An
adequate supply of high quality water has become a critical issue for the
future prosperity of Texas. Booming populations have increased the demand on
the state's already limited supply of high quality water. In addition,
seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and periodic droughts have created a
feast-to-famine cycle in Texas.
In urban areas of
Texas about 25 percent of the water supply is used for landscape and garden
watering. Much of this water is used to maintain traditionally high
water-demanding landscapes, or it is simply applied inefficiently.
In an attempt to
reduce the excessive water use, the Texas Agricultural Extension Service is
educating Texans in Xeriscape landscaping, quality landscaping that conserves
water and protects the environment. This concept is a first-of-a-kind,
comprehensive approach to landscaping for water conservation. Traditional
landscapes may incorporate one or two principles of water conservation, but
they do not utilize the entire concept to reduce landscape water use
effectively.
Xeriscape landscaping incorporates seven basic
principles which lead to saving water:
By incorporating these seven
principles, you can help preserve our most precious natural resource-water.
Xeriscape
landscapes need not be cactus and rock gardens. They can be green, cool
landscapes full of beautiful plants maintained with water-efficient practices.
The same green Texas-style landscape which we are accustomed to can be
achieved and still conserve water.
Start With a Plan
Creating a
water-efficient landscape begins with a well-thought-out landscape design.
Sketch your yard with locations of existing structures, trees, shrubs and
grass areas. Then consider the landscape budget, appearance, function,
maintenance and water requirements. Local landscape architects, designers,
nurserymen and county Extension agents can help in this decision making.
Implementing your landscape design can be done gradually over several years.
Soil Analysis and
Preparation
To increase plant
health and conserve water, add organic matter to the soil of shrub and flower
bed areas. This increases the soil's ability to absorb and store water in a
form available to the plant. As a rule-of-thumb, till in 4 to 6 inches of
organic material such as shredded pine bark, peat and rice hulls. For trees,
however, incorporating organic matter is not necessary; for large turfgrass
areas, it is not economically feasible.
Plant Selection
Select trees,
shrubs and groundcovers based on their adaptability to your region's soil and
climate. Texas is blessed with an abundance of beautiful native plants which
are naturally adapted to the region. Most have lower water demands, fewer pest
problems and less fertilizer needs than many nonadapted, exotic plants brought
into Texas landscapes.
Through the
support of the nursery industry, native Texas plants are becoming more
available in retail nurseries and garden centers. Combining Texas natives with
well-adapted exotic plants is a key to a beautiful, interesting landscape
which conserves water. Refer to the tables in this publications, and check
with your local nursery or county Extension agent for recommendations on
adapted landscape plants for your area.
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Outstanding Landscape Plants
for Texas Xeriscapes
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Grass Selection
When considering a landscape's
water requirement, it is important to note that turfgrasses require more
frequent watering and maintenance than most other landscape plants.
Carefully select grass according to its intended use, planting location and
maintenance requirements.
St.
Augustinegrass and bermudagrass are most often used for lawns in Texas.
Zoysiagrass, buffalograss and centipedegrass are used less often but offer
much promise for landscape water conservation.
Grasses available
for use in Texas lawns vary significantly in water requirements. Planting the
lowest water use turfgrass adapted to the region is an effective way to reduce
landscape irrigation requirements.
Achieving a
significant reduction in water consumption and landscape maintenance may also
involve reducing the size of water-sensitive lawns through the use of patios,
decks, shrub beds and groundcovers.
Also, when
designing or evaluating turfgrass areas in the landscape, consider the ease or
difficulty in watering the proposed area. Long narrow areas and small
odd-shaped areas are difficult for any irrigation equipment to efficiently
water. Try to eliminate long, narrow areas and maintain more blocky, square
areas.
Landscape
Maintenance
An added benefit
of Xeriscape landscapes is less maintenance. A well-designed landscape can
decrease maintenance by as much as 50 percent through reduced mowing;
once-a-year mulching; elimination of weak, unadapted plants; and more
efficient watering techniques.
