Developing a Developing a Water Wise Water Wise LandscapeLandscape
In cooperation with
Facts About WaterFacts About Water We have the same amount of water on We have the same amount of water on
earth today as we did when the earth was earth today as we did when the earth was created. created.
Of all the earth’s water, 97% is salt water Of all the earth’s water, 97% is salt water located in the oceans and seas.located in the oceans and seas.
2% of the earth’s water is tied up in polar 2% of the earth’s water is tied up in polar ice caps.ice caps.
Only 1% of the earth’s water is fresh water Only 1% of the earth’s water is fresh water available for drinking, bathing, and cooking.available for drinking, bathing, and cooking.
Facts About WaterFacts About Water We only need about 15 gallons of We only need about 15 gallons of
water per day per person for drinking, water per day per person for drinking, bathing, and cooking, yet per capita bathing, and cooking, yet per capita water consumption in the U.S. water consumption in the U.S. exceeds 100 gallons/day.exceeds 100 gallons/day.
If every household in the U.S. saved If every household in the U.S. saved just just 1 gallon of water a day, we would save 1 gallon of water a day, we would save 120120 million gallons of water per day, million gallons of water per day, enoughenough water for a city the size of Jacksonville, water for a city the size of Jacksonville, FL.FL.
Global Demand for Global Demand for fresh water will fresh water will double every 20 double every 20
yearsyears
WorldwidWorldwidee
Challenge – Serving GA’s Growing Urban Challenge – Serving GA’s Growing Urban PopulationPopulation
GA’s PopulationGA’s Population2001 – 8.4 2001 – 8.4 millionmillion2005 – 9.1 2005 – 9.1 millionmillion2010 – 9.9 2010 – 9.9 millionmillion2015 – 10.8 2015 – 10.8 millionmillionOver half of Georgia’s Over half of Georgia’s population resides in 12 population resides in 12 counties.counties.
Two-thirds of Georgia’s Two-thirds of Georgia’s population resides in 26 population resides in 26 of its 159 counties.of its 159 counties.
21 counties have 21 counties have populations over populations over 100,000.100,000.
Average residential water Average residential water use increases 30% - 50% use increases 30% - 50%
during the summer during the summer months when citizens months when citizens turn on their outdoor turn on their outdoor
irrigation systemsirrigation systems
One portable lawn sprinkler One portable lawn sprinkler operating for 1 hour uses 360 operating for 1 hour uses 360 gallons of watergallons of water
This is equivalent to:This is equivalent to:
72 flushes of the toilet
9 full loads of laundry
14 five-minute showers
26 runs of the dishwasher
Water Conservation Water Conservation MeasuresMeasures
Summer Surcharge: Rate increases Summer Surcharge: Rate increases 25% to 100% when use exceeds 25% to 100% when use exceeds average winter consumption.average winter consumption.
Restrictions: Odd/Even outdoor Restrictions: Odd/Even outdoor wateriwateri
Bans on Outdoor Water UseBans on Outdoor Water Use EDUCATIONEDUCATION
Permanent Georgia State-WidePermanent Georgia State-WideWatering RestrictionsWatering Restrictions
Odd-numbered addresses may water on Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but not Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but not between 10 am and 4 pmbetween 10 am and 4 pm
Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, but not between 10 am and 4 Saturdays, but not between 10 am and 4 pmpm
No one may water on Fridays.No one may water on Fridays.
