Easy: No research or mental strain necessary - simply pick up your starter plants when they're ready and use the included plant-by-numbers maps to put them in the ground. 

Save water: Stop wasting water on areas of your yard that are hard to maintain, won't stay green, or where grass serves no purpose. 

Attract the locals: Replace your lawn with a pollinator garden that will attract and promote healthy and biodiverse habitats. 

Instant curb appeal: Quickly transform your landscape into the garden of your (and your neighbors') dreams with a convenient and beautiful Garden In A Box kit. 

Pro design without the cost: Resource Central does the work with professional garden designers to find the best combinations of waterwise plants for our climate and different types of sun exposure. 

The Garden In A Box program runs two sales each gardening season.

• Pre-order in March for pickup and planting in May and June
  
  
• Pre-order in June for pickup and planting in August and September

1. Join the interest list for all pre-order updates

2. Measure your space and determine the sun exposure

• Garden kits will be offered for full sun, adaptable, and part-shade sun exposures.
  
  
  
  • Full sun gardens require 6 or more hours of direct sunlight per day, especially between the hours of noon and 4pm.
  • Part-shade gardens require 4 hours of direct or indirect sunlight per day or periods of full sun but only in the early morning or late evening.
  • Adaptable gardens could handle full sun or part-shade exposure.

3. Pre-order your Garden In A Box online

4. Remove lawn, if needed.

• Kits are designed to replace sections of non-functional lawn for the most water-saving impacts. (Check out the Lawn Replacement program too!)

5. Pick up your Garden In A Box order.

• Garden kits include starter plants (not seeds) that come in 4-inch pots (except for the vegetable gardens whose starts are in 2-inch pots). Plants will be organized into 2 ft. x 1 ft. trays and will be hardened-off and ready to plant at pickup. Note: Gardens don't actually come in or with a planter box. It's just a catchy name for an easy, DIY kit! 
  
  
• Kits also include up to three professionally designed plant by number maps, care guides and info sheets specific to your garden in order to make installation and ongoing care easy. 

6. Plant and mulch your Garden In A Box.

• Spring gardens: recommendations say to plant after the last spring frost date in Colorado, which is usually after May 15th. 
  
  
• Fall gardens: late sumer is a fabulous time to plant perennials. Plant at least a month before the first hard frost date, which is usually early October. 
  
  
• No matter the planting season, be sure to check the weather before planting as Colorado is known for its unpredictable weather! 
  
  
• The ideal times of day to plant are in the early morning or in the evening. The cool temperatures and gentle sunlight reduce stress on new plants. 

7. After the first year, dial back the water and begin saving. 

For inspiration, here are examples of what waterwise gardens can look like:

• Explore Resource Central's inspiration hub to check out projects from other Colorado locals

• Visit these real-life demonstration gardens:
  • Northern Water Conservation Campus and Gardens
  • High Plains Environmental Center
  • Chapungu Sculpture Park

"I think this is a great program and look forward to Colorado embracing programs like this instead of wasteful grass for the sake of 'looking nice.' Thank you for the work you do!"
~2022 Loveland Participant

“I loved the process and how Resource Central guided us through it. Loved the plants, very healthy...Thank you. This was a trial for me. Next year I would like to do an area next to the driveway in the front. I appreciate the City of Loveland, Resource Central, and Garden In A Box!”
~2023 Loveland Participant

“This program is run to perfection from the ordering, communication, and pick-up. The plants are in pristine condition. We are so thrilled with our new garden.”
~2023 Loveland Participant

Be a Loveland Water and Power residential water customer (service area map) with an account in good standing (no late payments). 

We also highly recommend communicating with HOAs or property owners (if renting) prior to purchase. 

A $25 discount will be given to customers who select Loveland Water and Power as their utility provider at checkout. Discounts will only show at checkout and are limited in availability to a first come, first served basis.

Discounts remaining after the spring sale will become available to customers purchasing gardens during the fall sale. 

Note: All "six packs" and the "Best of Summer Veggie Garden" are not eligible for the $25 discount.