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Water-Wise Landscaping: Seven Steps
Karen Panter, Ph.D.Extension Horticulture Specialist
Department of Plant Sciences
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Seven Steps
• Credit goes to Denver Water
– Originators of the xeriscape concept
– And the seven steps
Seven Steps
• Planning and Design
• Limiting Turf Areas
• Selecting and Zoning Plants
• Improving the Soil
• Using Mulches
• Irrigating Efficiently
• Maintaining Appropriately
Planning and Design
• Site analysis
– Boundaries
– Structures
– Patios
– Decks
– Walkways
• Site analysis
– Existing plants
Planning and Design
• Look for microclimates
– Orientation
– Wind exposure
– Slope
• Usage analysis
– Kids
– Pets
– Entertaining
Planning and Design
• Design
– Enhance certain areas
– Block certain views
• Implement in stages
– Time
– $$
Limiting Turf Areas
• Decks
• Patios
• Walkways
• Garden areas
• Kids
• Pets
Limiting Turf Areas
• Avoid “zeroscape”
– Total absence of turf
– Rocks, yucca, and cactus
Selecting and Zoning Plants
• Misunderstood step
• Low water requiring desert
Selecting and Zoning Plants
• Water requirements influenced by
– Plant species
– Temperature
– Soil conditions
– Slope
– Wind exposure
– Sun exposure
Selecting and Zoning Plants
• Group plants together
– similar water requirements
• Low water requiring
• Medium water requiring
• High water requiring
• Irrigate accordingly
Improving the Soil
• Our soils generally poor
– Clay
– Sand
• Add organic matter
Improving the Soil
• Organic matter
– Well-composted manure
– Good quality compost
– Peat moss
• Two inch layer
– Rototill
– Spade
Using Mulches
• Cover soil
• Reduce evaporation
• Slow erosion
• Slow weed growth
• Regulate soil temperature
Using Mulches
• Organic
– Decompose
– Improve soil
– Add periodically
– Bark
– Wood chips
– Pine needles
– Others
Using Mulches
• Inorganic
– Won’t decompose
– Gravel
– Cobblestone
– Lava rock
– Clay aggregates
– Others
Using Mulches
• On soil
• 3 to 4 inch layer
• Avoid plastic
– Restricts water
– Restricts air
Irrigating Efficiently
• Common misconception:
– Once planted, water savings start immediately
• Plants need establishment time
Irrigating Efficiently
• Base watering on need– Not schedule
• Automatic systems– Adjust according to
season
• Drip systems– Can be efficient
• Manual watering– According to need
Irrigating Efficiently
• Watering tips
– Water in the morning
– Avoid during the heat of the day
– Avoid when windy
Maintaining Appropriately
• Every yard requires maintenance
• Still need to
– Weed
– Mow
– Prune
– Fertilize
– Maintain sprinklers
– Winter water
Seven Steps
• Planning and Design
• Limiting Turf Areas
• Selecting and Zoning Plants
• Improving the Soil
• Using Mulches
• Irrigating Efficiently
• Maintaining Appropriately
Discussion Points
• Retrofits
• Limitations of drip irrigation
• Plant material
• Turf types (next presentation)
• Other?