Going Green - Five Steps to a Water-Wise Landscape 

Outdoor water use is the single biggest guzzler of water in either your home or the landscape. In fact, during the summer months, half of all water use is for the lawn and landscape! It is possible to conserve water - a natural resource - lower your water bills, and still have a beautiful landscape. Just follow these seven steps:

1. Add Organic Matter to the Soil
All soils are not created equal. Soil is simply a bunch of mineral particles of different sizes. If most of the particles are large (sand) water drains through too quickly. If most of the particles are small(clay) water drains too slowly. The solution is the same for both situations - organic matter. In a sandy soil, organic matter slows the rapid movement of water through the soil, thus making it more available to plant roots. In heavy clay soil, the addition of organic matter increases infiltration of water which reduces runoff and wasted water.

Organic matter in the form of compost, manures, or even chopped up leaves will improve the soil texture and its water holding capacity. Before you plant, blend 4 to 6 inches of organic matter into the top 12 inches of the planting area. Of all the improvements that can be made to create water-wise landscape adding organic matter is one if the most important.

2. Deliver Water Directly to the Roots
Drip irrigation insures that up to 90% of the water you apply to the garden is actually available to your plants. Above ground sprinklers can claim only 40% to 50% efficiency. Drip irrigation minimizes water loss through evaporation. It also keeps the areas between plants dry, and this dramatically reduces weeds!

Drip irrigation will also encourage healthy roots which can penetrate deep into the soil. Roots will only grow where water, air, and nutrients are present. Why are deep roots important? Deep roots increases a plant’s resistance to drought.

3. Use Water Conserving Mulches
A mulch is anything that covers the soil, it will minimize water loss though evaporation. Organic mulches include wood chips and compost.

But, a mulch does a lot more that cut down on water use - it improves soil texture, it suppresses weeds, and it reduces soil erosion! A 3 inch layer of mulch can cut water use in half just by reducing evaporation. Organic mulches also retain water and increase humidity around the plants. Plan to add a new layer of mulch every 3 years or so. Technically bark is a an organic mulch, however; bark does little to improve soil texture.

4. Limit Turfgrass
Lawns require more water and maintenance than any other part of the landscape. It's a good idea to limit turf to those places with high use and/or high visibility. Design lawns so they can be efficiently water. Eliminate odd shapes and long narrow strips of lawn less than 8 feet wide. Replace long narrow strips of lawn (most often located in the side yard) with a path or stepping stones. Replace shady lawns plagued with moss by planting shade loving ferns and ground covers.

5. Use Water-Wise Plants
Using native and other water-wise plants is the last piece needed to successfully create a water-wise landscape. Many delightful water-wise plants thrive in out PNW climate. Do not think you are limited to junipers and yuccas. Check out the list of my top ten favorite water wise plants:

Serviceberry (native plant)
Vine Maple (native plant)
Cutleaf Staghorn Sumac
Ceanothus 'Victoria'
Strawberry Bush
Purple Rockrose
Escallonia 'Newport Dwarf'
Helianthmum
Russian Sage
Blue Oat Grass

For a complete list of my favorite water-wise plants, click here.

Author Mary Jo Buza, is a landscape designer and owner of Gardens by Design. She has 25 years experience maintaining, designing, and teaching gardening in the South Sound. For more information on a custom landscape design or consultation call 360-923-1733.