Utilities' open house will teach how to protect home, lawn in cold season

On Tuesday, Sept. 15, Colorado Springs Utilities’ Conservation and Environmental Center and Xeriscape Demonstration Garden will wrap up its series of free open houses. The final open house, focusing on winterizing your home and landscape, will be 4 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at the center, 2855 Mesa Road.

In addition to a scheduled class, volunteers and staff will be on hand to answer questions.

Displays will illustrate cost-effective measures — including different kinds of weatherstripping and caulking — to increase comfort at home while saving on heating bills.

And don’t forget about xeriscaping just because the gardening season is winding down. Visit the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden to get ideas for plants or designs to boost your yard’s looks for all four seasons. Garden staff and volunteers can demonstrate techniques and name specific plants.


Landscape class

The “Winterizing Your Landscape” class is scheduled 6 p.m. Tuesday. Working on your landscape in the fall can help keep things looking good during the winter and will make for a healthier yard in the spring.

The class will cover what needs to be done in the fall, including cutting, dividing and planting plants, as well as ideas to deal with weeds. The class will offer steps to create a healthy lawn while saving resources.

For more information, click here, or call 668-4555.


Check out the gardens

The Xeriscape Demonstration Garden is always open to the public. The lobby is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays.

The Cottonwood Creek Park Xeriscape Garden is at 3920 Dublin Blvd., and also is always open to the public.

Both gardens are maintained almost exclusively by volunteers.