From patch to showpiece: How a small area can win big in LTWD’s landscape contest

March 3, 2026

A landscaped yard featuring rocks, gravel, various plants, and colorful flowers, alongside a concrete walkway.

Every great yard can start with a small step and a patch of ground. The Little Thompson Water District’s Water-Wise Landscape Contest is back for 2026, giving our customers a chance to show how beautiful, colorful and low‑maintenance a water‑wise yard can be. You don’t need to be a landscape expert or overhaul your entire property; just 200 square feet is enough to participate. Sharing the experiences from one of our 2025 winners will demonstrate how a water-wise yard can fit your home, your schedule and your budget. 

TL: DR Summary 

  • You only need to update 200 square feet of your yard to enter the 2026 Water-Wise Landscape Contest, not your entire yard. 
  • Thoughtful plant choices, colorful rock and simple design strategies helped one of our 2025 winners, Suzy, create a beautiful yard that uses less water. 

Real people, real yards 

The Water-Wise Landscape Contest is designed for real people with real yards, not just professionals or long‑time gardeners. The 200‑square‑foot minimum is intentional. It’s big enough to make a visible difference but small enough to be realistic for most homeowners. A water-wise yard may be a strip along your driveway, a corner of your front lawn or a bed by the front walk that you’ve always wanted to improve. 

Focusing on a defined area lets you experiment with your desired landscape and learn what works in our climate without committing to a full yard renovation. It also means you can take on the project in stages, adding plants and features over time. The contest recognizes spaces that use water wisely, support native or water-wise plants and contribute to neighborhood curb appeal, all at a scale that feels doable. 

Meet Suzy, a 2025 contest winner

2025 contest winner Suzy didn’t set out to create an award‑winning landscape. She and her husband had simply worked hard to create a front yard they enjoyed. The turning point came when a neighbor told her how much she loved the yard and suggested that she enter the contest. Later, when Suzy received a postcard from the District about the Water-Wise Landscape Contest, she thought, “Why not?” and decided to submit her yard. 

As someone who moved from Pennsylvania, Suzy expected Colorado gardening to feel totally different. What surprised her most was how many of her favorite plants actually adapted well here. She spent time walking through nearby neighborhoods, paying attention to which plants thrived in local yards. The simple habit of observing what works well in her own area and realizing that you don’t need a big budget became one of her most useful tools. 

She also discovered just how striking rock can be when it’s used intentionally. Rather than treating rock as an afterthought, Suzy carefully chose colors and sizes that complemented her plants and placed them where they would highlight the shapes and textures in the garden. Alongside those hardscape elements, she planted iris, baptisia (false indigo) and Iceland poppies, all plants she loved from back east that still performed well with the right care here. Each key plant got its own dedicated drip emitter so she could fine‑tune watering to its needs and adjust if something looked stressed. Over time, she was pleasantly surprised by how little water the plants needed once they were established. 

Everyday rewards of a water‑wise yard 

The benefits of Suzy’s water‑wise yard show up in small everyday moments. She says the garden makes her smile every time she drives up, turning the act of coming home into something a little more special. Once the plants matured, the garden also became a steady source of cut flowers, allowing her to bring color indoors. 

The yard has also sparked more connections in her neighborhood. People often stop while she and her husband are outside working to say how much they appreciate the garden. Those conversations are a reminder that improving a 200‑square‑foot patch of ground doesn’t just benefit you. It can make your whole block feel a little more welcoming. 

Tips for getting started 

If you’re new to Colorado or new to water‑wise landscaping, Suzy’s advice is simple: start with plants you already love. She recommends reading about those plants to see how they perform in our climate and checking whether local garden centers carry them. If you can find them locally, there’s a good chance they’re suitable for this area. That way, you’re building your landscape around plants that genuinely make you happy rather than working from a list that doesn’t feel like “you.” 

Choosing a specific 200‑square‑foot area gives you a contained canvas to practice any ideas. If something doesn’t work, it’s much easier to adjust in a small space. To start, think about: 

  • Drip irrigation 
  • Mulch 
  • A mix of perennials 
  • Ground covers 
  • Carefully placed rock 

LTWD programs to help you succeed

You don’t have to tackle a water‑wise project alone. LTWD offers and partners on several conservation programs that can help you move from idea to finished space. Garden In A Box by Resource Central provides pre‑planned kits with low‑water plants, simple step‑by‑step planting maps and care instructions designed for Colorado conditions. The Lawn Replacement program, also by Resource Central, helps remove a portion of existing turf and prepare the yard for water-wise landscaping. It provides guidance, design resources and financial incentives to make the transition to a low-water landscape easier and more affordable. 

Other offerings, such as water-wise yard seminars and rebates, can help you upgrade your irrigation, choose plants with confidence and stretch your budget further. These programs are designed to make that first step easier. With a focused 200‑square‑foot project, a bit of planning and support from LTWD’s conservation programs, your yard could be the next “patch to showpiece” in our 2026 Water-Wise Landscape Contest. Visit the contest page to learn more.