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Extension Report
Baldwin County Office
302A Byrne Street
Bay Minette, AL 36507
Mike McQueen
Regional Extension Agent
Home Grounds, Gardens & Home Pests
July 15, 2008
Conserving Water in the Landscape
Did you know that 33% of the water Americans use daily is used to irrigate lawns, water gardens, and maintain landscapes? In just one year, the amount of water wasted by the average homeowner can be enough to fill three backyard swimming pools.
As much as 50% of that water goes to waste because of overwatering, runoff, and evaporation. Because of this, the landscape provides the best opportunity for water conservation at home. Xeriscape landscaping is an inventive and complete approach to landscaping for water conservation. It has already been adapted in many western states. Using the xeriscape approach to landscaping can provide 35 to 70% savings in water. Planning and design, soil analysis, suitable plant selection, practical-sized turf areas, efficient irrigation, mulches, and appropriate maintenance are all important components for successful xeriscape landscaping. There are many benefits of this type landscaping which include reduced water use, lower energy use because less pumping and treatment are required, reduced heating and cooling cost because of careful placement of trees, decreased storm water and irrigation runoff, fewer yard wastes, increased habitat for plants and animals, and lower labor and maintenance costs.
What the Homeowner Can Do
- Select plants that are adapted for your area. Use native plants, especially those that need little water and maintenance.
- Group plants that have similar water needs and schedule irrigation for early morning hours to reduce evaporation.
- Water deeply once a week rather than applying lesser amounts daily.
- Use compost to help retain soil moisture.
- Use a professionally designed irrigation system for specific landscape situations.
- Use drip-watering systems for herbaceous plants and individual trees and shrubs.
- Water when plants are dry to avoid drought stress. High water use zones usually require 1 to 2 inches of water per week. Clay soils usually require 1 inch of water per week, and sandy soils need 2 inches of water per week applied in split applications.
- Consider using a rain garden to collect water and avoid runoff.
- Mulch adequately to conserve soil moisture and reduce crusting and compaction.
- In general, grasses use the most water of any component in the landscape. Plant grass only where necessary, such as recreation spots and light traffic areas. Grass can be replaced with other types of groundcovers, low water use plants, mulches, permeable surfaces (gravel, stone pavers, or decking).
- Select the appropriate grass type for your area and for its intended use.
- Incorporate organic matter into soil beds when planting shrub and flower bed areas.
- Increase your soil’s water holding capacity by planting ground covers in bare spots.
- Water between 4 a.m. and 9 a.m. to reduce evaporation and allow water to move into the root zone. This also helps reduce disease problems.
Preparing for the Future*
As the United States continues to become more urbanized, water becomes more precious and critical to conserve. As populations increase, the demand for water becomes greater. As individuals, we can make a difference by ensuring that our landscapes are cared for by following these best management landscape practices. Voluntary conservation of water can delay the need for more legislative restrictions and regulatory penalties. If each individual does his or her part, future generations can be assured of having clean water for drinking, wildlife habitats, and recreation as well as an environment that can be enjoyed by future generations.
*Source: Environmental Protection Agency http://www.epa.gov/www.aces.edu
Lead Safe Work Practices Training July 25 in Mobile
Many homes built before 1978 contain lead-based paint. It is critical that renovation, remodeling and repair activities use methods to reduce and control dust and debris from lead-based paint created during work. Even a small amount of dust can cause permanent brain and nerve damage in children. For these reasons, we need to use lead-safe work practices to avoid making dust from old paint and we must clean up as if we did make dust.
The Alabama Cooperative Extension System, in cooperation with the Auburn University McWhorter School of Building Science and the Alabama Department of Public Health is offering contractors, property managers and other health and housing professionals an EPA/HUD-approved Lead-Safe Work Practices Training July 25 in Mobile to help them learn how to work with lead-based paint safely. For anyone working on federally-subsidized housing, this training will enable you to work on lead-based paint independently without a licensed abatement contractor supervising you.
The one-day training will also help you prepare to comply with EPA’s new Renovation, Repair and Painting rule. Contractors disturbing paint in most housing and child-occupied facilities built before 1978 will need to be certified by EPA after April 22, 2010 and comply with EPA’s new lead-safe work practice requirements. With this training, you will only need to take a half day refresher course instead of the full-day initial training when the new certified renovator training is offered in late 2009.
The training will be offered at the Mobile County Extension Office, 1070 Schillinger Road N from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. The registration fee is $15. For more information and registration, visit http://www.aces.edu/lead.
Identity Theft Program
There will be an Identity Theft Program at the Baldwin County Extension Office, 302A Byrne Street in Bay Minette on July 23 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. Topics will include: how to prevent identity theft and what to do if you become a victim of identity theft.
Email address: mcquegj@aces.edu
Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222
Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work in agriculture and home economics, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, and other related acts, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M University and Auburn University) offers educational programs, materials, and equal opportunity employment to all people without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, veteran status, or disability.
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