Water Wise Landscaping by Verde Natural Resource Conservation District Supervisor Chris Jensen for the 38 th Annual Native Plant Workshop desertpets@gmail.com 928-634-4135
Organization 1. Background 2. Why xeriscape 3. Advantage of xeriscaping 4. Planning and design 5. Turf 6. Irrigation principles 7. Water conservation features
Background
Arizona Water Sources Uses Groundwater - 40% Agriculture - 69% Surface Water - 19% Industrial - 6% Effluent 2% Municipal - 25% Central Arizona Project 39%
Drought in the Southwest
Drought in Arizona
Colorado River Study: 2000-2014 1. Average temperature increase - 1.6 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 2100-50%
Temperatures in the Southwest
Threats to Water Supply Drought Population Climate Increase Change
Why Xeriscape? Place photo here
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
Impact of unwise water use Falling water tables
Factors Affecting Water Use Soil improvement Plant placement Practical turf area Efficient irrigation Low water use plants
What is Xeriscaping?
Xeriscape Landscaping Landscaping for arid or semiarid climates that use water saving techniques such as drought tolerant plants, mulch and efficient irrigation.
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
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
Survival Strategies of Succulents Stores water in fleshy leaves and stems, has waxy cuticle and extensive, shallow root system. Agave
Survival Strategies of Drought Avoiders Spend entire lifecycle in favorable conditions Evening Primrose
Xeriscape Native Trees Velvet Mesquite Arizona Cypress Western Soapberry Desert Willow
Xeriscape Native Shrubs Creosote Freemont Barberry Pointleaf Manzanita Fairy Duster
Xeriscape Native Grasses Blue Grama Grass Buffalo Grass Side Oats Grama Grass Three Awn Grass
Cacti and Succulents Fishhook Barrel Cactus Ocotillo Cholla Yucca
Planning and Design
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.
Turf??
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
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
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
Tall Fescue
Turf in the Southwest Tall Fescue Mowing: 2.5 3.5 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
Irrigation Principles
Soil Quality 1. Quality soil can cut water use by 50% Soil testing : Texas A & M AgriLife Ext. 979-845-5969/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)
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 10 14 days
Irrigating Established Plants Irrigation Schedules for trees and shrubs Water requirements: Low to Moderate High Water Mar. May 14 30 days 7-12 day May Oct 7-21 days 7 10 days Oct. - Dec 14 30 days 7 12 days Dec Mar. 30 60 days 14 30 days Irrigation depths Flowers and Vegetables: 8 12 inches Trees and Shrubs: 12 18 inches
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.
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%
Drip Irrigation
Drip Irrigation
Sprinkler Irrigation
Sprinkler Irrigation
Flood Irrigation
Flood Irrigation
Flood Irrigation
Water Conservation Features
Water Conservation Features 1. Rainwater Harvesting Rain Barrels Underground tanks 2. Ground Features Basins and Swales French Drains Curb Cuts
Rain Barrels
Rain Barrels
Underground Tanks
Basin and Swale
French Drain
French Drain
Curb Cut
Curb Cut
Sources of Native Plants/Information 1. Verde River Growers, 300 Rocking Chair Ranch Rd. Cottonwood AZ, 86326; 928-639-0122 2 Arizona Botanical Gardens, 1011 Wildhorse Ln. Clarkdale AZ, 86324; 928-634-2166 3 Master Gardener, ASU Cooperative Extension of Yavapai County, 2830 N. Commonwealth Drive, Camp Verde AZ; 86322; 928-554-8992 4 Arizona Native Plant Society, www.aznps/sources..php
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: http://www.prescottaz.gov/_d/plant_list.pdf 3. The Arizona Native Plant Society: www.aznps.com/aboutus.php 4. Common Plants of the Verde Valley and Sedona: http://www.naturesongs.com/vvplants/