2012 Nevada Green Industry Conference and Trade Show

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Marcus Reynolds
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1 RULES FOR THE EASY TO MAINTAIN LANDSCAPE 2012 Nevada Green Industry Conference and Trade Show

2 Introduction: Intellectual Gardeners Love working in Garden Gardeners Exercise in the landscape Gardeners Really don t care Gardeners Hire someone else to do it Gardeners Easy Living Gardeners

size Colorful perennials and annuals in key locations Right size

3 What makes an easy living Landscape Attractive over time? Trees and shrubs in the right place and that t grow to the right size Colorful perennials and annuals in key locations Right size lawns, beds, patios, water features, etc. Easy to maintain, water, prune, mow, etc.

4 Rule 1 Site layout and grading Allow for positive drainage from all buildings, walks, fences, retaining i walls and other structures drainage should be a minimum of 10 feet from buildings and 2 to 5 feet from walks, fences, retaining walls and other structures

5 Examples of drainage

6 Rule 2: Provide a "No Grow" space Provide a 24-inch to 36-inch "No Grow" space around all buildings and structures Should consist of 4-inch deep layer of pea gravel, concrete or other inert material

7 Example of no grow space

8 Rule 3: Planting Beds Planting bed width from a building or structure should be a "minimum" i " of 1/2 the height of the building or structure up to 25 feet This rule of thumb provides an artistic perspective to the planting bed

9 Example of planting beds

10 Rules 1,2,3 Typical layout Design Perspective - 100% Landscape

11 Rules 1,2,3 No grow Design Perspective - 75% Landscape

12 Rules 1,2,3, Expanded Design Perspective - 50% Landscape

13 Rule 4: Classrooms,,p patios, decks, and gazebos If it is to be used as a classroom, dinning area, etc., it should be the same size as a comparable architectural area Rule of thumb is to identify how large an architectural al area would be and add a 5 foot walkway around the outdoor site.

14 Rule 4: Classrooms,,p patios, decks, and gazebos Typical patio with very limited it space that does not function as a dinning or sitting area. Enlarged patio with useable space and a 5 buffer around that allows for dinning and sitting

15 Rule 5: Surfaced Walks Should be a minimum of 3 feet wide. Five-foot wide walks are preferred to allow room for people to pass and comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act Allow 30 inches each for all people walking abreast (i.e. 3 people abreast=90 inches or 7.5 foot wide walk)

16 Rule 6: Steps Steps should not be used unless absolutely necessary If required, they should have a minimum "tread" of 12 inches and a maximum "rise" of 6 inches, with no less than "three" steps

17 Rule 6: Steps Outdoor steps that t are too steep Outdoor steps that are safe One outdoor step is a tripper! Re-grade a one step to a slope

18 Rule 7: Retaining walls Differences in grades should be sloped if 3 to 1 grades (three foot run to one foot rise) or less can be achieved If retaining walls are required, any wall over 30 inches should be engineered Avoid retaining walls Re-grade to avoid retaining walls

19 Rule 8: Shapes in the landscape shapes of turf, patios, decks, walks etc. should follow straight lines or radiuses This provides a sense of unity, conformity and order in the landscape These shapes also conform to irrigation products, making it easier to irrigate the landscape efficiently.

20 Example of shapes

21 Rule 9: Irrigation efficiency Evenness or uniformity of water applied Plants that need different water requirements should be watered differently Higher the quality the water, the healthier the plant

22 Rule 9: Irrigation efficiency

23 How Much Should I Water My Lawn? Are You Watering Your Lawn Too Much?

24 Rule 10: Selecting Irrigation Products Select small orifice spray or gear drive sprinklers for irrigating with culinary water Select large orifice sprays and impact sprinkler systems stems for irrigating igating with secondary water systems

25 Check sprinklers to insure they are working properly Check for clogged filters.

Hose sprinklers should be tested see how well and long it takes to water

26 Rule 11: Irrigating turf For underground irrigation systems the distances should be 8', 10, 12', 15', 17', 18', 24', 30', and 40'. Hose sprinklers should be tested see how well and long it takes to water You need to know what your landscape will look like before you design a sprinkler system

27 12 fixed 30 psi

28 12 fixed 45 psi Shortened radius

29 15 fixed 30 psi & 45 psi 45 psi 30 psi

30 12 old brass 30 psi

31 Rule 12: Drip Irrigation Drip irrigation systems should have a filter to remove particulate and organic materials from the water and a pressure regulator and flush valve. Tubing should be laid out in a loop to equalize pressure and allow a break or cut to flush from both directions

32 SECTION 3 - PONDS, POOLS, FOUNTAINS, WATERFALLS Never design or build these to be permanent, instead, they should to be easy change, modify, enlarge or reduce and even removed if necessary

Rule 13: Location of Water features Locate

33 Rule 13: Location of Water features Locate ponds, pools, fountains and waterfalls around or near decks, patios, gazebos or other outdoor living areas These significant features provide sight and sound sounds that can provide a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere

34 Water feature locations

35 SECTION 4 - PLACING TREES IN THE LANDSCAPE These rules provide appropriate spacing from architectural elements in the landscape These rules help prevent roots from damaging structures or foliage from significant pruning over time

36 Rule 14: Trees No tree should be planted closer than 8 to 10 feet from walks, fences, decks, patios, and retaining walls No tree should be planted closer than half it's "mature spread" plus 3' from a house, shed or other building

37 Example of tree locations

ring be placed around the trunks Only mulch be placed inside the ring.

