Go “GREEN” with Your Green
By: Dave Hartman
Best Practices for Water Conservation
In Texas about 25 percent of the water supply is used for landscape and garden watering. Much of this water is used to maintain traditionally high water-demanding landscapes, or it is simply applied inefficiently. One popular strategy for water reduction is Xeriscaping.
Xeriscaping
refers to a method of landscape design that minimizes water use. Other commonly used phrases are drought-tolerant, zero scaping and smart scaping. Some cities have mandated the use drought-tolerant plants. Check to see if your city has such a mandate.
According to the Texas Agricultural Extension Service, “Xeriscape landscapes need not be cactus and rock gardens. They can be green, cool landscapes full of beautiful plants maintained with water-efficient practices. The same green Texas-style landscape which we are accustomed to can be achieved and still conserve water.”
Best Practices:
- Don’t over water
- Implement a zoning system – grasses, shrubs, trees
- Permanent sprinkler system – more efficient than hoses
- Drip irrigation – more efficient than sprinkler… can use lower quality water
- Mulching – conserves moisture
- Proper mowing and fertilizing
Helpful links:
Xeriscaping
https://thoroughreview.com/xeriscape/links.shtml
A&M Horticulture
http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/extension/xeriscape/xeriscape.html
Success stories: NY Times
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2008/08/20/garden/20080821_sustainable_ss_index.html
City of Corinth
http://cityofcorinth.com/index.asp?Type=B_BASIC&SEC={75C5C898-EA0E-47D8-BF71-B96ECD7088E9}
City of Austin
http://www.cityofaustin.org/growgreen/default.htm
Texas Urban Landscape Guide (A&M)