than splitting effort between roots and above-ground foliage, establishing a stronger foundation heading into winter.
• Cooler air reduces transplant stress: Late-summer air temperatures are milder than peak July heat, which means less transplant shock and lower water loss through evaporation.
• Plants transition more easily: Shorter, brighter days help perennials adapt to their new conditions before dormancy sets in.
• A head start on spring: Gardens planted in late summer often emerge more quickly the following spring because roots are already established before winter.

Local Rebates and Incentives

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Resource Central partners with local water providers and governments to offer $25 discounts on Garden In A Box kits to eligible customers. Homeowners can check whether their provider participates through the eligibility tool.

Garden In A Box Restock and Pickup Details

• Online store opens: June 24 at https://resourcecentral.org/gardens/shop/
• Pickup season begins: August 15
• Pickup season ends: September 12

Multiple pickup dates and locations are available across Front Range and western slope communities. Customers select their preferred pickup date and location when ordering.

About Resource Central

Living sustainably should be easy. That is why Resource Central makes it simple for people to save water and reduce waste through innovative programs. For 50 years, our nonprofit has helped more than one million Coloradans turn small actions into big impact. Learn more at ResourceCentral.org.