Water-Efficient Gardens: Still Not Convinced - Placer County Master Gardeners, California

1. Water-wise Landscaping
Vol. I Issue 2
WATER-EFFICIENT GARDENS
STILL NOT CONVINCED?
Do you think water-efficient landscape proper pruning and mowing selections for the outer areas of the
means a dry, uninteresting landscape? techniques, coupled with applications landscape. As mentioned in the
Hopefully you read the article about of mulch to help conserve soil answer above, consider the cultural
this landscaping technique in Issue 1. moisture, are all water-efficient characteristics of each plant before
landscape techniques. selecting a planting location. Many
Water-efficient landscape employs native plants, for example, require
several design techniques to fulfill its I have heard that only certain plants good drainage and won’t thrive in
promise of water-wise, resource- can be used in water-efficient heavy, clay soils.
efficient, and eye-appealing landscapes. landscape and that I shouldn’t
Adding water features, patios, and plant azaleas. Is this true? I like the idea of using mulch in my
walkways, irrigating efficiently, placing planting beds because of its many
plants with like cultural requirements No! Any plant can work in this type of benefits. What kinds of mulches
together, using plants with higher landscape as long as it is in its are available?
water requirements in an effective but appropriate environment. Water-
limited manner, limiting turf grass efficient landscape principles and First, consider composting your yard
areas, and using mulches are all part of proper plant selection guidelines waste. Composting provides a good
water-efficient landscape. recommend that when selecting plants source of mulch and reduces landfill
for your landscape you always consider levels. Nurseries and landscape
Here are the answers to some common the existing characteristics of the material suppliers sell mulch in bags or
misconceptions and questions about intended plant location. If you want to bulk. Many local programs, such as fire
water-efficient landscape. plant azaleas, for example, select a safety and air quality control, have
location that offers some shade; acidic chipping programs. Although not as
I have an established landscape soil that is moist, well drained, and rich beneficial to the landscape as organic
that I enjoy. Can I still use water- in organic matter. Place together plants mulches, inorganics, such as stone,
efficient landscape principles? with similar water needs. Water- cloth, and plastic, are an option.
efficient landscape designs include
Yes. You can make sure that your limited use of high water plants I want to set my automatic
irrigation system is operating correctly, aggregated in focal areas of the irrigation system timer. How do I
that leaks are promptly repaired, and landscape. know how often to water the lawn?
that the amount of water delivered
Lawns perform best when they receive
during irrigation is I want to use native plants in my regular (two to three times per week),
consistent with landscape. How do they work with deep watering. Generally, lawns can
seasonal water-efficient landscape? use 1 to 1 ½ inches of water a week in
needs.
Native plants that grow in your area hot, dry weather and about ½ to ¾
The
use are generally good choices in a water- inches in cooler months, if it hasn’t
of efficient landscape design because they rained. The irrigation system can be
are acclimated to the environment. turned off during rainy seasons.
Native plants that need little summer Watering time is, of course, dependent
water, once established, are good on the amount of water your system
UNIVERSITY of CALIFORNIA - Agriculture & Natural Resources
COOPERATIVE EXTENSION PLACER & NEVADA COUNTIES website: ceplacernevada.ucdavis.edu
PLACER: 11477 E Avenue • Auburn, CA 95603 Tel: (530) 889-7350 Fax: (530) 889-7397 E-Mail: ceplacer@ucdavis.edu
NEVADA: 255 So. Auburn Street • Grass Valley, CA 95945 Tel: (530) 273-4563 Fax: (530) 273-4769 E-Mail: cenevada@ucdavis.edu

2. delivers per hour. Irrigation suppliers, place and irrigating plants as needed, the
through creative landscaping;
nurseries, and your local Cooperative landscape is no longer one giant entity in
however, I live in a community
Extension office have information on which every plant gets the same care.
with deed restrictions that specify
how to determine watering times for You add nutrients and water only when
how much grass and what type of
they’re needed. You treat damage or
your irrigation system. Water your plants to use. What should I do?
disease only when and where it’s required.
lawn as the soil begins to dry out but
You can use water-efficient landscape In this way, you reduce the amount of
before the grass wilts. Irrigate in the money you spend on
morning before 10:00 a.m. principles in planning, designing and fertilizers, pesticides,
maintaining your landscape. However, fungicides, and irrigation.
Water-efficient landscape local requirements may restrict your
principles also talk Regular maintenance, such
flexibility in selecting plants for an as pruning, mowing, and
about regular maintenance, which, optimal design. checking the irrigation
for me, includes some mowing. system, is important for the
How often should I mow my grass Principles, such as planning and health of any landscape.
and how high should I set the maintaining an efficient irrigation Want more information? Still have some
blade? system, become more important in questions? Contact your local U.C.
your situation. You may consider Cooperative Extension office and ask to
When mowing your lawn, set the working with your community to speak to a Master Gardener. We love to
mower blade to cut to a height of 3 amend the existing requirements to talk gardening.
inches. If you mow lower, a shallow allow for creativity, efficiency, and References
root system can develop because the conservation of resources. The UC
grass blades are not large enough to Cooperative Extension Master California Master Gardener Handbook.
provide necessary nutrients to the Gardeners can provide information 2002. UC ANR Publication 3382.
roots. Grass with a shallow root and are available to speak to groups Xeriscape Principles. Southwest Florida
system is more susceptible to pests about resource-efficient landscaping. Water Management District.
and drought. Remove about 1 inch www.swfmd.state.fl.us
of grass each time you mow. One I’m looking forward to
inch of grass quickly decomposes and establishing my water-efficient Resources
returns nutrients to the soil – so you landscape so that I can eliminate
Placer County Water Agency
don’t have to collect the clippings. If yard work. http://www.pcwa.com
you do not wish to leave the clippings
or use a mulching mower, remember Water-efficient landscapes require a Water Wise Gardens of California
http://www.usbr.gov/mp/watershare/
that grass clippings are an excellent lot less maintenance than traditional
source of “greens” for the compost landscapes, but no landscape is Water Education Foundation
http://www.water-ed.org
pile. maintenance free. By applying water-
efficient landscape principles, such as Water Saver Home
http://www.h2ouse.org
I like the idea of saving water putting the right plant in the right
Written and compiled by JOANN MOORE, UCCE Master Gardener, and
KEVIN MARINI, UC Program Representative
WATER-WISE LANDSCAPING is a collaborative project of the University of California Cooperative Extension,
UCCE Master Gardeners of Placer and Nevada Counties, Placer County Water Agency, and the US Bureau of
Reclamation. For more information call 530-889-7388 or visit http://ceplacernevada.ucdavis.edu
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University of California, United States Department of Agriculture, Placer and Nevada Counties Cooperating