Water Conservation Landscaping
The American Water Works Association reports that 85% of landscaping problems result from overwatering. The careful use of water is a good way to save a natural resource as well as money and time while growing a healthy garden.
Water conservation landscaping can include formal gardens, clipped hedges or native flowers, grasses and shrubs. Plants that are native to an area are often more resistant to drought conditions and need less watering.
Landscaping planning and plant selection
Planning is a very important aspect of successful conservation landscaping.
- Group plants in a landscape design according to their water needs. Plan with the “micro-habitats” of your landscaping area in mind: drought-tolerant plans can be placed on berms, tops of slopes or other dry areas. Plants requiring more water can be grouped at the bottom of a slope, an area that receives rainwater runoff or other moist area.
- Consider using nursery-grown plants native to your area. Native plants are often more drought resistant than non-natives. Native plants are already adapted to your local climate, soils, and native insect pests, so they are generally more care-free than non-natives. The following resources provide information on using plants native to Virginia and where to buy them.
Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Division of Natural Heritage
217 Governor Street
Richmond VA 23219
(804) 786-7951
Virginia Native Plant Society
Lawns
The concept of lawns in the United States is a European import. While lawns may thrive with little care in areas with cool summers and ample rainfall, in most parts of the United States they are a high-maintenance landscaping component. Lawns may require up to 3 or 4 feet of water a year! Reducing lawn areas wherever possible allows you to accomplish the following:
- save water
- reduce the amount of lawn pesticides and fertilizers that can runoff with rain and pollute waterways
- reduce time spent mowing, as well as reduce lawn mower noise and air pollution.
Lawn alternatives
Consider retaining lawn areas only where they are desired for recreational purposes or heavy-traffic areas. Below are some alternatives to high-maintenance, expansive lawns.
- Plant groupings of large and small trees and shrubs, and keep the plantings well mulched.
- Consider planting groundcovers. Avoid groundcover species that can invade natural areas and choke out native vegetation. A groundcover or sprawling vine can be planted on slopes; this will also prevent erosion.
- Plant a grass and wildflower garden.
- Consider adding a deck to your home.
Keep water where you need it!
Rainwater should always be diverted away from house and building foundations. You can, however, find ways to let your landscaping take advantage of rainwater runoff:
- Shrubs and other plants can use runoff from downspouts, driveways or other paved areas.
- Plants that need a lot of water should be placed in areas that naturally receive a lot of water like drainage ways, depressions or at the bottom of hills or slopes.
You can increase the water-holding capacity of your soil and plantings.
- Mulch plantings to cover and cool soil, and discourage evaporation and erosion. Mulch also discourages weeds, which take valuable water away from plantings.
- Add compost to plant beds to improve the water-holding capacity of your soil.
Shrubs should not be placed near a home's foundation because watering them may damage the foundation.
Efficient irrigation systems
Go to www.waterwiser.org and click on <Links> for Internet resources on irrigation systems.
Additional information on conservation landscaping is available through the following links:
If you have questions regarding outdoor planting during drought periods or watering plants with recycled (“gray”) water, please contact your local garden center or Extension Office.