Water-Wise Practices

  • Efficient Irrigation
    • Use little to no irrigation
    • When irrigation is required, it is targeted to specific plants or areas that require supplemental water
    • Group plants with similiar water requirements in one place to make supplemental watering more efficient
  • Powerful Plants
    • Tried and true perennials adapted to low water use
    • Native plants and tried plants that are adapted to the climate of region
    • Some introduced plants are also adapted to the climate of the region
    • Add grasses and other flowers to fill in empty places to prevent weeds from forming
  • Mighty Mulch
    • Use of mulch to increase soil organic matter that increases soil drainage and limits weeds
    • Mulch keeps soil cool and moist in hot and dry periods
    • Mulches include: wood mulch, straw, gravel and rocks
    • Use mulches that will allow water and air to pass through (grass clippings can be too dense)
  • Thoughtful Topography
    • Use of gravity to redirect water
    • Creating basins around plants to help collect water during rains
    • Put plants that require more water in lower areas of landscape that are prone to flooding