Water Smart Landscapes

1
Water Smart Landscapes
2
Water Conservation

• Population growth has increased the demand on the
  state's already limited supply of high quality
  water.

3
Water Conservation
Water is a limited resource in Texas.
It will continue to become more limited as our
population grows.
4

• The Future
• It has been projected that by the year 2035,
  Texas will have only 85 of the water required to
  meet the needs of the population.

5
Personal Water Use

• Family of 4 direct personal use is 19,200 gal/mo.
• Texas 120 gal/day
• California 85 gal/day/person

6
Water Use Priorities

• Personal Use
• Fire Safety
• Food production
• Power Generation
• Manufacturing/Industrial
• Lawn and Landscape

7
Landscape Water Conservation
Basic Steps to a Water-Wise Landscape
8
7 Basic Principles

• Planning and design
• Soil analysis
• Appropriate plant selection
• Practical turf areas
• Efficient irrigation
• Use of mulches
• Appropriate maintenance

9
Start With a Plan
Creating a water-efficient landscape begins with
a well thought out design.

• Do-it yourself
• Hire a professional
• Gradual vs. Immediate

10
Soil Analysis and Preparation

• Organic Matter!!
• Flowers Shrubs Till in 4 inches of organic
  material

• For large trees and grass areas,
• may not be economically feasible or necessary.

11
Plant Selection

• Lower water use plants
• Combine TX Natives with well-adapted non-natives

12
Appropriate Use of Turf
Irrigated turf is HIGH water use Turf Water Use
Can Be Reduced
1/3 turf 1/3 hardscape 1/3 plant beds
13
Species Selection

• Planting Location
• Intended Use
• Water Use
• Maintenance Requirements

St. Augustinegrass, Bermudagrass, Zoysiagrass,
14
Reduced Lawn Size

• Intended Use
• Football vs Tanning
• Lawn Shape

• Patios, decks, shrub beds groundcovers.

15
Proper Mowing

• Proper Mowing Heights
• Conserves water.
• Promotes deeper, more water-efficient root
  system.
• Grows Slower and Matures
• Living Mulch

16
Height Recommendations

• Mow St. Augustine grass at 3
• Bermuda grass mow at 1
• Zoysia grass mow at 2
• No more than 1/3 total at a time

17
Proper Fertilization

• Reduced Mowing Pollution
• Once in the spring and fall
• Spring Slow-release
• Fall Quick-release

• One pound of actual nitrogen per 1,000 sf of lawn

18
If the only time you walk on it is when you mow
it you probably don't need it! LeRoy Fish
Xeriscape Volunteer
19
Irrigation Systems

• Efficiency
• Conservation
• Separates turf from trees, shrubs and
  ground-covers

20
Water Wastes

• Runoff
• Mulches
• Slope
• Evaporation
• Too much, too often
• Leaching
• Pollution

21
Watering Lawns

• Infrequent but thorough
• Deep roots
• When?
• Wilted
• How Much?
• 1 w/out runoff

22
Watering Trees and Shrubs

• Shrubs
• Establishing plants takes more
• Established plants should be watered
  infrequently, yet thoroughly
• Once a month
• Watering the lawn doesnt handle it
• Trees
• Drip line
• Soak

23
Drip Irrigation

• Water Efficiency
• Increased Plant Performance
• Applies water to the soil
• Low evaporation
• Low runoff

Highest water use plants should be placed in
areas of highest personal use.
24
Irrigation Systems

• Get to know your irrigation controller
• Rain Sensors

• Seasonal schedule changes
• Maintain the system
• Use multiple cycles per day on clay or shallow
  soils

25
Mulches

• Conserve Water
• Reduce weeds

• Moderate Soil Temperature
• Prevent Soil Compaction

26
Landscape Maintenance

• Water conserving landscapes require less
  maintenance
• Reduced mowing
• Once a year mulching
• Eliminate weak plants
• Pruning

27
5 Tips to Get You Started

• Minimize pesticide use.
• Fertilize only when needed.
• Dont bag it.
• Group water loving plants together.
• Choose the right plants.

28
WATER WISE
29
Water-Wise Landscaping

• Water is a limited and fragile resource.
• Water conservation does not mean cactus and rock
  gardens. It means common sense landscaping to
  protect water quality and quantity.

30
http//www.TexasSuperstar.com
31
Texas Superstars
32
EarthKindtm Roses

• Belindas Dream
• Sea Foam
• Marie Daly
• The Fairy
• Caldwell Pink
• Knock Out
• Perle dOr
• Elsa Poulsen
• Katy Road Pink
• Mutabilis Butterfly Rose
• Climbing Pinkie

33
EarthKindtm Roses

• Prefer well-drained soil
• Any Soil Type
• Pest Tolerance
• Full Sun
• Mulch
• Water
• Fertilize March, June, Late August

34
Water Smart Landscapes

• Slides and photos by Carol Cammack
• Text and editing by Marilyn Sallee
• Proofing and compiling by Derald Freeman
• Texas Cooperative Extension