Water-Wise Landscaping Tips and Ideas
Working to conserve water in your landscape is good for both the environment and your wallet. There's no need to rip out the lawn completely and switch to hardscaping; you can still enjoy a green, lush landscape if you design it correctly. The following are a few water-wise landscaping ideas that you can implement.
Tip #1: Choose the right grass
If you still want or need a lawn area, begin by choosing the right type of grass. If you live in an area that is cool and rarely experiences high summer heat, then you need a grass like perennial ryegrass. It's a hardy choice, but it will brown out in extreme heat. For areas with hot, dry summers opt for a warm season grass like red fescue. It can survive heat and drier conditions without a lot of extra watering. Planting the wrong type of grass for your climate is the surest way to use more water in an attempt to keep it green during hot, dry weather.
Tip #2: Avoid moisture sucking trees
Some trees will drain an area of moisture, so they shouldn't be planted unless you live in a swamp or on a river bank. Examples include cottonwoods, ash, and cypress trees. Instead, opt for varieties that send out deep tap roots and don't upset the upper water table too much. Oaks, maples, and elm trees can survive drought and never need watered. If you want shorter shrubs, consider sumacs, lavender, or rosemary bushes.
Tip #3: Use mulch everywhere
Mulching is one of the best things you can do for your landscape. Begin with a layer of landscape fabric. This will block most weeds and prevent water loss from evaporation. Then, cover it with either bark chips or gravel to provide additional mulching and to improve the appearance of the bed. Mulch should be used anywhere there is bare soil, such as over flower beds, in dry stream beds, over dirt paths, or around trees and shrubs.
Tip #4: Choose drip irrigation
A lot of water is wasted when you water. This is because it either evaporates before it ever touches the ground, or it sits on top of plant leaves until it evaporates. For shrubs and garden beds, install drip lines that deliver water right to the plant roots. This means little to no moisture is lost through evaporation. There are even drip systems available for lawn areas. If those are out of your reach, at least switch watering to the pre-dawn hours so that little moisture evaporates.