Low-water Landscaping Solutions

Water is the most essential natural resource in this world. Water is essential for life. This may be something you already know, and you have therefore installed water conservation devices within your homes, such as low-flow toilets and aerated rain heads. Outdoor water use is responsible for 30% of residential water usage in the U.S. This amounts roughly to 58,000 gallons a year per home, which is mainly used for watering the lawn and gardening.

You don’t need to use a lot of money or water for a beautiful garden. Low-water landscaping solutions, based on the location of your home, can allow you to enjoy lush, healthy lawns and gardens while also saving money.

Why Low-Water Landscaping?

The primary reason for planting a low-water landscape is to save on water. There are also many other benefits.

• Increased curb appeal can result in a higher home value.
• Conservation of natural resources and lower energy consumption
• The creation of habitat for native animals
• Lower landscaping labor costs and maintenance

Low-Water Landscapes

These tips can help you achieve the best results, whether you’re creating a new landscape for your property or improving an existing one.

• Use native plants: Choosing plants that are native to your area is the best way for low-water landscaping. These plants can be adapted to local soil and climate. Once established, they will not require additional water. They do not require any fertilizer and are much more resistant to pests and diseases in the local area than plants from other countries. We will help you find plants in your region.

• You should plant turf only when you can. Grass is more water-intensive than any other type. Low-water vegetation is a good alternative to your lawn. You can then choose the right grass for your area: Buffalo and Bermuda grasses are very popular, Kentucky bluegrass grows well, and Fescue grass is good too. In the Northern U.S., moss and evergreen groundcover can be used as an alternative to turf grass.

• Consider the microclimate of your yard. It can have an impact on what you can and cannot plant in it. It is important to consider factors such as sun exposure, wind speed, moisture levels, and evaporation rate.

• You can group plants with similar water requirements. To avoid plants over-watering or under-watering, you should create hydro-zones in your yard. The drought-tolerant dwarf heathers and pink jasmine that are native to the Southwest should be kept separate from exotic annual flowers that require more water.

Promoting Healthy Soil

If the soil conditions allow, your low-water garden will thrive.

• Use a soil tester to test the soil for pH, organic matter and soil composition. The results can affect which plants you choose for your yard.

• Add soil amendments. Soil amendments can be used to improve soil conditions, especially if the soil is heavy, sandy, nutrient-poor, or pH-extreme. Some examples of soil amends are lime, peat (compost), and gypsum.

• Aerate: Over time, soil can become compacted and reduce oxygen reachable for plant roots. Aeration helps to improve water absorption and nutrient delivery, which reduces runoff.

• Mulch is a good choice: Use mulch to cover trees, shrubs, flower beds, and other plants. This helps slow evaporation. You could use bark chips, wood grinders, pine straws, and gravel.