Goal of Water Wise Goal of Water Wise LandscapesLandscapes
To reduce and minimize To reduce and minimize the size of the area the size of the area irrigated and the irrigated and the
frequency of irrigationfrequency of irrigation
Coined in Colorado Coined in Colorado in 1981in 1981
From the Greek Word From the Greek Word “Xeros”, which“Xeros”, which
means drymeans dry
(Pronounced (Pronounced Zera-scape)Zera-scape)
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
Divide the Landscape into Three Divide the Landscape into Three Water-use ZonesWater-use Zones
High Water-use Zones (Oasis Zones)High Water-use Zones (Oasis Zones) Moderate Water-use Zones (Transition Zones)Moderate Water-use Zones (Transition Zones) Low Water-use Zones (Xeric Zones)Low Water-use Zones (Xeric Zones)
High Water-use ZoneHigh Water-use Zone(Oasis Zone)(Oasis Zone)
Small “high-impact” or high Small “high-impact” or high visibility area of the landscape visibility area of the landscape where plants are provided their where plants are provided their optimum water requirement at optimum water requirement at
all timeall timeEntrance to the home or businessEntrance to the home or business
Moderate Water-use Zone Moderate Water-use Zone
(Transition Zone)(Transition Zone)
Plants are watered during Plants are watered during establishment. Once establishment. Once
established, they are watered established, they are watered only when they show signs of only when they show signs of
water stress.water stress.Azaleas, dogwoods, redbuds, Azaleas, dogwoods, redbuds, herbaceous perennialsherbaceous perennials
Low Water-use Zone Low Water-use Zone (Xeric Zone)(Xeric Zone)
Once established, plants are Once established, plants are provided no supplemental provided no supplemental
irrigation, except during periods irrigation, except during periods of extreme droughtof extreme droughtJuniperJuniper
Crape MyrtleCrape MyrtleYaupon HollyYaupon Holly
OaksOaksNative AreasNative Areas
10% of the landscape is irrigated 10% of the landscape is irrigated regularlyregularly
30% of the landscape is irrigated on 30% of the landscape is irrigated on demanddemand60% of the landscape is not 60% of the landscape is not
irrigatedirrigated
Shade helps reduce water loss in Shade helps reduce water loss in the landscapethe landscape
HouseD
rive
way
Street
FatsiaAzaleasLittle Gem
Magnolia
Native Trees
Spirea
Native Oak
Nandina
Turfgrass
N
High Water-use Zone
Moderate Low
Low
Annuals
Ornamental Grasses
Daffodils/Siberian Iris/Daylilies
Pinestraw
Pinestraw
Year 1
High Water-use Zone
Low
Low
Low
Low
Moderate
Moderate
Hig
h
Year 1
Hybrid Bermuda
Liriope
Mulch
Year 2
Moderate
Water-use Zone
Low
Low
Moderate
Low
Moderate
Moderate
Hig
h
Low
Low
Low
Low
Year 2
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
Don’t Guess…Soil Test!Don’t Guess…Soil Test!
Use only decomposed organic material Use only decomposed organic material (right) as a soil amendment(right) as a soil amendment
More plants are killed in More plants are killed in Georgia from over-Georgia from over-watering than from watering than from
droughtdrought
Plant on raised beds Plant on raised beds Deep cultivation Deep cultivation Install sub-surface drainageInstall sub-surface drainage Select appropriate plants Select appropriate plants
Possible Solutions Possible Solutions to Poorly-drained Soilsto Poorly-drained Soils
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
Select Plants Adapted to theSelect Plants Adapted to theSite and the Stresses Site and the Stresses
of the Environmentof the Environment
Drought tolerance is important, Drought tolerance is important, but also consider potential insect but also consider potential insect and disease problems, sunlight and disease problems, sunlight
and soil requirements.and soil requirements.
