How to create a drought tolerant landscape
If you live in an area of the country that has ever experienced a drought, you well know how tough it can be to get water to your plants. Many cities are often limited to watering to one or two days a week, which can be the kiss of death for some plants. Putting in a drought tolerant landscape can be the solution to this problem and best of all reduce your workload if you are looking to lighten your landscaping maintenance. Putting in a drought tolerant landscape consists of a few different components. These are using drought-tolerant plants, harvesting water wherever possible and using efficient irrigation practices.
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- Use water-wise plants. Thoughtful plant selection is the key in a well-planned water wise garden. For example, ornamental grasses require very little water. The same is true of a number of other commonly grown plants and culinary herbs such as rosemary and thyme. The most water-wise plants of all are cacti and succulents. They come in a myriad of shapes, sizes and colors and need very little water. Consult with a professional at your local nursery or garden center for what will work the best in your area.
- Make every drop count of water count. Collecting rainwater has become extremely popular and there are many types of kits that are available from a variety of catalog and online sources. You can also funnel this water to supplement your weekly watering. Experts advise that you should water in the morning when water pressure is usually highest and winds are calm. While you should deep soak each time you water, be sure to watch for wasteful runoff. The bottom line is to water only when necessary. If you have an automatic irrigation system, you can switch it to manual mode and fire it up maybe once a week. Let it run for about 20 minutes or so, rather then having it run every day or every other day for only five minutes, as many people do. You should also use drip irrigation whenever and wherever possible. It is considered by far the most efficient way to water. In addition you should routinely inspect garden hoses, faucets and sprinklers for leaks. Keep in mind that just one small drip from a faucet can waste hundreds, even thousands of gallons of water a month. Be sure that you make repairs when necessary to all your watering devices.
- Irrigate wisely and you do not have to give up on having grass. If you are interested in having grass in your drought tolerant landscape but are not sure how it can depend a lot on the type of grass you grow and how you water it. Even in a water-wise garden, you can have turf grass, especially when it's something as drought tolerant as buffalo grass. Best of all if you choose a slow-growing turf grass it only needs to be mowed a few times a year. Another key component to a water-wise landscape is mulch. Mulch really helps retain soil moisture, stabilizes soil temperatures and keeps weeds in check. It also makes the soil much more hospitable to the critters who may call the soil home. You should apply a layer of mulch three to four inches thick; it breaks down into the soil and helps improve the organic matter content and structure of the soil over time. In areas of high winds, you should use mulches that have thick and heavy pieces, such as pecan hulls or pine bark; gravel is another good mulch that is often used to simulate the arid look of a desert.
