Developing a Water Wise Landscape In cooperation with

Developing a Developing a Water Wise Water Wise LandscapeLandscape

In cooperation with

Facts About WaterFacts About Water We have the same amount of water on We have the same amount of water on

earth today as we did when the earth was earth today as we did when the earth was created. created.

Of all the earth’s water, 97% is salt water Of all the earth’s water, 97% is salt water located in the oceans and seas.located in the oceans and seas.

2% of the earth’s water is tied up in polar 2% of the earth’s water is tied up in polar ice caps.ice caps.

Only 1% of the earth’s water is fresh water Only 1% of the earth’s water is fresh water available for drinking, bathing, and cooking.available for drinking, bathing, and cooking.

Facts About WaterFacts About Water We only need about 15 gallons of We only need about 15 gallons of

water per day per person for drinking, water per day per person for drinking, bathing, and cooking, yet per capita bathing, and cooking, yet per capita water consumption in the U.S. water consumption in the U.S. exceeds 100 gallons/day.exceeds 100 gallons/day.

If every household in the U.S. saved If every household in the U.S. saved just just 1 gallon of water a day, we would save 1 gallon of water a day, we would save 120120 million gallons of water per day, million gallons of water per day, enoughenough water for a city the size of Jacksonville, water for a city the size of Jacksonville, FL.FL.

Global Demand for Global Demand for fresh water will fresh water will double every 20 double every 20

yearsyears

WorldwidWorldwidee

Challenge – Serving GA’s Growing Urban Challenge – Serving GA’s Growing Urban PopulationPopulation

GA’s PopulationGA’s Population2001 – 8.4 2001 – 8.4 millionmillion2005 – 9.1 2005 – 9.1 millionmillion2010 – 9.9 2010 – 9.9 millionmillion2015 – 10.8 2015 – 10.8 millionmillionOver half of Georgia’s Over half of Georgia’s population resides in 12 population resides in 12 counties.counties.

Two-thirds of Georgia’s Two-thirds of Georgia’s population resides in 26 population resides in 26 of its 159 counties.of its 159 counties.

21 counties have 21 counties have populations over populations over 100,000.100,000.

Average residential water Average residential water use increases 30% - 50% use increases 30% - 50%

during the summer during the summer months when citizens months when citizens turn on their outdoor turn on their outdoor

irrigation systemsirrigation systems

One portable lawn sprinkler One portable lawn sprinkler operating for 1 hour uses 360 operating for 1 hour uses 360 gallons of watergallons of water

This is equivalent to:This is equivalent to:

72 flushes of the toilet

9 full loads of laundry

14 five-minute showers

26 runs of the dishwasher

Water Conservation Water Conservation MeasuresMeasures

Summer Surcharge: Rate increases Summer Surcharge: Rate increases 25% to 100% when use exceeds 25% to 100% when use exceeds average winter consumption.average winter consumption.

Restrictions: Odd/Even outdoor Restrictions: Odd/Even outdoor wateriwateri

Bans on Outdoor Water UseBans on Outdoor Water Use EDUCATIONEDUCATION

Permanent Georgia State-WidePermanent Georgia State-WideWatering RestrictionsWatering Restrictions

Odd-numbered addresses may water on Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but not Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but not between 10 am and 4 pmbetween 10 am and 4 pm

Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, but not between 10 am and 4 Saturdays, but not between 10 am and 4 pmpm

No one may water on Fridays.No one may water on Fridays.

Goal of Water Wise Goal of Water Wise LandscapesLandscapes

To reduce and minimize To reduce and minimize the size of the area the size of the area irrigated and the irrigated and the

frequency of irrigationfrequency of irrigation

Coined in Colorado Coined in Colorado in 1981in 1981

From the Greek Word From the Greek Word “Xeros”, which“Xeros”, which

means drymeans dry

(Pronounced (Pronounced Zera-scape)Zera-scape)

Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape

Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance



Divide the Landscape into Three Divide the Landscape into Three Water-use ZonesWater-use Zones

High Water-use Zones (Oasis Zones)High Water-use Zones (Oasis Zones) Moderate Water-use Zones (Transition Zones)Moderate Water-use Zones (Transition Zones) Low Water-use Zones (Xeric Zones)Low Water-use Zones (Xeric Zones)

High Water-use ZoneHigh Water-use Zone(Oasis Zone)(Oasis Zone)

Small “high-impact” or high Small “high-impact” or high visibility area of the landscape visibility area of the landscape where plants are provided their where plants are provided their optimum water requirement at optimum water requirement at

all timeall timeEntrance to the home or businessEntrance to the home or business

Moderate Water-use Zone Moderate Water-use Zone

(Transition Zone)(Transition Zone)

Plants are watered during Plants are watered during establishment. Once establishment. Once

established, they are watered established, they are watered only when they show signs of only when they show signs of

water stress.water stress.Azaleas, dogwoods, redbuds, Azaleas, dogwoods, redbuds, herbaceous perennialsherbaceous perennials

Low Water-use Zone Low Water-use Zone (Xeric Zone)(Xeric Zone)