Watering
Of the tremendous
amounts of water applied to lawns and gardens, much of it is never absorbed by
the plants and put to use. Some water is lost to runoff by being applied too
rapidly, and some water evaporates from exposed, unmulched soil; but, the
greatest waste of water is applying too much too often.
In addition to
overwatering the plant, excess irrigation can leach nutrients deep into the
soil away from plant roots, increasing the chances of polluting groundwater.
Similarly, runoff caused by excess irrigation can carry polluting fertilizers
and pesticides to streams and lakes. The waste or pollution of high quality
water through inefficient irrigation practices can be eliminated through
proper watering techniques.
Lawns
Most lawns
receive twice as much water as they require for a healthy appearance. The key
to watering lawns is to apply the water infrequently, yet thoroughly. This
creates a deep, well-rooted lawn that efficiently uses water stored in the
soil.
To know when to
water the lawn, simply observe the grass. Wilting and discoloration are signs
of water stress. At the first sign of wilting, you have 24 to 48 hours to
water before serious injury occurs. Apply 1 inch of water to the lawn as
rapidly as possible without runoff.
Watering only
when needed and watering thoroughly produces a deep-rooted lawn which is more
water efficient and drought enduring.
Trees and Shrubs
All trees and
shrubs need more frequent watering from planting time until becoming well
rooted, which may take two growing seasons. Once established, plants can then
be weaned to tolerate less frequent watering. Proper weaning develops deep
roots and makes the plants more drought enduring.
As with lawns,
water established trees, shrubs and groundcovers infrequently, yet thoroughly.
In the absence of rain, most trees and shrubs benefit from a once-a-month
thorough watering during the growing season. Remember, normal lawn watering is
not a substitute for thorough tree and shrub watering.
The feeding root
system of a tree or shrub is located within the top 12 inches of the soil and
at the "dripline" of the plant. The dripline is the area directly below the
outermost reaches of the branches. Apply water and fertilizer just inside and
a little beyond the dripline, not at the trunk. Simply lay a slowly running
hose on the ground and move it around the dripline as each area becomes
saturated to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. For large trees, this watering
technique may take several hours.
Irrigation
Systems
The goal of any
irrigation system is to give plants a sufficient amount of water without
waste. By zoning an irrigation system, grass areas can be watered separately
and more frequently than groundcovers, shrubs and trees. Both sprinkler and
drip irrigation can be incorporated to achieve water conservation in the
landscape.
Sprinkler
Irrigation
Sprinkler
irrigation is the most commonly used method of landscape watering. The two
most common types of sprinkler irrigation systems are the hose-end sprinkler
and the permanent underground system. Even though a permanent sprinkler system
can be more water efficient than a hose-end sprinkler, both systems require
little maintenance and apply large volumes of water in a short time.
If you have a
permanent sprinkler system, make sure the sprinkler heads are adjusted
properly to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways. Also, a properly adjusted
sprinkler head sprays large droplets of water instead of a fog of fine mist
which is more susceptible to evaporation and wind drift.
With either
hose-end sprinklers or permanent systems, water between late evening and
mid-morning to avoid excessive waste through evaporation.
Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation
offers increased watering efficiency and plant performance when compared to
sprinkler irrigation. In areas of the state with poor water quality (i.e.,
high salt content), drip irrigation also allows safer use of "salty water" in
the landscape and garden.
Drip irrigation
slowly applies water to soil. The water flows under low pressure through
emitters, bubblers or spray heads placed at each plant. Water applied by drip
irrigation has little chance of waste through evaporation or runoff.
Seeking
professional irrigation advice and experimenting with available drip
irrigation products in small sections of the landscape are the best ways to
become familiar with the many benefits of this watering technique.
Mulching
Conserves Moisture
Mulch is a layer
of nonliving material covering the soil surface around plants. Mulches can be
organic materials such as pine bark, compost and woodchips; or inorganic
materials, such as lava rock, limestone or permeable plastic, not sheet
plastic.
