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WATERWISE LANDSCAPING

Bill Taylor, University Extension Educator

Weston County Extension OfficeThe University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.

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WHY?•50% of household water consumed by turf and

landscape plants.

•Water demands can be decreased by 30%-80% with proper irrigation practices.

•Seas of “gravel, asphalt, and plastic” create higher temperatures and cooling costs, and damage trees and shrubs.

•Reduces mowing and grass care.

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So, What Is Waterwise Landscaping?

An attractive, sustainable landscape that conserves water and is based on sound horticultural practices.

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SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF WATERWISE

LANDSCAPING

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PLAN & DESIGN COMPREHENSIVELY• View• Slope• Exposure• Soils• Existing

Vegetation• Use

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DESIGN – STEP

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DESIGN – STEP 2

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DESIGN – STEP 3

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DESIGN – STEP

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EVALUATE SOIL AND IMPROVE IF NECESSARY

• Soil test• Do shaping, filling, removal, etc.• Fertilization and/or amendments• Organic matter

– Peat moss– Compost

• Till in fertilizer, amendments, organic matter

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GRADING• Change slopes if

needed to allow water to soak in rather than run off.

• Plants with greatest water need are put where grading provides water.

• Rock gardens work well, but avoid raised beds.

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CREATE PRACTICAL TURF AREAS

• Purpose and function– Children playing, sitting,

soft, comfortable– Ground cover, back lot,

utility– Travel– Shaded, under trees & shrubs (consider no turf here)– Separate and tend (water) these areas individually

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USE APPROPRIATE PLANTS AND GROUP ACCORDING TO WATER

NEEDS

• High water demand (smaller areas)– Kentucky bluegrass, water gardens, succulents,

most annuals, willows, cottonwoods

• Medium water demand– Other cool season grasses, some annuals, many

perennials, many shrubs and trees, native plants

• Low water demand– Warm season grasses, cactus, yucca, some

perennials, some shrubs and trees (pines and junipers) and native plants

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CHOOSE APPROPRIATE GRASSES

• Kentucky bluegrass requires ~40” of water per year - our climate is 1/4 to 1/2 of that in most places.

• Native sod-forming grasses (e.g. western wheatgrass, blue grama, buffalo grass) can thrive here without supplemental water.

• Fescues and crested wheatgrass varieties are other possibilities.

Blue Grama

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LOW WATER DEMAND PLANTS

• Needles instead of leaves• Waxy coating• Deep root system• Alternate regeneration systems• Warm season dormancy

– Ability to surge when moisture occurs

• Often will stay green and add growth throughout the season if moisture continues to be present

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WATER EFFICIENTLY WITH PROPERLY DESIGNED IRRIGATION SYSTEMS

• Group plants and establish watering zones– Each zone is watered according to the

needs and demands of the plants included

• Determine best irrigation method for each zone– Underground sprinkler, hose sprinkler, open

hose, drip irrigation, flood

• Irrigate by need, not byschedule

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WATERING

• Water deep– Turf - 8-12 inches– Trees - 2-3 feet– Use test holes or probe to determine

irrigation time required

• Water just before stress appears– Turf - turns blue-green, leaves tracks– Trees/shrubs - leaf wilt, leaf burning/browning– Learn how often this is for each of your zones

in different kinds of weather

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WATERING (cont.)

• Sprinkling is the least efficient (evaporation) - drip most efficient

• Water in cool of the day - preferably early morning

• Water trees once a week to once a month– Stop watering in September and October to harden-

in for winter– Give another good drink in November if ground

unfrozen– Water during winter whenever temperature is 45°F

or above (especially evergreens)

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USE ORGANIC MULCHES TO REDUCE EVAPORATION

• Bark or wood chips - best• Poorer - straw, sawdust• Only use rock and plastic in non-root areas • Overlay on weed barrier with lawn edging for

best results• Ideal - to drip line of all trees• Under shrubs and ground covers, in flower bed

and gardens

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PRACTICE APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE

• Proper pruning• Weeding• Fertilization• The higher the water demand in a

zone the more organic matter should be added and maintained– Compost, peat moss, etc.

• Maintain the irrigation system - especially drip and automatic systems

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