Extension Report

Baldwin County Extension Office

302A Byrne Street

Bay Minette, AL  36507

Mike McQueen

Regional Extension Agent

Home Grounds, Gardens & Home Pests

June 9, 2009

Conserving Water in the Landscape

It is important to plan a design for the landscape. The types of plants used and their location, the condition of the soil, and other factors, all affect how much water must be used to maintain the landscape.

Hydrozoning is locating plants according to a landscape’s differing levels of shading, soil evaporation rates, and exposure to surrounding weather conditions. Early in the design process, the landscape should be divided into low, moderate, and high water use areas. Walk around the landscape and identify places where the soil stays moist for longer periods of time and separate them from areas that have full sun exposure that have a tendency to dry out quickly.

Low water use areas should make up as much of the landscape as possible when water conservation is desired. Low water use areas are usually located away from the most traveled areas of the landscape, but this is not a requirement. Moderate water use areas should include plants that are established and only require irrigation every two to three weeks in the absence of rainfall or when they show visible signs of stress, such as wilted foliage and off-green color. High water use areas should be limited to and should be strategically located for high visual impact and easy access, such as areas around patios, decks, pools, or entryways.

As a starting point, ten percent or less of the total landscape should be zoned for high water use, thirty percent or less for moderate water use, and sixty percent or more for low water use.

Plants vary tremendously in drought tolerance. Many native plants, once established, often require little supplemental water or maintenance, but don’t assume that all native plants are drought tolerant or suitable for home landscapes.

Whenever possible, incorporate native wooded areas into the landscape and blend these areas with the planted portions of the landscape. Weedy and undesirable understory plants should be removed to create more open areas. It may be necessary to remove some canopy trees to reduce competition and improve the health of remaining trees. Large canopy trees should be strategically placed to keep the landscape cooler and reduce water loss while providing a comfortable living environment. In planted areas, it may be tempting to position plants close together so they are more visually appealing when they are young. Drastic pruning will probably be needed as plants reach maturity, which increases water use and plant stress. Before placing plants in the landscape, do a little research to learn the mature size of the plants so you can allow enough space for them to grow and mature.

Windbreaks help keep the plants and soil from drying. Use trees, informal hedges, shrubs, or tall ornamental grasses as natural windbreaks.

Decide which plants should be watered first, second, and third, considering plant value, replacement costs, time to grow a comparable plant, and which ones are the most important to you. One essential feature of a water-efficient landscape is the gardener’s judgment on when irrigation is needed as opposed to relying on an automated timer.

For more gardening information, contact the Master Gardener Information line at 1-877-252-4769, or visit us on the web at .

Email address: mcquegj@aces.edu

Phone number: 937-7176 or 943-5611, 928-0860, ext. 2222

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities) in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture is an equal opportunity educator and employer.