Water scarcity is an urgent, serious, and rapidly growing concern. Many areas of the country are experiencing groundwater depletion. Experts warn that within five decades, freshwater supply in many regions may go down by as much as 33%.
As the water crisis deepens, environmentally conscious consumers around the country are changing their lifestyles and habits to live more sustainably. You can contribute to the movement by conserving water in your garden and landscape.
It is estimated that residential outdoor-use accounts for nearly nine billion gallons of water every day, and most of this water is used in gardens. Around 50% of this water goes to waste because of evaporation or runoff due to overwatering.
A sustainable yard will save you money on maintenance and will also reduce your carbon footprint. Here are some ways to create a low-water garden from a landscape design company near you.
Use Drought-tolerant Plants
Since native plants have adapted to the soil in which they grow, they are able to survive in the climate with minimal need for supplemental watering. Plant native plants that are used to the local climate as they will require less overall watering since they have grown used to our usual rainfall patterns.
Native plants require fewer pesticides than non-native species and can help control erosion. Native plants are hardy and resilient while requiring less maintenance. If you plant native plants in your garden, you will spend more time appreciating the beauty and less time maintaining it.
Mulch Your Garden
Mulch is every gardener’s best friend. One of the largest benefits of mulching is water retention. Mulch reduces the amount of water lost to evaporation by shading the soil and helping plants maintain a constant temperature.
A thick layer of mulch retains a significant amount of water after heavy rains or watering. The water retained slowly trickles down to hydrate the soil. Mulch also helps with weed control by limiting weeds access to sunlight.
Make Areas in Your Garden Permeable
Permeable hardscapes allow rainwater to soak into the ground, helping recharge groundwater reservoirs. They decrease storm water runoff and provide water to plants. There are several ways to make areas in your garden permeable.
When creating a new garden from scratch or renovating an existing one, use decomposed granite or other decorative gravels instead of concrete. Install permeable pavers instead of traditional pavers. Permeable pavers can be used on top of a rain catchment system to store water for future use.
Create Shady Spaces in Your Garden
Install a pergola or a cantilever umbrella in areas that receive direct sunlight to keep the soil moist for longer. This will reduce the need for watering. Alternatively, plant trees as leaf canopies can help reduce rain runoff and capture more groundwater.
Sweetwater Landscape is a reputable landscape design company near you. We have mastered the art and science of creating functional and visually striking landscapes. To discuss the options for your landscaping, contact us at (707) 887-0140.
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