Traditional landscapes require supplemental water to thrive in most locations.
Depending on climate, landscape irrigation may compromise a substantial portion of a facility's overall water use. Therefore, integrating water-efficient landscaping as part of an overall water efficiency program is important.
Water-efficient landscapes using native and other climate-appropriate plant materials can reduce irrigation water use to better withstand drought, reduce drought loss or damage, and require less time and money to maintain. Water-efficient landscaping also includes maintenance techniques that create a landscape that requires less water.
Depending on climate, landscape irrigation may compromise a substantial portion of a facility's overall water use. Therefore, integrating water-efficient landscaping as part of an overall water efficiency program is important.
Water-efficient landscapes using native and other climate-appropriate plant materials can reduce irrigation water use to better withstand drought, reduce drought loss or damage, and require less time and money to maintain. Water-efficient landscaping also includes maintenance techniques that create a landscape that requires less water.
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Periodically review all landscape service and maintenance agreements
to incorporate a high priority for water, chemical, and energy
efficiency
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Consider hiring landscape contractors who focus on water-efficient or climate-appropriate landscaping.
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Require landscape contractors to report and fix problems. Many
landscape contractors not only install and maintain plants in your
landscape, but also install and maintain the irrigation system. These
contractors can identify and report leaks and other inefficiencies in
the landscape
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Add mulch to plant beds. Mulch decreases water lost from soil through evaporation and helps reduce weed growth
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Maintain a sufficient quantity of topsoil rich in organic matter, 4
to 6 inches, to capture storm water as it falls and to release moisture
back to plants over time. The result reduces irrigation requirements
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Aerate soil seasonally in turf areas and landscape beds to introduce
oxygen into the soil's deep layers and break up compacted soil. This
allows water to penetrate deeply into the soil, producing a healthier
root system
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Recirculate water in decorative fountains, ponds, and waterfalls.
Shut off these features when possible to reduce evaporation losses.
Check water recirculation systems annually for leaks and other damage.
Consider using non-potable water in these systems
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Alternate turf mowing height between low and high levels. This
encourages roots to grow deeply and allows plants to go longer between
watering sessions
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Keep irrigated landscape weed free so valuable water is consumed only by decorative landscape.
The following retrofit options help federal agencies maintain water-efficiency landscapes across facilities.
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Select drought-tolerant or climate appropriate turf, trees, shrubs, and ground cover when replanting landscaped areas.
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Minimize the area of turf in your landscape. Most turf requires
substantially more water than planted beds, especially if the plants are
climate-appropriate and covered with mulch.
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Eliminate "strip grass" to the greatest extent possible. Small strips
of grass, common in parking islands and between sidewalks and the
roadway, are hard to maintain and difficult to water efficiently. Use
bushes, mulch, or permeable hardscape in these areas instead.
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Implement low-impact development techniques, such as making parking
lot island depressions instead of raised curb areas to capture and
retain storm water.
The following replacement options help federal agencies maintain water efficiency across facilities.
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Replace or install the entire landscape with climate-appropriate,
water-efficient plant material. You may be able to design a landscape
that doesn't require supplemental water.
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Design the landscape so plants with similar water needs are grouped
together (called hydrozoning). This allows for more efficient
irrigation.
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Ensure the landscape is properly designed from the start. Hire a
licensed landscape architect or a qualified site planner/designer.
Designing with water efficiency in mind limits the clearing of native
vegetation. This increases recharge and limits surface runoff, thereby
limiting the size of storm water management facilities.
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Test soil nutrients and pH levels prior to installing a landscape.
Depending on type, soil may need to be amended to ensure water is
delivered to the plant in an efficient manner (i.e., good absorption and
water holding capacity).
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Use turf only where it is needed, such as athletic and training
fields, avoiding areas where it will not be utilized or in long narrow
areas that cannot be irrigated effectively.
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Ensure trees are planted at the appropriate depth.
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When designing new landscape, avoid the use of ornamental water features to minimize water use.
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Replace or install the entire landscape with climate-appropriate,
water-efficient plant material. You may be able to design a landscape
that doesn't require supplemental water.
-
Select drought-tolerant or climate appropriate turf, trees, shrubs, and ground cover when replanting landscaped areas.
-
Require landscape contractors to report and fix problems. Many
landscape contractors not only install and maintain plants in your
landscape, but also install and maintain the irrigation system. These
contractors can identify and report leaks and other inefficiencies in
the landscape
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