Use a mulch
wherever possible. A good mulch conserves water by significantly reducing
moisture evaporation from the soil. Mulch also reduces weed populations,
prevents soil compaction and keeps soil temperatures more moderate.
Proper Mowing and
Fertilizing Conserves Water
Mowing grass at
the proper height conserves water. Mow St. Augustinegrass and buffalograss at
3 inches; for Bermudagrass mow at 1 inch; for centipedegrass and Zoysiagrass
mow at 2 inches.
Applying
fertilizer to the lawn at the proper time and in the proper amount can save
time, effort and money through reduced mowing and watering. Fertilizers also
can be a major source of pollution of streams and groundwater if excessive
amounts are applied.
Fertilize the
lawn once in the spring and again in the fall to produce a beautiful turf
without excess growth which demands frequent watering. Use a slow-release form
of nitrogen in the spring application and a quick-release form in the fall.
Apply only 1 pound of actual nitrogen fertilizer per 1,000 square feet of lawn
at one time. By using this fertilizer schedule, no other fertilizer is needed
to maintain most shrubs and trees in the lawn area.
Other Cultural
Practices To Save Water
Other cultural
practices that add to the efficient use of water by plants are periodic checks
of the irrigation system, properly timed insect and disease control and
elimination of water-demanding weeds.
Water
Conservation Commitment
For each person
in Texas, water must always be a vital concern. Water is a limited and fragile
resource. The water used to irrigate landscapes is considered a luxury use of
water by many people. Nonessential use of water implies a special
responsibility to efficiently use the resource and to protect its quality.
Water
conservation in the landscape does not mean planting a harsh cactus and rock
garden. It means common sense landscaping to protect water quality and
quantity. It also means following the principles of water conservation to
insure continued prosperity for the residents and businesses of Texas.
By following these guidelines and tips, you can proudly
create your own Xeriscape landscape.
Xeriscape
Landscaping
Xeriscape
landscaping, quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the
environment, is the most exciting concept to hit the landscape industry in
decades. The term Xeriscape was coined in Denver, Colorado in 1978. Whether
called Xeriscape, water-wise or water-smart landscaping, landscape and water
industry professionals throughout the nation have embraced landscape water
conservation through education.
Texas has more
than 20 educational projects currently active. Demonstration gardens and
tours, seminars, television programs and design contests are just a few of the
methods used to make the Xeriscape concept familiar throughout Texas and the
nation.
The seven
principles of Xeriscape landscaping are not new; they have been practiced in
the landscape industry for decades. The concept of combining all seven
guidelines into one effort toward landscape water conservation is what makes
Xeriscape landscaping unique. The principles are given below:
| 1.
Planning and design is the foundation of any water-wise landscape.
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2. Soil analysis will determine whether soil improvement is
needed for better water absorption and improved water-holding capacity.
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3. Practical turf areas suggests that turfgrasses be used
as a planned element in the landscape. Avoid impractical turf use, such as
long, narrow areas. |
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| 4. Appropriate
plant selection keeps the landscape more in tune with the natural
environment. Both native and exotic plants make up the huge variety of
plants available for Xeriscape landscaping. |
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| 5. By simply
using efficient irrigation, you can instantly save 30 to 50 percent on
your water bill. |
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| 6. Use mulches in
flower and shrub beds to prevent water loss from the soil through
evaporation and to increase water penetration during irrigations.
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7. Appropriate
maintenance preserves the beauty of the Xeriscape landscape plus saves
water. Pruning, weeding, proper fertilization, pest control and irrigation
system adjustments all conserve water. |
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. . . seven simple steps to
landscape water conservation. Join the Xeriscape movement. Check with your
local water department, county Extension agent, Nurseryman or Landscape
Company for more information.
Water
Conservation and management
http://www.800oakwilt.com/waterconservation.html
Xeriscape and the Xeriscape logo are trademarks of the Denver Water
Department.
Photograph
copyright © Tom Barnes.