Red-tip PhotiniaRed-tip Photinia
HostaHosta
Japanese Japanese PachysandraPachysandra
AzaleAzaleaa
Lenten Rose
MondograssMondograss
LiriopeLiriope
ShadeShade
Zebra GrassZebra Grass
Sun ColeusSun Coleus
PurplePurple PassionPassion
Mexican HeatherMexican Heather
SunSun
Little Gem MagnoliaLittle Gem Magnolia((Magnolia grandiflora Magnolia grandiflora ‘Little Gem’‘Little Gem’
ChastetreeChastetree((Vitex agnus-castusVitex agnus-castus))
Chinese Chinese PistachePistache
HolliesHollies
Japanese Japanese ZelkovaZelkova
Lacebark ElmLacebark Elm
Trident MapleTrident Maple
Crape MyrtleCrape Myrtle
TreesTrees
SpireaSpirea
Dwarf Yaupon HollyDwarf Yaupon Holly
AucubaAucuba
BarberryBarberry
Chinese HollyChinese Holly
ForsythiaForsythia
(Forsythia intermedia)(Forsythia intermedia)
MaidengrassMaidengrass
((Miscanthus Miscanthus sinensissinensis))
Shrubs / Ornamental GrassesShrubs / Ornamental Grasses
Asiatic JasmineAsiatic Jasmine
DaylilyDaylily
St. John’s WortSt. John’s Wort
Carolina Carolina JessamineJessamine
Wintercreeper Wintercreeper
EuonymusEuonymus
Blue Rug JuniperBlue Rug Juniper
((Juniperus horizontalisJuniperus horizontalis ‘Blue ‘Blue Rug’)Rug’)
LiriopeLiriope
((Liriope Liriope muscarimuscari))
Ground Ground Covers/VinesCovers/Vines
WormwoodWormwood
Artemisia Artemisia ‘Powis ‘Powis Castle’Castle’
GauraGaura
Black-eyed Black-eyed SusanSusan
Russian SageRussian Sage
Red Hot PokerRed Hot Poker
RosemaryRosemary
AgaveAgave
Herbaceous Herbaceous PerennialsPerennials
SedumSedum ‘Autumn Joy’ ‘Autumn Joy’
Baby’s BreathBaby’s Breath
VerbenaVerbena
Annual PeriwinkleAnnual PeriwinkleGlobe AmaranthGlobe Amaranth((Gomphrena globosaGomphrena globosa))
Creeping ZinniaCreeping Zinnia(Zinnia linearis)(Zinnia linearis)
AnnualsAnnuals
Dusty MillerDusty Miller
GazaniaGazania
PortulacaPortulaca
Drought Tolerance of Drought Tolerance of TurfgrassesTurfgrasses
Hybrid BermudaHybrid Bermuda
ZoysiaZoysia
CentipedeCentipede
FescueFescue
MostMost
LeastLeast
Plants Don’t Save WaterPlants Don’t Save Water
People Save People Save Water !Water !
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
Use Turfgrass for a Use Turfgrass for a PurposePurpose
Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat)Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat) Recreational SurfaceRecreational Surface Erosion ControlErosion Control
Minimize the amount of Minimize the amount of irrigated turfgrassirrigated turfgrass
Avoid Using Irrigated Turfgrass Avoid Using Irrigated Turfgrass Just to Fill SpaceJust to Fill Space
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
For most efficient use of water, For most efficient use of water, irrigate at night to avoid irrigate at night to avoid
evaporative loss of water.evaporative loss of water.
Avoid light, frequent irrigation Avoid light, frequent irrigation because it encourages shallow because it encourages shallow
rooting and increases water rooting and increases water demand of the plant.demand of the plant.
Target irrigation to plants Target irrigation to plants that show signs of stressthat show signs of stress
• Gray/green ColorGray/green Color• WiltingWilting• Dying BranchesDying Branches
Use a hand-held hose with water Use a hand-held hose with water nozzle or a sprinkler can to target nozzle or a sprinkler can to target
irrigation to plants that need water.irrigation to plants that need water.
Drip IrrigationDrip IrrigationUses 30% to 50% less water than sprinkler Uses 30% to 50% less water than sprinkler irrigationirrigationAvoids spraying foliage so diseases are less likely Avoids spraying foliage so diseases are less likely to occurto occur
No spray driftNo spray drift
Only need to Only need to water 25% of water 25% of the root areathe root area
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
Benefits of MulchBenefits of Mulch Prevents evaporative water loss Prevents evaporative water loss
from the soilfrom the soil Prevents soil-borne diseasesPrevents soil-borne diseases Insulates the roots of plants from Insulates the roots of plants from
extreme heat and cold extreme heat and cold Reduces weed competitionReduces weed competition
Best MulchBest MulchOrganicOrganic
Fine-texturedFine-textured
Non-mattingNon-matting
How Much Mulch To Apply?How Much Mulch To Apply?
