Water-Saving Landscaping for Resiliency: Barriers & Opportunities

Water-Saving Landscaping for Resiliency: Barriers & Opportunities

From the Office of Governor Dayton, 2/27/17: If Minnesota takes action now, we can improve and safeguard our state s environment for generations to come. Minnesota has experienced three 1,000-year floods since 2004. The state s moose herd has declined by 50 percent. Minnesota s spruce, fir, aspen, and birch forests have retreated toward Canada, as changing temperatures make our state an inadequate climate.

Concentrated rains and larger rainfalls less dispersed through growing season Strange to talk about landscaping to save water?!!

Water Wise Landscaping: Overcoming Obstacles & Development Review Process

Continuing problems seen on development project landscape designs Plans not done by certified landscape architects, done by civil engineers or?? Inadequate tree root area Invasive species specified, lots of mowed turf; few specs on drought tolerant types or where to buy seed; last item on budget Few native grasses or pollinators specified; don t know how to find or care for them

Japanese Barberry is now on MN Dept. of Ag. Noxious Weed List, as escaping

Amur Maple on invasive list awhile & still showing up on landscape designs

Trees & Development Review memos suggest alternatives, not do design for them; no invasives Use the 10-20-30 rule. Recommends that no more than 10% of trees are of the same species, no more than 20% of trees are of the same genus, and no more than 30% of trees are of the same family. Makes plantings resilient to pests Create larger areas for trees in commercial plantings; tree boxes, deeper, better soils, fewer skinny raised coffins to make watering more effective

Increase shade tree diversity of species: fewer maples, especially Autumn Blaze (freemani crosses) or next invasive pest could take out our #1 tree of the moment!

Phyto-bigotry Or developers & property maintenance staff are not nuts about nuts. Swamp White Oak, at right

Or PODS: Kentucky Coffeetree

Protect and Nurture Shade Trees! Don t avoid native oaks, hickories, lindens if site right, just because of acorns and helicopters. Increase bark rings!! A LOT BIGGER! No stone. Saves water!! (Lawn mower and string trimmer disease reduced too) Decrease turf. Under trees AND any place that isn t useful for play or walking, less H2O! Consider how Codes for landscaping prevent the results you want

Imagine lawn here instead of perennials & native grasses bringing nature, outdoor play to high density projects

Water Wise Landscaping and City Codes/Code Enforcement

Smart Irrigation and Seed Mix Roles in Water Summer water use higher, odd/even watering ban not working everywhere What prevents re-tooling irrigation? Price of summer water services and lack of budget prioritization. Required in landscaping code? University of MN, turf proff Sam Bauer: golf course mgmt., drought tolerant mixes, new seed mixes for parks & golf course mgmt.

-Get Rid of Skinny Lawn Panels -Use low-mow varieties -Do we need that much traditional lawn in the front & side yards?

Lawn Mowing Ht. Issues & Short Native Grasses example: Little Bluestem-18 Natives selected for desirable attributes are out there: Blue Heaven bluestem is upright & bluer than species but still a clump. Suitable for mid/drier areas. Most importantly, not easily mistaken for a weed!

Northwinds Switchgrass Clump-forming grasses about 5 tall. Dropseed (below) is low, border plant, fine texture.

At Sustainability trainings or in communications, ask people to edge between plantings and turf grass lawns so native plantings are not easily mistaken for unmowed lawn. If needed, ADD signs!

Water Wise LAWN CARE for municipalities & maintenance companies

Low Input Landscapes & Turf: Timing is Everything Use products for life cycles of plants & pests. Use UMN- Extension & MPCA research Stop mowing lawn when dormant Mowing: Higher!! HIGHER STILL! Maintain at 3 or higher=less water, mow more often Keep mower blades sharp Leave clippings on the turf

Photo courtesy of MWMO Mississippi Watershed Mgmt. Organization Turfgrass Maintenance with Reduced Environmental Impacts March 21, 8-2:30

Low Input Landscapes: Maintenance Use water bags for trees to trickle soak Use hardwood shredded mulch to retain moisture in summer, adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes. Ask, sometimes it is free! Keeps mowers away from trees

Photo: Anoka Conservation District

Example from: University of Minnesota St. Paul Campus Watershed District Project

Pollinators in Yards, Parks, Rights of Way and Commercial Projects: Nuance bloom timing to Maximize Benefits for Food Crops, Plus Deep Roots

Asclepias: wetland and upland types of butterfly weed

Monarda: Bee balm Early summer bloomer

Monarchs and goldfinches love it! Liatris: Wandflower (mid to late bloomer)

Asters (late) UMN presentation photo

Final Thoughts about Maximizing Plantings, Trees, Open Space for Water Conservation and Stormwater?

Thanks! Kay Qualley, AICP Environmental Planner City of Fridley (763)572-3594 Kay.Qualley@fridleymn.gov