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1
Beautiful Landscapes Without Waste
Carol Brouwer, PhDHorticulturist
http://www.flourishandbits.com
Growing populations have increased the demand on the Texas’ already limited supply of high quality water.
2
The population of Texas is expected to double between now and 2060, from
around 21 million to 46 million
The current dependable water supply will meet only about 70 percent of projected demand by the year 2050
3
Seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and periodic droughts have created a feast‐to‐famine cycles in Texas.
Water is a limited resource in Texas, and will continue to become more limited as our population grows.
4
Personal Water Use
Family of 4 direct personal use is 19,200 gallons/mo.
Texas = 120 gal/day
California = 85 gal/day/person
Average Texas Residential Water Use
Jan ‐ 6000 gallons/mo/homeJuly ‐ 16,000 gallons/mo/home
5
Outdoor
landscape
irrigation
accounts for as
much as 60 to 70
percent of a
typical
residential
customer’s
water use in the
summer.
In urban areas of
Texas about 25
percent of the water
supply is used for
landscape and
garden watering.
6
Non‐point‐source pollution accounts for 65 percent of pollution
in rivers76 percent in lakes and 45 percent in estuaries in the United States
Municipal Water Use Priorities
Personal Use
Fire Safety
Food production
Power Generation
Manufacturing / Industrial
Lawn and Landscape
7
Conservation in the Landscape
Reduced runoff pollution
Reduced use of a limited resource
Beautiful, resilient landscape
Saves money
Landscape Water Conservation
Basic Steps to an Earth-Kind Landscape
8
7 Basic Principles
Planning and design
Soil analysis
Appropriate plant selection
Practical turf areas
Efficient irrigation
Use of mulches
Appropriate maintenance
1. Start With a Plan
Creating a water‐efficient landscape begins with a well thought out design
Do‐it yourself
Hire a professional
Gradual vs Immediate
9
Design Considerations
Budget
Appearance
Function
Maintenance
Water requirements
Rainwater catchment
Home energy efficiency
Rain Gardens
Rain gardens hold runoff for a few days
Rain soaks slowly back into the ground
Water is cleansed naturally
A rain garden can absorb 30% more storm water than turf
10
Select the plants
Adapted to extremes
Adapted to climate, soil, moisture extremes
Deep roots
Attract & support wildlife
Keep “wet zones” in mind
Wet (center)
Wet‐dry (median)
Dry (margin)
Natives or non‐natives
Try different plants
Prince George’s County, Maryland
Rain Gardens
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Rain Gardens
12
Rainwater Harvesting
Rainfall(in.)
Volume per 100 ft2 of roof area (gal)
0.5 31.17
1.0 62.31
1.5 93.50
2.0 124.69
2.5 155.81
3.0 187.00
Rainwater Harvesting
13
Rainwater Harvesting
Energy Efficiency
Shade for hot sunny portions of the house and yard
Encourage winter warming
Encourage summer breezes
14
Shady Ideas
Espalier and vines
Overhead structures
Shade the air‐condition for up to 3 degrees temperature difference in the house
15
2. So
il Analysis an
d Preparatio
n:
• Get a soil test
• Amend and fertilize as recommended.
• Limit fertilizer use to minimum required
Compost
Adds organic matter to the soil
Improves soil texture
Provides some fertility
Reduces waste production from the home landscape
Top dress or work into garden beds
Top dress turf after aeration
16
Proper Fertilization
Pounds of N per 1000 ft2 per year
St. Augustine 2-5
Bermudagrass (common) 3-6
Bermudagrass (hybrid) 3-8
Zoysia 2-4
Get a soil test.
Minimize fertilization
Fertilize at the right time
When to Fertilize
First fertilization: the first time you need to mow.
Fall fertilization: Late September or October
17
Fall Fertilization
Helps turf stay green longer
Promotes food storage
Comes out of dormancy faster
3‐1‐2 or 4‐1‐2 ratio
2‐0‐1 for high phosphorus soils
Reduced Fertilization
Reduced expense
Reduced mowing
Reduced runoff pollution
18
Fertilizers
Follow the label.
Avoid weed and feed fertilizers.
Sweep excess backonto grass.