38 Rule 15: Trees and shrubs Trees and shrubs should be in planting beds and not in lawn areas If located in a turf area, it is recommended a minimum 8 foot diameter ring be placed around the trunks Only mulch be placed inside the ring. If this is not acceptable, no plants should be allowed to grow closer than 2 feet from the trunks

Rule 16: Lawn Borders All planting beds next to lawns

should be level with the surface of the turf Consist of

wood or recycled plastic wood, sculptured concrete,

39 Rule 16: Lawn Borders All planting beds next to lawns should have a border separation The border separation should be level with the surface of the turf Consist of 1/4" bender boards 2"x 4" to 2" x 6" redwood, treated wood or recycled plastic wood, sculptured concrete, brick, modular block or other masonry surface appropriate for the setting

40 Rule 17: Shrub selection No shrub at maturity should be over 30" tall when planted within 10' of a building, driveway, walk, or where you want visibility for cars, thieves, rapists, etc.

41 Rule 18: Shrub locations Snow removal areas should have no upright shrubs within four feet of a walk, driveway, or where snow slides off a roof No plant in front of a window should grow taller than the base of the window at maturity

42 Rule 19: Food production All fruit trees for food production should be planted in an area of the landscape designated as an "Orchard All vegetables should be grown in a designated "Garden Area"

43 Rule 20: Tree selection Trees are the most important plant in a landscape Take as much time in selecting a tree as you do a spouse because you often spend more time living with the tree than the person you marry

44 Rule 21: Shrub selection I like to compare shrubs to teenagers Select shrubs that meet your expectations, remember however, that you can move or remove these plants with some effort, but not as much effort as it takes to remove a tree.

They add color, interest, and variety They come in all

45 Rule 22: Annuals, perennials, ground covers They provide detail and accent to the landscape They are like friends. They add color, interest, and variety They come in all shapes, sizes colors and personalities They are easy to remove

46 Rule 23: Lawn area Lawns are the basic element of landscape Lawns are like infants. They need to be fed regularly, groomed and pampered Lawns are the same if you want them to look good. You need to water, mow, edge, weed, trim and fertilize to keep them looking good

47 Rule 24: Color in the Landscape Color is used to direct people's attention in the landscape Place flowing plants near entrances, around patios, along walks, by driveways to draw attention Dark green or gray-green green plants draw attention away from neglected areas

48 MAINTAINING THE LANDSCAPE Selecting plants that grow to the proper p size when mature and are disease resistant will reduce the need for pruning and pesticide use The successful easy to maintain needs few tools and a minimal amount of pesticides and chemical fertilizers

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT The number of landscape tools and equipment needed to maintain your landscape should be kept to a minimum

49 LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT The number of landscape tools and equipment needed to maintain your landscape should be kept to a minimum Tools and equipment need maintenance and care just like anything else. The fewer you have the less time will be spent maintaining and caring for them.

50 TURF MANAGEMENT Turf management is an important part of most landscapes. Turf management however, begins, or should begin, long before the turf is maintained and continue throughout its life

51 Rule 30: Soil conditions The soil is the foundation on which plants grow Soil is the "Dinner Plate" from which the plants eat Insure there is 6" to 12" of good soil

contain high salt contents, small weed seed and algae Water from wells can contain

52 Rule 31: Water quality and quantity The cleaner the water the better Sources: Water from a treatment plant or secondary irrigation water Secondary water supplies can contain high salt contents, small weed seed and algae Water from wells can contain suspended solids leaving hard water spots on plants and build up a residue structures

53 SECTION 11 TURF MANAGEMENT The type of turf you have in your landscape will vary by your location, desired appearance and use

54 Rule 32: Turf selection Warm season grasses grow best when the temperatures are over 85 degrees F. Cool season grasses grow best when the temperatures are above 60 degrees F and 90 degrees F

the manufacturers recommended rate Use a high N fertilizer,

55 Rule 33: Fertilizing turf Fertilize turf for appearance, not exercise or maximum crop production Fertilize at no more than ½ the manufacturers recommended rate Use a high N fertilizer, magnesium and iron help grass produce a darker green Avoid weed and feed products

56 SECTION 12 IRRIGATION SCHEDULE If you live in an area were supplemental irrigation is required check with your local Extension office for the proper irrigation schedule in your area Soil moisture sensors added to controllers helps avoid overwatering

57 IRRIGATION EFFICIENCIES

Rule 34: Ponds and pools Ponds or pools should be kept shallow, especially if small children are around Deep pools are needed d for fish Preformed pools look natural if flat

58 Rule 34: Ponds and pools Ponds or pools should be kept shallow, especially if small children are around Deep pools are needed d for fish Preformed pools look natural if flat rocks are place around the edge and slightly overhanging the water Larger pools should be made with a continuous plastic liner. Plastic liners can be made to almost any shape, and size

licensed professionals Various pumps and nozzles can be installed to provide different and varied

59 Rule 35: Fountains and Waterfalls Manufactured fountains can be the easiest and quickest water feature to install in the landscape Large complex features can be built or caste-in-place by licensed professionals Various pumps and nozzles can be installed to provide different and varied water patterns Small self-contained units can be quickly installed, filled with water, plugged in and are ready to go

60 Landscape example 1

61 Landscape example 2

62 Questions

63 The search continues

64 The mission of the Bureau of Reclamation is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public THANK YOU!

Unit 4 Landscape Installation

Unit 4 Landscape Installation Chapter 8 (lawns) slp 4.1 Soil Amendments I. Soil conditioners change the physical AND chemical properties of a soil A. Physical 1. Aggregate same size particles into clumps