Landscape and Irrigation is read by decision makers throughout the landscape and irrigation markets — including contractors, landscape architects, professional grounds managers, and irrigation and water mgmt companies and reaches the entire spetrum.
Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/82656
Irrigation and Water Management Brains and Beauty R Highlighting water-smart landscapes, and how attractive saving water can be esidential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for more than 7 billion gallons of water each day. Designing a water-smart landscape can help you save money and water and doesn't have to mean piles of rocks and prickly cacti; in fact, it's just the opposite. Today's yards that incorporate hardy native plants, proper soil amendments, mulch, and Smart irrigation systems (where needed), are beautiful, col- orful, creative spaces that can add curb ap- peal and convenience. These landscapes typically require less fertilizer, pesticides, and maintenance, meaning less time mow- ing and more time enjoying their beauty. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) WaterSense program pro- vides the information and resources needed to give any landscape a water- smart make-over. Since the program's in- ception in 2006, WaterSense has helped consumers save 125 billion gallons of water and more than $2 billion in water and energy bills. Whether you are design- ing a whole yard, replacing a small section of landscape, or simply trying to improve the efficiency of an existing irrigation sys- tem, WaterSense can help you put the pieces together. Look for the WaterSense label to iden- tify water-saving controllers that will en- sure your irrigation system provides ample irrigation for healthy plant growth with- out over-watering. Highlights from WaterSense's online photo gallery below provide a small sam- ple of water-smart landscapes from throughout the country. Bellevue, Wash. The City of Bellevue's Waterwise Gar- den is a demonstration full of water- saving ideas for gardens of any size, age or style. The plants are well suited to site conditions, and grouped according to water needs for efficiency. Colorful, low- 18 Landscape and Irrigation September 2012 climatic conditions can produce beautiful landscapes with minimal water and main- tenance. Plano, Texas The owners of this landscape replaced Photo courtesy of the City of Bellevue maintenance plants are used. Compost added to the soil increases soil water re- tention, and mulches cover exposed soil to conserve water and prevent weeds. Drip irrigation and weather-based irriga- tion controllers minimize irrigation water waste. A dedicated outdoor water meter monitors water use. West Jordan, Utah This yard demonstrates the lowest water-using landscape within the Jordan Valley Conservation Garden Park, which was created to showcase water-wise land- scaping. Extreme drought tolerance is Photo by Tonia M. Biggs increased infiltration and reduced runoff. In addition to using less water, the native plant species in this landscape attract and feed native wildlife. Los Altos, Calif. This landscape in California uses drought-tolerant plants to reduce water- ing, and mulch to cover the soil — retain- Bermudagrass with low-water-using, na- tive plant species. Organic soil amend- ments were added to increase water infiltration and retention. Colorado River rock at the base of the roof downspouts slows and diffuses rainwater, allowing for Photo courtesy of the Jordan Valley Water Conservancy District achieved by using many Utah native and drought-adapted plant species in gravel mulch. After a three-year establishment period, this landscape has survived on only rain and snowfall. The landscape demon- strates that proper plant choices based on Photo by Julie Orr Design www.landscapeirrigation.com