3. P
lant Se
lectio
n
• Drought tolerant
• Flood tolerant
• Adapted vsNative
• Combine natives with well‐adapted non‐natives
19
www.texassu
perstar.co
m
• Texas Superstar Program
http://aggie‐horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/roses/
• Earth‐Kind Roses
20
4. A
ppropriate U
se of Tu
rf
• IRRIGATED turf is HIGH water use.
• Turf Water Use Can Be Reduced
Benefits of TurfEnvironmental Reduced sediment loss Reduced surface‐water and nutrient runoff and nutrient leaching
Increased evaporative cooling Mitigation of dust and smog‐produced ozone and sulfur dioxide
Human health and safety benefits Fire‐prevention traits Cushioning effect on sports fields Ability to compete with allergy‐producing weeds
21
5. Efficie
nt Irrigatio
n
• Irrigation Systems
• Separates turf from trees, shrubs and ground‐covers
• Efficient
• Can promote conservation
Zoning
Highest water use plants should be place in areas of highest personal use.
Group similar water use plants together.
22
Irrigation Systems
Get to know your irrigation controller
Install rain sensors
Change the schedule seasonallyIrrigatio
n Syste
ms
• Maintain the system
23
Wate
r Waste
s
Minimize Runoff
• Slopes
• Slow infiltration
• High pressure
• Over Watering
• Too much, too often leads to leaching and pollution
Watering Information
Some clay soils need up to 5 hours to absorb 1” of water
Sandy soils need 1 hour
Lawns need an average of 1” of water per week.
Use multiple cycles per day on clay or shallow soils
24
Wate
ring Law
ns
• Water early in morning
• Water infrequent but thoroughly
• When wilted
• 1” without runoff?
The Tu
na C
an Te
st
• Scatter empty tuna cans around the yard.
• Turn on the irrigation system
• Leave on until tuna can are full
• Time = 1” of water
• Stagger watering times to avoid runoff
25
Perio
dic Irrigatio
n Checks
• Look for dry spots
• Check for even coverage
• Check for misting
Drip Irrigation
Water Efficiency
Increased Plant Performance
Applies water to the soil
Low evaporation
Low runoff
26
Wate
r Deeply
• The more water you apply at one time, the deeper and healthier the root system grows.
6. Mulches
Conserves Water
Reduces weeds
Moderate soil temperature
Prevents soil compaction
Prevents weed‐eater and mower blight
Compost is not mulch
27
Types o
f Mulch
• Shredded hardwood
• Cypress
• Cedar
• Bark
• Rubber
• Gravel
• Concrete
Trees and Mulch
2 to 4 inches
Spread it flat.
Adds organic matter to soil
Mulch is not a decorative item.
28
29
7. P
roper M
aintenan
ce
• Proper turf maintenance
• Proper mulch replenishment
• Mow at the proper heights
• Eliminate weeds
• Eliminate the weak
• Prune
• Periodic irrigation system checks
• Use chemicals as a last resort
• Fertilize minimally based on soil tests
30
Aerating Turf
Aerate
Plugs aerators are best.
2‐4”
Blowers
By handProper M
owing H
eigh
t
• Conserves water
• Promotes deeper, more water‐efficient root system
• Grows slower
• Living mulch
31
Mowing
Mow at the recommended height
Don’t scalp
No more than 1/3 total at a time.
Mowing is stressful to the grass
Height Recommendations
Mow St. Augustinegrass at 3”
Bermudagrass mow at 1“
Zoysiagrass mow at 2”.
No more than 1/3 total at a time.
32
Don’t B
ag It
• Leave clippings
• Clippings are fertilizer
• Don’t blow into storm drains
• Reduces solid waste
Mower M
aintenan
ce
• Keep mower blade sharp
• Dull blade rips the grass
• Check oil before EVERY use
• Change oil at start or end of each season
33
34
35
36
37
EarthKind Landscaping
“Beauty without waste”
Water is a limited and fragile resource.
Water conservation does not mean cactus and rocks.
It means common sense landscaping to protect water quality and quantity.
5 Tip
s to Get Yo
u Starte
d
• Reduce your turf water use.
• Minimize pesticide use.
• Fertilize only when needed.
• Don’t bag it.
• Group water loving plants together.
• Choose the right plants.
38
Beautiful Landscapes Without Waste
Carol Brouwer, PhDHorticulturist
http://www.flourishandbits.com