For many residents, the warmer weather is an opportunity to finally get outdoors after a long cold winter and install or renovate the residential landscaping. There are many important elements that will help to assure a healthier, more water-efficient landscape that is better suited for the local climatic conditions.

Elements for saving water through landscaping

Landscape planning and design should consider the user's needs, routine and budget as well. The yard's desired finished appearance, long-term maintenance goals and irrigation requirements too. Plant selection is perhaps the single most important element in any sustainable landscaping plan. Select native and other drought tolerance ground covers, flowers, shrubs and trees. Many drought-tolerant plants tend to be a little slower growing that helps with maintenance as well. Group plants with similar water needs together. Hardscapes are areas that are not planted, like walkways, decks and patios. Hardscapes can provide quiet places to better enjoy the yard and can often be created from recycled materials like old timbers or broken concrete. Consider placing several planted pots on a deck or other hardscape area to reduce water demands. Soils vary in pH and texture and can differ in drainage characteristics from one area of town to another. Check whether a soil improvement additive may be necessary before planting. Organic compost can improve many soil conditions. Mulching or covering the surface of the soil can reduce weed growth and the amount of water weeds divert from a yard's plants. Mulching protects topsoil from erosion and reduces evaporation and organic mulching can replace important nutrients too. Smaller turf areas can greatly reduce the amount of water needed to support the yard. For optimal savings, limit the lawn areas to not more than 20% of the total landscaped area. Irrigation systems should be well thought out and utilize drip systems whenever possible. Design sprinkler layouts to maximize the plant coverage while minimizing over spray onto hardscape areas. Maintenance of the new, resource efficient landscaping will be easier, less time consuming and much more enjoyable than before that will allow the greater opportunity to actually relax in the yard after working so hard to create it.

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