Water Efficient Landscapes - Summary

SUMMARY
In the future we are not going to have as much water for landscape use as we had in the past. As urban areas continue to grow and develop, water shortages are likely to be a recurring problem because of population pressure on available water supply. By implementing the Water Efficient Landscaping fundamentals described in this publication, you can reduce your outdoor water use by as much as 50 percent without sacrificing the quality or beauty of the home environment. Let’s review each of the fundamentals once more:

DID YOU KNOW?
Microclimates and soil are key to developing ecologically sound and sensitive water efficeint landscapes. In natural ecosystems, plants arrange themselves according to microclimates and soil conditions.

1. Planning and Design: Start with an accurate plan of the site, identify site problems and potentials, and develop a list of needs and wants to be incorporated in the new plan. As your plan begins to take form, divide the landscape into water-use zones. Incorporate shade where possible, and develop your plan using appropriate plants.
2. Soil Analysis: Evaluate the planting soil, including its structure, texture, water-holding capacity and drainage. Let the physical and chemical characteristics of the existing soil be your guide in determining the type of soil improvement needed.
3. Appropriate Plant Selection: Select plants appropriate to the site and the imposed stresses of the environment. Any of our Southern ornamental plants presently on the market are good candidates for a water-wise landscape as long as they are adapted to the site and zoned in the landscape according to their water need.
4. Practical Turf Areas: Use turf for a function or aesthetic benefit, such as in a recreational area, an erodible slope or a welcome mat to the home. Select a turfgrass that is adapted to the site and has good drought resistance.
5. Efficient Irrigation: When irrigation is required, make every drop count by watering efficiently to prevent run-off or evaporative loss. Let your plants tell you when they need water, and avoid watering according to a set schedule or habit. Hand watering individual plants and drip irrigation on ornamentals requires 30 percent to 50 percent less water than sprinkler irrigation. Water between 9 p.m. and 9 a.m. to avoid evaporative loss of water.
6. Use of Mulches: Use fine-textured organic, nonmatting mulches when possible. Fall leaves, pine straw, pine bark, mini-nuggets and shredded hardwood bark are excellent choices. Mulch as large an area as possible under tree shrubs. Islands of unplanted mulch require no water and little routine maintenance.
7. Appropriate Maintenance: Keep plants healthy, but do not encourage water-demanding new growth. Once plants are established, reduce the amount of nitrogen applied as well as the application rate and frequency of application. Avoid plant stress by mowing properly, by thinning shrubs instead of shearing, and by controlling weeds and pests before they affect plant health. Remember, the landscape alone does not save water; it is up to us to save water. Considerable water savings can be realized simply by breaking bad watering habits and learning how to water, when to water, the most efficient ways to water and the water needs of our Southern ornamental plants.

By putting the water efficient fundamentals into practice in your landscape, you will become a good steward of the environment and you will be doing your part to ensure your family and future generations, the same quality of life we all have grown to enjoy and appreciate in Georgia.