and into the crushed stones below the pavers. Once directed
into the layer of crushed stone, the water is filtered through the
soil subgrade.
There are many techniques to manage water on a prop-
erty — permeable pavers, rain gardens, etc. With a variety of
landscape projects available to address stormwater runoff on
residential sites, there is an affordable project for every hom-
eowner.
"Water can be managed with simple grading techniques and
doesn't need to be over-thought," said Modrow. "Simply being
aware and taking small steps to create a water-responsible yard is
better than doing nothing."
Managing stormwater runoff extends beyond limiting pollut-
ants the reach streams, rivers and lakes. It's also about conserving
a natural resource in danger of depletion. In the United States,
water is inexpensive and looked at as a basic right that is provided
by the municipality, whereas water is a commodity in many
other parts of the world.
"It needs to become the expectation that we conserve water
and reuse it and this will require a major shift of what an ideal
landscape currently is," said Modrow.
Katie Navarra is a landscape industry professional based in New
York. She is also an accomplished author and freelance correspondent
with more than 200 articles to her credit. She can be reached via e-mail
at katienavarra@yahoo.com.
www.landscapeirrigation.com September 2014 Landscape and Irrigation 21
Clients often think of native plantings as having a "weedy" look, but, when care-
fully planned, native plants are beautiful in any setting.
All photos provided by biota Landscape design.
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