We hear about water conservation all of the time. While we may not have non-water use days and heavy restrictions in Nebraska, draught is still a real threat. We all enjoy greenspace. Taking steps now can ensure that we create more resilient landscaping so that when severe draughts return, the impact to our greenspace will not be as severe.
There are other advantages to draught resistant landscaping as well. First and foremost, it lowers your water bill. Saving money is never a bad thing. It is good for the environment. Using less water is a win-win for everyone. It is also easier to maintain. It lends itself to lower maintenance which equals more time for you to enjoy your yard rather than work in it.
Here are 5 things you can do right now to make your yard less water dependent and more environmentally friendly:
1. Install Drip Irrigation
Effective drought-resistant landscaping design utilizes as little water as possible while still keeping your landscape thriving and vibrant. The key to achieving that is targeted watering. Choosing drip irrigation over traditional watering methods will direct just enough water to the parts of your yard that really need it.
A drip system is a network of tubes above ground with holes at custom intervals. The water drips straight from the device into the soil, reducing runoff and evaporation. Drip irrigation is more than 90% efficient, whereas traditional sprinkler systems are 50% to 70% efficient. We have awesome referral companies if this is a service you need handled!
2. Build a Rock Garden
A rock garden offers the aesthetic of a traditional garden without all the water it takes to maintain it. Rock gardens are a creative hardscaping method which allows you to create a water-wise refuge. Bobvilla.com offers 15 Gorgeous Rock Garden Ideas for Your Landscape.
Rock gardens can be designed with boulders, gravel, and rocks of all shapes and sizes. You can make seating areas, gravel designs, and raised rock gardens. You can even add walkways and pavers. Choosing a color scheme before you start helps identify the drought-resistant plants and succulents that will complement your design.
3. Replace Grass with Ground Cover
Traditional grass is not the only way to achieve a green lawn. Grassy lawns use a lot of water. You can cut down on your water usage by replacing traditional turfgrass with ground cover. Ground cover is any low-lying plant that spreads by a creeping habit. They are a great low-maintenance alternative to grass that will still give you plenty of lush green foliage in your yard.
Ground cover options for Omaha include Poppy Mallow, Pussytoes, Serbian Yarrow, Lamb’s Ear and Creeping Juniper.
4. Plant Native Perennials
Saving water does not have to equal a colorless landscape. Nebraska’s 1,500 species of native plants are adapted to harsh, dry winters and periods of drought. They will not need as much water as non-native plants and with enough rainfall in the summer they will not need to be watered at all. As an added bonus, many of the colorful flowers attract pollinators like bees, birds, and butterflies that help the local ecosystem.
5. Collect Rainwater
Collecting rainwater is simple with a rain barrel. It attaches to your gutter downspout and gathers water to use for your plants. In Nebraska, up to 75% of summer water use goes toward irrigating yards. A rain barrel can cut your water consumption.
A rain barrel collects water to use during dry spells, reduces runoff and stormwater pollution, and benefits your garden because it is naturally soft and oxygenated water.
The experts at Patera Landscaping can plan the right draught resistant custom landscaping design for you today!