Once established, plants are Once established, plants are provided no supplemental provided no supplemental

irrigation, except during periods irrigation, except during periods of extreme droughtof extreme droughtJuniperJuniper

Crape MyrtleCrape MyrtleYaupon HollyYaupon Holly

OaksOaksNative AreasNative Areas

10% of the landscape is irrigated 10% of the landscape is irrigated regularlyregularly

30% of the landscape is irrigated on 30% of the landscape is irrigated on demanddemand60% of the landscape is not 60% of the landscape is not

irrigatedirrigated

Shade helps reduce water loss in Shade helps reduce water loss in the landscapethe landscape

HouseD

rive

way

Street

FatsiaAzaleasLittle Gem

Magnolia

Native Trees

Spirea

Native Oak

Nandina

Turfgrass

N

High Water-use Zone

Moderate Low

Low

Annuals

Ornamental Grasses

Daffodils/Siberian Iris/Daylilies

Pinestraw

Pinestraw

Year 1

High Water-use Zone

Low

Low

Low

Low

Moderate

Moderate

Hig

h

Year 1

Hybrid Bermuda

Liriope

Mulch

Year 2

Moderate

Water-use Zone

Low

Low

Moderate

Low

Moderate

Moderate

Hig

h

Low

Low

Low

Low

Year 2



Don’t Guess…Soil Test!Don’t Guess…Soil Test!

Use only decomposed organic material Use only decomposed organic material (right) as a soil amendment(right) as a soil amendment

More plants are killed in More plants are killed in Georgia from over-Georgia from over-watering than from watering than from

droughtdrought

Plant on raised beds Plant on raised beds Deep cultivation Deep cultivation Install sub-surface drainageInstall sub-surface drainage Select appropriate plants Select appropriate plants

Possible Solutions Possible Solutions to Poorly-drained Soilsto Poorly-drained Soils



Select Plants Adapted to theSelect Plants Adapted to theSite and the Stresses Site and the Stresses

of the Environmentof the Environment

Drought tolerance is important, Drought tolerance is important, but also consider potential insect but also consider potential insect and disease problems, sunlight and disease problems, sunlight

and soil requirements.and soil requirements.

Red-tip PhotiniaRed-tip Photinia

HostaHosta

Japanese Japanese PachysandraPachysandra

AzaleAzaleaa

Lenten Rose

MondograssMondograss

LiriopeLiriope

ShadeShade

Zebra GrassZebra Grass

Sun ColeusSun Coleus

PurplePurple PassionPassion

Mexican HeatherMexican Heather

SunSun

Little Gem MagnoliaLittle Gem Magnolia((Magnolia grandiflora Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’‘Little Gem’

ChastetreeChastetree((Vitex agnus-castusVitex agnus-castus))

Chinese Chinese PistachePistache

HolliesHollies

Japanese Japanese ZelkovaZelkova

Lacebark ElmLacebark Elm

Trident MapleTrident Maple

Crape MyrtleCrape Myrtle

TreesTrees

SpireaSpirea

Dwarf Yaupon HollyDwarf Yaupon Holly

AucubaAucuba

BarberryBarberry

Chinese HollyChinese Holly

ForsythiaForsythia

(Forsythia intermedia)(Forsythia intermedia)

MaidengrassMaidengrass

((Miscanthus Miscanthus sinensissinensis))

Shrubs / Ornamental GrassesShrubs / Ornamental Grasses

Asiatic JasmineAsiatic Jasmine

DaylilyDaylily

St. John’s WortSt. John’s Wort

Carolina Carolina JessamineJessamine

Wintercreeper Wintercreeper

EuonymusEuonymus

Blue Rug JuniperBlue Rug Juniper

((Juniperus horizontalisJuniperus horizontalis ‘Blue ‘Blue Rug’)Rug’)

LiriopeLiriope

((Liriope Liriope muscarimuscari))

Ground Ground Covers/VinesCovers/Vines

WormwoodWormwood

Artemisia Artemisia ‘Powis ‘Powis Castle’Castle’

GauraGaura

Black-eyed Black-eyed SusanSusan

Russian SageRussian Sage

Red Hot PokerRed Hot Poker

RosemaryRosemary

AgaveAgave

Herbaceous Herbaceous PerennialsPerennials

SedumSedum ‘Autumn Joy’ ‘Autumn Joy’

Baby’s BreathBaby’s Breath

VerbenaVerbena

Annual PeriwinkleAnnual PeriwinkleGlobe AmaranthGlobe Amaranth((Gomphrena globosaGomphrena globosa))

Creeping ZinniaCreeping Zinnia(Zinnia linearis)(Zinnia linearis)

AnnualsAnnuals

Dusty MillerDusty Miller

GazaniaGazania

PortulacaPortulaca

Drought Tolerance of Drought Tolerance of TurfgrassesTurfgrasses

Hybrid BermudaHybrid Bermuda

ZoysiaZoysia

CentipedeCentipede

FescueFescue

MostMost

LeastLeast

Plants Don’t Save WaterPlants Don’t Save Water

People Save People Save Water !Water !



Use Turfgrass for a Use Turfgrass for a PurposePurpose

Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat)Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat) Recreational SurfaceRecreational Surface Erosion ControlErosion Control

Minimize the amount of Minimize the amount of irrigated turfgrassirrigated turfgrass

Avoid Using Irrigated Turfgrass Avoid Using Irrigated Turfgrass Just to Fill SpaceJust to Fill Space



For most efficient use of water, For most efficient use of water, irrigate at night to avoid irrigate at night to avoid

evaporative loss of water.evaporative loss of water.

Avoid light, frequent irrigation Avoid light, frequent irrigation because it encourages shallow because it encourages shallow

rooting and increases water rooting and increases water demand of the plant.demand of the plant.

Target irrigation to plants Target irrigation to plants that show signs of stressthat show signs of stress

• Gray/green ColorGray/green Color• WiltingWilting• Dying BranchesDying Branches

Use a hand-held hose with water Use a hand-held hose with water nozzle or a sprinkler can to target nozzle or a sprinkler can to target

irrigation to plants that need water.irrigation to plants that need water.

Drip IrrigationDrip IrrigationUses 30% to 50% less water than sprinkler Uses 30% to 50% less water than sprinkler irrigationirrigationAvoids spraying foliage so diseases are less likely Avoids spraying foliage so diseases are less likely to occurto occur

No spray driftNo spray drift

Only need to Only need to water 25% of water 25% of the root areathe root area



Benefits of MulchBenefits of Mulch Prevents evaporative water loss Prevents evaporative water loss

from the soilfrom the soil Prevents soil-borne diseasesPrevents soil-borne diseases Insulates the roots of plants from Insulates the roots of plants from

extreme heat and cold extreme heat and cold Reduces weed competitionReduces weed competition

Best MulchBest MulchOrganicOrganic

Fine-texturedFine-textured

Non-mattingNon-matting

How Much Mulch To Apply?How Much Mulch To Apply?

3 to 5 inches deep is 3 to 5 inches deep is sufficientsufficient

1 bale of pine straw covers 1 bale of pine straw covers approximately 50 sq. ft.approximately 50 sq. ft.

Newspaper Newspaper placed under placed under mulch, 2- to 3-mulch, 2- to 3-sheets thick, sheets thick, helps provide an helps provide an added barrier to added barrier to moisture loss.moisture loss.



Avoid Frequent Spurts of Avoid Frequent Spurts of Vegetative Growth Brought on by:Vegetative Growth Brought on by:

FertilizationFertilization PruningPruning IrrigationIrrigation

FertilizationFertilization Target fertilization to plants that need it. Target fertilization to plants that need it.

Established trees and shrubs may not Established trees and shrubs may not need to be fertilized annually.need to be fertilized annually.

Use slow-release forms of nitrogen (Urea Use slow-release forms of nitrogen (Urea formaldehyde, IBDU, Sulfur-coated urea)formaldehyde, IBDU, Sulfur-coated urea)

Use low rates of fertilizer.Use low rates of fertilizer. Limit fertilization during dry periods.Limit fertilization during dry periods.

Prune by selective thinning Prune by selective thinning instead of shearinginstead of shearing

GrasscyclingGrasscyclingLet the Clips Fall Where they MayLet the Clips Fall Where they May

ClippingsClippingsAddAdd

NitrogenNitrogenBack Back to theto theSoilSoil

ClippingsClippingsHelp HoldHelp HoldMoisture Moisture in the soilin the soil

Clippings Clippings DO NOT DO NOT Cause Cause ThatchThatch



For Additional Information onFor Additional Information onWater-wise LandscapesWater-wise Landscapes

Contact your local county Extension officeContact your local county Extension office

Visit a local garden centerVisit a local garden center

Go to Go to www.conservewatergeorgia.netwww.conservewatergeorgia.net Visit the UGA Extension Service web site: Visit the UGA Extension Service web site:

www.caes.uga.eduwww.caes.uga.edu. Click on Publications:. Click on Publications:

• Coping with Watering Restrictions in the Coping with Watering Restrictions in the LandscapeLandscape

• Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a Water Wise Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a Water Wise LandscapeLandscape

• Landscape Plants for GeorgiaLandscape Plants for Georgia• Lawns in GeorgiaLawns in Georgia

Try these 5 to help them Try these 5 to help them thrive!thrive!

1. Water only once a week, in the absence of rain. 1. Water only once a week, in the absence of rain.

2. Soak, don't sprinkle.2. Soak, don't sprinkle.

3. Don't water in the heat of the day. 3. Don't water in the heat of the day.

4. Turn off sprinkler systems when it rains.4. Turn off sprinkler systems when it rains.

5. Mulch!5. Mulch!

Make Every Drop Make Every Drop CountCount ! !

Author:Author:Gary L. Wade, Ph.D. Gary L. Wade, Ph.D.

Extension HorticulturistExtension HorticulturistUniversity of Georgia, Department of HorticultureUniversity of Georgia, Department of Horticulture

The University of GeorgiaThe University of GeorgiaCollege of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesCollege of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences

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Developing a Water Wise Landscape In cooperation with