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Landscaping with water conservation in mind is good for the planet, but it is also beneficial for your bank account. In addition to saving on water spending during the dry months of the year, some communities offer versions of water-smart landscape rebates or certain development fee credits for adhering to drought-resistant landscape design, others make drought-tolerant landscapes a requirement for new construction and renovations.
Here are some of the tenets or tips for designing a landscape that focuses on water conservation and reduces water waste all year long.
Your attentiveness to a water-wise landscape plan can start long before you break ground or start to overhaul the existing landscape plan. Graywater systems entail several different components, such as:
You can Click Here to read more about greywater systems. If you’re interested in learning more about creating your own greywater system, check out this FREE, Graywater Design Manual for Outdoor Irrigation.
Finally, drip irrigation systems that are set on timers are the best way to minimize water waste, unnecessary evaporation, and to give plants the minimum amount of water they need to thrive.
Did you know that there are dozens or even hundreds of plants and tree species that are native to our Bay Area geography? Incorporating these native plants is one of the smartest ways to conserve water. They evolved to thrive right here, using only the average rainfall as their source of irrigation.
Designing a landscape using native plant, shrub, tree and flower species is an automatic way to prioritize water conservation. You’ll also benefit from greater pest resistance, as well as providing more fodder for local pollinators such as bees, butterflies, moths, and hummingbirds.
Any asphalt or concrete pavement work prevents rainwater or excess sprinkler water from permeating back into the ground. Instead, this water runs off into gutters, streets, and into stormwater drainage. This is a complete waste.
If you like the look of paved patios, consider using pavers instead. When setting closely together, pavers provide stable, attractive hardscaping features – but still allow water to percolate through the spaces in-between them. This replenishes the natural water table.
For some, installing artificial grass (artificial turf) is a no-brainer because it means never having to water or mow again. However, even modern innovations haven’t been able to create an artificial grass product that is cool on the feet or that smells as good as a real lawn.
If you are opposed to artificial turf in general but dedicated to a landscape plan promoting water conservation, consider a hybrid approach. With this method, you install artificial grass inside yards or lesser-used locations of the lawn and plant traditional lawn options where you desire them most.
Also, don’t forget about the other “green” (literally and figuratively) groundcover options we mentioned in our post about drought-tolerant landscaping, from lawn options that consume less water to groundcover options, like soft, verdant Dichondra – which does well in full sun, is drought-resistant and feels lovely on bare feet.
We mentioned above that drip systems minimize water loss through evaporation. Deep mulch and composting are additional methods for keeping water underground, accessible to plant roots, rather than evaporating from the landscape surface.
You can purchase mulch at your local garden center, and straw is an affordable mulching agent as well. Create DIY mulch from autumn’s leaf fall and wood chipping, and learn how to repurpose kitchen and yard waste into nutrient-rich compost. In addition to saving water, compost nourishes your landscape and promotes biodiversity.
Are you ready to work with a Bay Area landscape design and maintenance company that prioritizes landscaping with water conservation in mind? Contact the team here at Bay Area Landscapes.