Landscaping and water conservation are two topics that many homeowners, business owners, and people in general are interested. It is important to understand how these things work together for a healthy environment. Landscaping can have an effect on the amount of water your household uses; it all depends on what kind you do. Here we will discuss some landscaping ideas that may help reduce your water consumption while still looking great!
Plant Drought-Resistant Plants in Your Garden
You can help conserve water by choosing plants that are drought resistant. Most professional landscaping contractors like CreativeGreenAZ.com advocate the use of drought-resistant plants as they have numerous benefits.
You will save money in the long-run since these plants don’t need as much watering and they won’t require you to purchase a lot of fertilizer for them. General landscaping guidelines recommend planting native, low maintenance plants such as cactus or succulents which may be more expensive up front but don’t cost anything extra because they’re easy to maintain!
Install Rain Barrels
Install rain barrels to collect water for landscaping needs. Rain barrels are great because they can be used to water plants, fill up tree pots with a little bit of extra water for any thirsty plants that just need it or even provide an emergency source of drinking water in case you don’t have access to clean sources.
One way to maximize the amount of rainwater collected is by sizing your roof and gutters properly so that when it rains, all the excess goes into your storage tanks rather than spilling out onto the ground!
This will help reduce the demand on local reservoirs and aquifers which might otherwise run dry during periods of drought. It’s a win-win situation!
Use Mulch
Use mulch around trees and plants to reduce evaporation from the soil. It will also help keep moisture in the soil so that plants can thrive.
Mulch is something you can collect from your yard, but if not available or easily accessible it’s worth asking local Splitz Firewood & Mulch providers for a few bags of mulch to save on this important resource!
Use organic mulch like leaves and bark as opposed to synthetic ones made out of plastic which are toxic and release chemicals into the environment over time when they decompose.
Native Landscaping & Water Saving
Native landscaping has the best chance of helping conserve water. These plants are indigenous to your local region and will not require as much maintenance or watering. This is important because it means you won’t have to spend so much time caring for them! Native trees may also provide shade, which can help keep your house cool in hot summers when that extra heat doesn’t need any additional assistance getting inside.
You should always look into native plantings before investing a lot of money on other types like roses or more exotic species such as palms and bamboo. Landscapes with these plants usually cost less in upkeep than others do because they don’t require consistent attention every week; this could save you some cash over time yet still give you the look you want.
The best time to plant your native plants is when they are dormant, which means during the winter months or at least in late fall before it gets too cold for them outside. This will give them a chance to get established and grow bigger before coming under their first spring frost. If you’re planning on planting from seedlings, be sure not to disturb the roots by removing everything else around them; this can cause transplant shock that could stunt growth rates significantly over time.
More Hardscape & Water Saving
Plant groundcover instead of grass. Groundcovers are inexpensive and require little maintenance, saving you time in the long run. However, they can be a bit tough to walk on if you have small children or pets that like to play outdoors; this is when it’s okay to use natural turf such as lawns made of native plants which provide excellent drainage and rain absorption capabilities so your water bill won’t skyrocket from those unexpected downpours.
Avoid planting any trees with shallow root systems near the edges of your property where tree roots will encroach onto sidewalks or other structures and cause damage over time; these types tend not to do well living close to hard surfaces because those areas dry out quickly after rainfall events.
Drip Irrigation and Water Conservation
Landscaping and water conservation go hand in hand. Aside from saving you time, drip irrigation is also an environmentally friendly solution for your lawn because it does not require any chemicals or waste materials to be used. The best part about this form of irrigation? It doesn’t require much effort on your end; just a few holes poked into the ground (or at most installing an above-ground system) and then set up the timer so that it waters only when necessary – usually every other day.
Watering with a hose can cause major issues over time as well due to erosion caused by running water which increases soil compaction and decreases its infiltration rate. I recommend using native plants as natural turf instead of synthetic turf if you have small children because they will be less likely to trip on it.
Rain Cisterns and Water Conservation
Rain cisterns are a great way to conserve water and have it available for when you need it. Rain is then collected in the cistern, usually above ground with a cover on top that prevents debris from entering the tank. The amount of rainwater needed for irrigation varies greatly depending on where you live so check your local weather patterns before starting any projects!
Gray Water and Water Conservation
Gray water is the term used to describe wastewater that does not contain human fecal matter. Examples of gray water include bath, shower and sink drain waste water which can be collected from your home or place of work using a septic tank system. Gray water is not a novel idea as it has been used by people for centuries.
Composting and Water Conservation
Composting, like rain harvesting and gray water use, conserves water. Composting is the process of converting organic waste such as grass clippings into a material that can be added to garden soil or used for mulch. This process breaks down pollutants in the compost pile while releasing nutrients back into the soil which creates an excellent fertilizer for your lawn and plants!
I hope this post has educated you on how to conserve our most precious resource: water.