Denver Water understands that many customers enjoy growing vegetables and annual flowers. If grown correctly, a vegetable garden and annual flowers can use water efficiently, oftentimes consuming the same amount of water as a similar-sized plot of grass.
Does a vegetable or annual flower garden use more water than a lawn?
A healthy vegetable and annual flower garden needs about the same amount of water as a lawn does. If you replaced your lawn with a vegetable garden, and watered the garden efficiently by hand or with a soaker hose, you wouldn’t see much difference in water consumption.
What’s the best way to water a vegetable or annual flower garden? 
Vegetables and flowers can grow in an efficient manner if they are irrigated properly. We suggest using drip irrigation for those with irrigation systems. Otherwise, water by hand or with a soaker hose to ensure vegetables receive water at their roots. Use a hose timer while watering to track water use.
Does Denver Water limit the number of days I can water my vegetable or annual flower garden?
No. While we ask that you water your lawn no more than three times a week, we do not restrict the number of days you water your vegetable and flower garden. Vegetables don’t need more water than grass, but they need water more often.
Does Denver Water limit the time of day I can water my vegetable or flower garden?
No. We ask that you not water your lawn between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m., when the daytime heat causes spray irrigation to evaporate. When vegetable and flower gardens are watered with soaker hoses or by hand, evaporation isn’t as problematic. Still, cool mornings are the best time to water your vegetable garden. You’ll use less water, and the plants will be ready for a day in the sunshine.