GreenPropertyManagement.com

A Comprehensive Drought Tolerant Landscape Plan

Posted on 11. May, 2010 by Kimberly Madrigal in Greener Properties

Everyone appreciates a rental with curb appeal, but is that appeal a necessary expense for renters or property owners? Water management districts across the United States are enacting mandates to encourage water conservation.

Landscaping often accounts for up to 30% of a property’s water consumption, but with proper maintenance and planning a green property manager may be able to bring that percentage closer to zero. This could add up to big savings for renters or property owners and become an attraction to good green renters.

Before considering what every property manager should do, let’s say a word about what you should not do: don’t pave over green space in an effort to conserve water. Paving over previously green spaces disrupts the natural cycle of water and sends water into the sewer system instead of allowing it to percolate or filter through to the natural underground aquifer from which the city draws a portion of its water. Put simply, sending water off of a property into the streets where it’s funneled into the city’s sewage system is a recipe for higher water bills.

Observe Your Property
The first step of any landscape plan is to take a look at the property and take note of changes in elevation: does the lot have a slope to it? If so, remember that water travels downhill and the plants at lower elevation will receive more water than the plants higher up. Diagram the orientation of the building to the sun. Could trees be planted along the South and West sides to provide shade in the summer, but allow the sun to warm the building in the winter?

Observe What Grows Naturally Nearby
You might consider taking a hike in the nearby hills or state parks to see what flowers, shrubs and trees grow well with no irrigation. Visit public gardens with drought tolerant or indigenous plant installations. Or speak to a realtor about the nearest conservation easement – usually a great example of plants native to the area. Take a camera to help with recording, researching and communicating plant choices ideas to others who may become involved in the process.

Make a Plan & Start Small
Contact a local nursery or qualified landscape architect to help map things out. Start with small, manageable plants. They will be less expensive and can be easily moved, if necessary.

Keep Water Where It’s Needed
Be aware that trees should not be planted on mounds but rather in “wells” that allow the water to seep down to the roots instead of running off. Drought tolerant plants that are watered regularly by sprinkler systems do not develop the deep root systems they need to actually be drought tolerant. Therefore, once the plants have been established, water them deeply every two weeks at most.

When heavy rains arrive, plan to trap the water onsite by making sure tree “wells” are sufficiently large and interconnected through pathways. Provide small water barriers in a zigzag pattern and this will force any uncollected stormwater to meander. Remember by slowing it down, the water has a chance to sink into the soil and water your property’s landscaping.

Keep Moisture from Evaporating
Be sure to mulch and use groundcover where appropriate. This will help ensure moisture retention when it’s dry and helps water infiltrate better. Never leave a patch of bare dirt because water tends to pool, not sink, on bare earth.

Consider contacting a landscape architect to ask for a free consultation. Local nurseries generally have good referrals, by the way, as they are the ones who get the complaints when a poor plan promotes landscaping struggles.

A drought tolerant garden that requires no water after the first year or two may pay for itself in the long run. It may also help the property meet current and future water reduction mandates.

Resources:
1. Rainwater Harvesting for Drylands and Beyond, Vol.1 by Brad Lancaster from which much of this material was adapted. Brad Lancaster lives and works in Tuscon, AZ which receives about as much water as Los Angeles does.
2. The Dry Gardening Handbook: Plants and Practices for a Changing Environment by Olivier Filippi goes into depth on types of plants one should choose.

Related Posts
A Drop Saved Is A Drop Earned: Helping Residents Conserve Water Helps You
Stormwater Management: From Roof to Root
6 Green Ideas for Your Residents
Water and Energy: An Intimate Connection
5 Tips to Landscaping Green

Tags: environment, Water Conservation, Water Efficiency