Every residential landscape owner should make proper landscape maintenance a priority. Regular landscape maintenance addresses current issues and prevents potential problems before they occur. Landscape maintenance keeps plants healthy and happy by controlling pests, weeds, and preventing diseases.
Large quantities of water are used in the care and maintenance of residential landscapes. Unfortunately, much of the water used in residential landscapes is wasted through evaporation and runoff. Landscaping issues and inefficient watering techniques wastes a lot of water and money.
Every homeowner should come up with an actionable plan to save water in their landscape. When you make a conscious effort to save water in your residential landscape, you demonstrate your commitment to sustainability. Homeowners can reduce their carbon footprints by reducing residential landscape water use.
Here are some simple, yet effective ways to save water in your residential landscape.
Use Native Plants
Native species are adapted to the local climate. Unlike non-native species, they do not need any special care or maintenance. They require less water than lawns and typically use less water than non-native plants. Native plants can help prevent erosion as well. Their deep root systems increase the soil’s capacity to hold water. Native species also provide food and shelter to local wildlife.
Set up Drip Irrigation
Drip irrigation is designed to help users water their plants efficiently. It delivers water directly to the roots of plants, eliminating runoff and water loss through evaporation.
A drip irrigation system uses 25-30% less water than a traditional pop-up sprinkler system and can help you save up to 30,000 gallons of water in your landscape every year. For maximum effectiveness, install a timer with your drip irrigation system.
Add Compost and Mulch Your Landscape
Add compost to your landscape and cover the area with mulch afterwards. Compost helps plants retain water, while mulch reduces evaporation. Leave some space around your plants. Avoid creating mulch mounds around them and your trees.
Harvest Rainwater
Use large cisterns to store rainwater that you can recycle to water your landscaping. Use pumps to pressurize water flow from tanks. You can also set up a system to capture grey water. Consider incorporating this into your irrigation system.
Replace or Reduce Your Lawn
Grass needs to be watered frequently. Consider replacing grass in your residential landscape with a drought-resistant ground cover that does not require mowing.
If you want to reduce the size of your landscape, replace the turf with beds of native perennial shrubs bordered with native flowers. To cut costs, use a local variety instead of exotic shrubs. Local species are inexpensive and more tolerant to diseases than exotic species.
Install a Weather Based Irrigation Controller
Irrigation controllers have come a long way in recent years in terms of efficiency and capabilities. To save even more water add a weather-based irrigation controller. This type of irrigation controller keeps track of the weather utilizing your homes Wi-Fi system. Up to an additional 25% water savings throughout the year may be obtainable with a weather-based irrigation controller.
Need help designing your dream landscape? Sweetwater Landscape has got you covered. We are the best landscaping company near you in Windsor. Our pros have years of experience creating landscapes that tick all the right boxes for their owners. To make an appointment, call (707) 887-0140.
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