OUTDOOR LIVING
Outdoor spaces can be rooms of thier own. Creating outdoor spaces that provide areas for quiet repose, entertaining, gardening and wildlife habitat nurture the soul and are deeply satisfying.
Lawns
Lawns require more water than plants, so a water-wise landscape will include more plants than grassy areas--plants that are suited to the conditions of the site, of course (See Ornamental Plants below).
Think about why you want a lawn and what it will be used for and designate only enough square footage to lawn as will accomodate this need.
Once you know how little lawn you can live with, research native grass species. Native grasses will need litttle or not fertilization and watering. (See resources section in right margin.)
Add organic matter to your lawn to feed the soil. Healthy soil grows healthy grass which is better able to out-compete weeds and withstand stressful conditions.
Mow grass high (3-4 inches). Tall grass blades shade the soil and help it retain moisture. This is especially important where the lawn receives a lot of sun.
Aerate your lawn yearly. Compacted soil is a leading cause of water runoff that results in overwatering.
Water first thing in the morning. Water during the heat of the day and you'll lose lots of water to evaporation. Water at night and you put your lawn at risk of developing fungus or other problems.
Give your lawn one inch of water per week. If this isn't enough, increase that to two inches per week. If your lawn requires more water than two inches during the summer, there is a problem, and all the recommendations above should be employed to try and correct the problem.
Ornamental Plants
Plants that are native or adapted to your region are the best choices. After becoming established, they will require very little water other than what is provided through regional precipitation.
Regional precipitation is only one consideration, though. Soil type can also impact what plants will grow best around your home. Have your soil analyzed and share the results with your local nursery. Based on the analysis, they will be able to recommend plants for your existing soil or suggest amendments that will improve your soil making it more hospitable to a wider variety of plants.
Edible Landscapes
Fruit trees, berries, vegetables, herbs -- plant what you like to eat and you'll be rewarded with fresh produce throughout the season. A garden that includes edibles is a great way to save money on food and increase the nutrition from your food. Nutrients in foods are at their peak right after harvest, so foods you pick right out of your garden and are grown organically are the healthiest foods to consume.
Irrigation
Drip Systems: The most efficient way to water plants, trees and shrubs is via a drip irrigation system. Drip sytems delivery a slow drip of water to the base of the plant where it can be immediately absorbed into the soil next to the plant's root system. The do-it-yourselfer can easily install a drip system.
Soaker Hoses: When planting ground cover plants that will spread, a soaker hose is recommended, but a sprinkler can be used as well.
Sprinklers: Sprinkler systems for lawns can be manual or automatic. A manual sprinkler can be harder to 'fit' to the size and shape of your lawn resulting in uneven watering. They must also be moved around, and if not hooked up to a timer, can be forgotten and left on too long. For small lawns that are bascially square or rectangular in shape they can work just fine.
A distinct advantage to moveable sprinklers is that you can water only certain sections of a lawn based on need.
The efficiency of automatic sprinkler systems depends upon how well they are designed, installed and operated. I've seen hundreds of systems that are oversized, spray water onto hard surfaces and are programmed to water too frequently and for too long. Having an automatic sprinkler system does't mean you'll never have to think about it. Sprinkler heads should be monitored to check their aim and coverage. Move, remove, repair or adjust heads as necessary to correct over watering.
Know how and when to override your system's programmed settings to shut the system off. Don't water on windy days and before or during a rainstorm. Following a rainstorm that results in at least an inch of precipitation, keep the system off for a full week. This chore can be eliminated with the installation of a rain sensor that will detect rain or moisture in the soil and shut the sytem off automatically when not needed.
Hard Surfaces
Impervious surfaces like poured concrete, asphalt and pavers create areas where water runs off. Runoff enters storm drains carrying silt, fertilizers and herbicides you may use in your yard with it--polluting nearby waterways.
Landscapes should be as water permeable as possible to permit water to filter into the ground instead of run off. Minimize hard surfaces, and choose permeable alternatives such as crushed rock, bark, and special permeable pavers.
Even lawns--after extended, heavy use--can become compacted and somewhat impervious. Adding organic mulch and aeration twice a year can help avoid compaction in the first place. If soil is severly compacted, the lawn (if there is one) will need to be sacrificed and the earth loosened to a depth of 12" before being replanted.
To avoid contaminated runoff from impervious surfaces, avoid leaving pet waste on lawns and use fertilizers and herbicides sparingly--even non-toxic varieties.
Furniture
Furniture, planters, fencing and decking are being made from recycled plastic. These products are durable and maintenance free making them ideal for outdoor use. Check out some of the resources at right.
If recycled plastic isn't your thing, wood products made from FSC-certified wood are earth friendly, but maintenance will be required.
OUTDOOR RESOURCES
WANT TO BE ON
THIS LIST? LEARN HOW
PLANTS
Index of hardy plant resources by state.
SEEDS
Select the right grass seed for your region.
IRRIGATION
Timers for manual sprinkler systems.
Rain sensors for irrigation systems.
FURNITURE
FSC-Certified Eucalyptus
Wood dining sets
Envirope
hammock
Furniture
and planters
LIGHTING
MISCELLANEOUS
Biodegradable pet waste pick-up bags