Landscaping

An established lawn on good soil requires about 32" of irrigation water (43 irrigations) per year.

Established woody landscapes require about 20" of irrigation water (24 irrigations) per year.

Woody landscape plants require less irrigation than lawns, potentially saving almost 8,000 gallons of water per 1,000 sq. ft. per year.

Functional Lawn Areas

• Good for short berms and shallow swales
• Healthy lawns are excellent filters, helping to decrease storm water pollutants
• Good for play areas and pet areas
• Some lawns can be resistant to foot traffic, and reduce glare, noise and dust

Raphiolepis indica 'dwarf Indian hawthorne'

Functional Landscaped Beds

Use annuals, perennials, ground covers, shrubs or
trees in a mulched area, to...

• screen a view
• cover oddly-shaped areas which are difficult to mow
• plant a shady area where lawn grass won't grow
• group plants for easier maintenance
• provide color, shade or a windbreak

How to Make Lawns More Drought Tolerant

• Avoid compacted soil in the top 8-12 inches
• Mow most lawns at highest mower setting
• Mowing high encourages deeper roots
• Water deeply (3/4") each time
• Water only when grass starts to wilt
  

Taller Grass Has
Deeper Roots

Landscape Maintenance

Three (3) inches of mulch in plant beds:

• moderates soil temperature
• helps maintain soil moisture
• reduces erosion
• reduces evaporation