3 to 5 inches deep is 3 to 5 inches deep is sufficientsufficient
1 bale of pine straw covers 1 bale of pine straw covers approximately 50 sq. ft.approximately 50 sq. ft.
Newspaper Newspaper placed under placed under mulch, 2- to 3-mulch, 2- to 3-sheets thick, sheets thick, helps provide an helps provide an added barrier to added barrier to moisture loss.moisture loss.
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
Avoid Frequent Spurts of Avoid Frequent Spurts of Vegetative Growth Brought on by:Vegetative Growth Brought on by:
FertilizationFertilization PruningPruning IrrigationIrrigation
FertilizationFertilization Target fertilization to plants that need it. Target fertilization to plants that need it.
Established trees and shrubs may not Established trees and shrubs may not need to be fertilized annually.need to be fertilized annually.
Use slow-release forms of nitrogen (Urea Use slow-release forms of nitrogen (Urea formaldehyde, IBDU, Sulfur-coated urea)formaldehyde, IBDU, Sulfur-coated urea)
Use low rates of fertilizer.Use low rates of fertilizer. Limit fertilization during dry periods.Limit fertilization during dry periods.
Prune by selective thinning Prune by selective thinning instead of shearinginstead of shearing
GrasscyclingGrasscyclingLet the Clips Fall Where they MayLet the Clips Fall Where they May
ClippingsClippingsAddAdd
NitrogenNitrogenBack Back to theto theSoilSoil
ClippingsClippingsHelp HoldHelp HoldMoisture Moisture in the soilin the soil
Clippings Clippings DO NOT DO NOT Cause Cause ThatchThatch
Seven Steps of XeriscapeSeven Steps of Xeriscape
Planning and DesignPlanning and Design Soil AnalysisSoil Analysis Appropriate Plant SelectionAppropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf AreasPractical Turf Areas Efficient IrrigationEfficient Irrigation Use of MulchesUse of Mulches Appropriate MaintenanceAppropriate Maintenance
For Additional Information onFor Additional Information onWater-wise LandscapesWater-wise Landscapes
Contact your local county Extension officeContact your local county Extension office
Visit a local garden centerVisit a local garden center
Go to Go to www.conservewatergeorgia.netwww.conservewatergeorgia.net Visit the UGA Extension Service web site: Visit the UGA Extension Service web site:
www.caes.uga.eduwww.caes.uga.edu. Click on Publications:. Click on Publications:
• Coping with Watering Restrictions in the Coping with Watering Restrictions in the LandscapeLandscape
• Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a Water Wise Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a Water Wise LandscapeLandscape
• Landscape Plants for GeorgiaLandscape Plants for Georgia• Lawns in GeorgiaLawns in Georgia
Try these 5 to help them Try these 5 to help them thrive!thrive!
1. Water only once a week, in the absence of rain. 1. Water only once a week, in the absence of rain.
2. Soak, don't sprinkle.2. Soak, don't sprinkle.
3. Don't water in the heat of the day. 3. Don't water in the heat of the day.
4. Turn off sprinkler systems when it rains.4. Turn off sprinkler systems when it rains.
5. Mulch!5. Mulch!
Make Every Drop Make Every Drop CountCount ! !
Author:Author:Gary L. Wade, Ph.D. Gary L. Wade, Ph.D.
Extension HorticulturistExtension HorticulturistUniversity of Georgia, Department of HorticultureUniversity of Georgia, Department of Horticulture
The University of GeorgiaThe University of GeorgiaCollege of Agricultural and Environmental SciencesCollege of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
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