Water Wise Landscaping

Transcription

1 Water Wise Landscaping by Verde Natural Resource Conservation District Supervisor Chris Jensen for the 38 th Annual Native Plant Workshop

2 Organization 1. Background 2. Why xeriscape 3. Advantage of xeriscaping 4. Planning and design 5. Turf 6. Irrigation principles 7. Water conservation features

3 Background

4 Arizona Water Sources Uses Groundwater - 40% Agriculture - 69% Surface Water - 19% Industrial - 6% Effluent 2% Municipal - 25% Central Arizona Project 39%

5 Drought in the Southwest

6 Drought in Arizona

7 Colorado River Study: Average temperature increase degrees 2. Reduction in Colorado River Flows - 20% 3. Estimated annual water loss due to climate change - 500,000 acre feet 4. Estimated reduction in flows by %

8 Temperatures in the Southwest

9 Threats to Water Supply Drought Population Climate Increase Change

10 Why Xeriscape? Place photo here

11 Benefits of Water Wise Landscaping 1. Lower water bills through decreased water use 2. Conservation of wildlife habitat 3. Reduced landscaping labor and maintenance 4. Reduced yard waste 5. Contributes to water security due to decreased ground water pumping

12 Impact of unwise water use Falling water tables

13 Factors Affecting Water Use Soil improvement Plant placement Practical turf area Efficient irrigation Low water use plants

14 What is Xeriscaping?

15 Xeriscape Landscaping Landscaping for arid or semiarid climates that use water saving techniques such as drought tolerant plants, mulch and efficient irrigation.

16 Advantage of Xeriscape Plants 1. Low water (xeriscape) native plants Save water Save money Save time Supports environment Supports wildlife 2. Categories of xeriscape plants Drought tolerators Drought avoiders Succulents

17 Survival Strategies of Drought Tolerators Small waxy leaves retard water loss Leaves with small hairs to protect from sun and wind, can drop leaves in drought Mormon Tea

18 Survival Strategies of Succulents Stores water in fleshy leaves and stems, has waxy cuticle and extensive, shallow root system. Agave

19 Survival Strategies of Drought Avoiders Spend entire lifecycle in favorable conditions Evening Primrose

20 Xeriscape Native Trees Velvet Mesquite Arizona Cypress Western Soapberry Desert Willow

21 Xeriscape Native Shrubs Creosote Freemont Barberry Pointleaf Manzanita Fairy Duster

22 Xeriscape Native Grasses Blue Grama Grass Buffalo Grass Side Oats Grama Grass Three Awn Grass

23 Cacti and Succulents Fishhook Barrel Cactus Ocotillo Cholla Yucca

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27 Planning and Design

28 Planning and Design 1. Map your permanent features, houses and other buildings. 2. Consider environmental microclimates: Sun, Shade and wind characteristics 3. Water issues: Slope and drainage issues 4. Place like with like.

29 Turf??

30 Practical Turf Area Water use in grass: Metabolic process: 1% to 3% Transpirational: >90% Categories of grass: Cool season Greater water use ET rates: 3mm to 8mm per day Warm Season Less water use ET rates: 2mm to 5mm per day

31 Seasonal Grasses Cool Season Grasses Hard Fescue Chewing Fescue Creeping Red Fescue Tall Fescue Creeping Bentgrass Annual Bluegrass Warm Season Grasses St. Augustine Grass Seashore Paspalum American Buffalo Grass Bermuda

32 Turf in the Southwest Bermuda Mowing: 1 2 inches of height Watering: water deeper, less frequently Wet soil to 6in. Then wait for signs of stress. Dull bluish Color, Lack of bounce back Irrigation speed determined by absorption

33 Tall Fescue

34 Turf in the Southwest Tall Fescue Mowing: inches Watering: Water deeper, less frequently Wet soil to a depth of 4 6 inches, wait for signs of stress Bluish color, wilted folded leaves Irrigation rate determined by absorption Water between 2 8 AM

35 Irrigation Principles

36 Soil Quality 1. Quality soil can cut water use by 50% Soil testing : Texas A & M AgriLife Ext /httpsoiltesting@ag.tamu.edu 2. Importance of organic material: Promotes water retention Provides nutrients Large particles for water absorption and flow. 3. Soil preparation: Till soil to 6 inches Add organic matter (compost, yard waste)

37 Irrigation Schedules New Plants Establishment times Small plants One year Shrubs Two years Trees Three years Week Hot Months Cool Months 1&2 1 2 days 3-4 days 3&4 3 4 days 6 7 days 5&6 4 6 days 7 10 days 7&8 7 days days

38 Irrigating Established Plants Irrigation Schedules for trees and shrubs Water requirements: Low to Moderate High Water Mar. May days 7-12 day May Oct 7-21 days 7 10 days Oct. - Dec days 7 12 days Dec Mar days days Irrigation depths Flowers and Vegetables: 8 12 inches Trees and Shrubs: inches

39 Irrigation Principals 1. Soil Types and Water Retention 2. Irrigation Frequency and Depth 3. Irrigation Depth and Root Levels Soil Type Shallow Medium Deep Sandy 7.5 in. 12 in. 16 in. Loam 8.0 in. 16 in. 24 in. Clay 12 in. 20 in. 28 in.

40 Irrigation Systems 1. 50% of all fresh water in the U.S. is used outdoors. 2. In arid southwest as much as 60% of domestic water is used outdoors 3. Irrigation efficiency the amount of water stored in the root zone available to meet crop transpiration needs in relation to the amount of water applied. Flood Irrigation 60% Sprinkler Irrigation 75% Drip Irrigation 90%

41 Drip Irrigation

42 Drip Irrigation

43 Sprinkler Irrigation

44 Sprinkler Irrigation

45 Flood Irrigation

46 Flood Irrigation

47 Flood Irrigation

48 Water Conservation Features

49 Water Conservation Features 1. Rainwater Harvesting Rain Barrels Underground tanks 2. Ground Features Basins and Swales French Drains Curb Cuts

50 Rain Barrels

51 Rain Barrels

52 Underground Tanks

53 Basin and Swale

54 French Drain

55 French Drain

56 Curb Cut

57 Curb Cut

58 Sources of Native Plants/Information 1. Verde River Growers, 300 Rocking Chair Ranch Rd. Cottonwood AZ, 86326; Arizona Botanical Gardens, 1011 Wildhorse Ln. Clarkdale AZ, 86324; Master Gardener, ASU Cooperative Extension of Yavapai County, 2830 N. Commonwealth Drive, Camp Verde AZ; 86322; Arizona Native Plant Society,

59 Reference Material 1. Yavapai Master Gardeners Resources: https//extension.arizona.edu/yavapai-master gardeners 2. Low Water Use Drought tolerant Plant List for Prescott by ADWR: 3. The Arizona Native Plant Society: 4. Common Plants of the Verde Valley and Sedona: