TUCSON, Ariz. - Irrigation: the most used-definition includes words like "flooding," "spraying" and "diverting streams." Way down at the end of the list are words like "moisten" and "nourish." The latter words are the ones The Groundskeeper, Tucson, Ariz., likes to hear and use in the desert. The company doesn’t go for large quantities of water gushing here and there. Instead, it prefers carefully located, well-controlled, smaller amounts of water placed where it can really do some good.
As desert populations increase, water conservation is becoming more important every day. There are many tactics contractors can employ for property owners to use water efficiently and still enjoy beautiful landscapes.
Xeriscape is the use of drought-tolerant/low-water-use plants in a landscape. People used to think it meant using lots of rock and a cactus every few feet - but not anymore. The industry incorporates a wide variety of plants into designs: some for brilliant color, some for background, some for shade, some for soil retention and other factors. The industry has also learned nature’s tricks and added a few of its own to make the most of what nature has to offer.
| Make Turf Count |
A 3,000 square foot lawn uses 9,000 to 15,000 gallons of water per month, according to The Groundskeeper. Alternatively, 3,000 square feet of low water use landscaping uses 800 to 1,300 gallons - or 10 percent of the water. AVOID USELESS TURF AREAS. Parking lot islands and those strips between sidewalk and curb will be more consistently attractive and easier to maintain with xeriscape designs. |
START BELOW GROUND LEVEL. The most important component in any landscape environment is the system by which it will be nourished. For the most part, that means water. In desert settings, contractors strive to make every drop of water count. Drip systems are used whenever possible, delivering precious drops of water exactly where the moisture is needed. It is important to place drip emitters where they will have the best access to roots. If they are too close to the stalk, the water will evaporate before it reaches the circulatory system of the plant. Likewise, too many emitters will drown the plant, while too few will starve it. It takes knowledge of the plant’s growth pattern to properly place watering stations.
Some areas, such as turf, require misting from above over a wide area. Again, placement of the sprinkler heads is critical. Too many or too few will ruin a design. And those not wisely set will cost more money - and possibly cause hazards - with their overspray.
The amount of water delivered, and the timing of that delivery, also makes a difference to the health of the plant material. If water percolates too deeply into the soil, it is not doing plants any good. If it doesn’t soak in deeply enough, the roots are still not fed. In hot weather, watering early or late in the day ensures that the water can soak in before the heat steals it back. In cooler weather, early and late watering hours may bring a risk of frost.
It is imperative that any irrigation system be intelligently installed and vigilantly maintained. Clogged or broken emitters, lines or sprinkler heads do nothing for a landscape and can cost property owners and the environment dearly.
| Compost Is Nature’s Way |
Mulch made from green waste solves many problems. It returns rich organic material to the earth to nourish it and provide for the efficient use of water. It also keeps plant material out of overcrowded landfills. Weeds, lawn cuttings, tree branches and other organic materials are ground into fine particles. They are then mounded and aged. The compost is carefully monitored and tended for about 16 weeks, at which point it is ready to used as mulch, planting mix or fertilizer. |
CONSIDER WHAT IS ABOVE GROUND. Contractors can also design a landscape to harvest rainwater during the rainy season. If designed accordingly, water will collect where it will benefit the plants rather than be an obstacle to overcome.
The next consideration is the quality of the soil. Each area has its own special blend. One must know the soil type and enrich it as much as possible. Of course, fertilizers come to mind first, but a formula must be used that benefits the soil the most. The planting mix can also be improved with mulch made from green waste. Mulch not only helps the mix hold water, it recycles nutrients from natural sources.
Plant placement is another factor. Different plant types thrive in different environments. What does well in shade will not be at its best in full sun, and vice versa. Some species may be healthier when protected from wind or cold - these species would do better near buildings. Planting turf on a slope, where water runs off before it can be absorbed, is asking for trouble. Grouping cacti with plants that need lots of water spells the destruction of one variety or the other.
While turf is popular and aesthetically pleasing to many, remember that desert areas are locations in which lawns are foreign. They require large amounts of water to stay healthy compared to desert plantings. A wise choice is to employ turf in smaller areas where it will be most used and border it with lower water use plants and rocked areas.
It is also important to aerate and dethatch turf often to increase water filtration. This action will also reduce run-off and standing water during waterings or rain.
Not only is it possible to have a striking, colorful landscape in the desert southwest, modern green industry practices make it happen every day. With careful planning and maintenance, a property can bloom with life in every season, increasing the value the property and creating an environment that draws people to it - all within the definition of low water use.
Xeriscape is not a dirty word.
The above article originally appeared in the Winter 2001 issue of "The Green Theme," a publication of Environmental Earthscapes/The Groundskeeper. For more information about The Groundskeeper, a division of Environmental Earthscapes Inc., visit www.groundskeeper.com.