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32 Sunset Easy Water-Wise Ga
Copyright 2009Sunset Publishing CorporationER-641
A
smart Gardening ideasSubscribe to Sunset magazine for landscaping inspirationand gardening advice tailored to your climate in eachmonthly issue. Visit sunset.com or call 800/777-0117.
Use these companion books from Sunset to help yo ugarden successfully in your climate zone. Available atyour local bookseller and home and garden center.
Many proessionals can help you
design and implement a water-
conserving landscape. Beore deciding
on anyone, get several bids and talk
with previous clients.
Local water districtsusually oer
a wealth o inormation, including
recommended plant lists, watering
guidelines, and water-saving tips.
Landscape architectsdesign entireoutdoor environments, rom plantings
to structures like patios and decks.
Licensed and university-trained, they
can provide the whole package, rom
design to installation. Or they can help
in specic trouble spots, such as steep
slopes or areas with poor drainage.
Landscape contractorsare trained
and licensed in methods o earth
moving, construction, irrigation, and
planting. They are very useul or di-
cult projects.
Landscape or garden designers
have varying degrees o education but
are usually not licensed. The ocus o
their work is likely to be residential
gardens. Oten they work in conjunc-tion with a landscape contractor.
Irrigation consultants are
usually licensed contractors associated
with an irrigation-supply store (another
good source o inormation). They can
help design and install ecient irriga-
tion systems.
Local nurseries can oer useul
inormation and assistance in choosing
plants and irrigation equipment. Many
have design services.
Easy water-wise
gardeningAdvice and design ideasfor the 21st century.From the editors ofA
ThomasJ.Story
Favorite websitesbewaterwise.comLow-water landscape
design ideas, irrigation advice, and
links to local water agencies.
ccwater.com/conserveContra Costa
Water Districts website provides inor-
mation on water conservation, land-
scape design, and maintenance.
irrigation.orgInormation on smart
controllers and ecient irrigation, andtips or hiring an irrigation contractor.
irrigationessentials.comInormation on
irrigation equipment and ecient
watering.
www.nrcs.usda.govTips or backyard
conservation.
savingwater.orgThe Saving Water Part-
nerships website provides water-
conserving inormation or the
Northwest.
snwa.org The Southern Nevada Water
Authoritys website provides inorma-
tion on low-water plants, landscaping,
and irrigation.
sunset.comSunsets website oers
landscape ideas, planting plans, and
detailed inormation about localclimate zones.
water.ca.govCaliornia Department o
Water Resources website provides
inormation on drought in Caliornia,
unthirsty plants, and ecient irrigation.
Sunset Plant Finder
Where to get help
Looking for the right low-waterplant for your climate and gardeningstyle? Go to sunset.com/plantfinderand search by type, growing condi-tions, and color.
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2 Sunset Easy Water-Wise Ga
Great gardefor a new erIn the West, water is as preciogold. Most o our rainall comes
yet many garden plants need irr
in summer, during our driest mo
Seasonal droughts, groundwate
tion, and population growth str
valuable resource. I we are to henough water in the uture, we
avoid wasting water in our hom
gardens today.
O the water Westerners use
about 50 percent goes to garde
most important place to start a
tion program is right outside ou
Fortunately, water conservation
mean settling or a barren lands
means practicing good gardenin
ing plants well adapted to your
improving your soil, watering e
and taking advantage o the late
tion technology all help save w a
Plants that require less wate
widely available at nurseries. Th
Western Garden Book,Sunset Wesscaping, and the onlineSunset P
tool (sunset.com/plantfnder) can
you with lists and plans.
In this booklet, we oer man
save water in your garden, inclu
watering strategies based on so
smart use o watering devices, a
about selecting an ecient irrig
system or your garden.
Contents4 Low-water landscape
Elements o a dry garden, p
or all climates, planting pl
permeable suraces
14 Efcient irrigationManual watering, sprinkle
systems, choosing the righ
26 Water savings
Mulch basics, rainwater ha
putting it all together
32 Where to get help
Proessionals to consult an
to browse
A gorgeous mix olow-water plants,including Caliorniaescue, carex, catmint,erigeron, Garnet
penstemon, lavender,Mexican bush sage,Morning Lightmiscanthus, androsemary.
SaxonHolt
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Design
No lawnUsing a tapestry o groundcoversinstead o thirsty tur to landscapethe ront yard saves pr ecious water.designJerey Gordon SmithLandscape Architecture, Los Osos,CA (jgsdesigns.com)
Drip irrigationLow-low irrigation is the mosteicient way to water plantstheres no runo or evaporation.Its also the healthiest system orplants because the water penetratesdeeply into the soil, encouragingplant roots to do the same.
Permeable pavingStrips o elin thyme andArmeriamaritima dissect the lagstone pavingleading to the ront door, soaking uprainall and directing excess to theyard on either side.
Xeric plantsNative and Mediterranean plants,such as the manzanita, yarrow,Euphorbia, and Kniphofia pictured,are well adapted to the West: Theyrequire little water and maintenance,and their blue-green, gray-greenoliage looks right in our light.
MulchA thick layer o mulch hesoil moisture. But it can design, creating negativmakes plant groupings ospecimens stand out.
Elements ofa low-waterlandscapeA dry garden can be as
inviting as any otherDrought is a act o lie in the West.Its part o the natural weather cycle.
That's why water conservation should be a
part o every Westerners liestyle. Happily,
a well-designed water-wise landscape can
be lush and colorul and will make your
home a beautiul and inviting place.
Start by leaving more areas unplanted
than you would i you li ved in a wetter
climatea big water savings right o the
top. Make the paths generous and put
gravel under seating areas instead o
planting a groundcover. Use decomposed
granite in place o thirsty lawn grass. T hen
plant the remaining spaces with ornamen-
tals that are adapted to arid climates.
Finally, to highlight waters revered statusin the unthirsty garden, add a ew traces
o it, some real, some illusory: a ountain
that barely trickles, a dry streambed that
awaits the next downpour, or a lovely urn.
StevenA.Gunther
8 Water-savingbasicsFollow these guidelines fora water-efficient garden1. IMPROVE THE SOILRoutinely cultivate thesoil in your vegetable andannual beds, incorporat-ing organic matter suchas compost. Doing so
improves the soils abilityto retain moisture. Mostlandscape plants (trees,shrubs, and native plantsespecially) establishfaster when planted innative soils without theaddition of amendments.If your soil is sandy orrocky, you may need toadd compost.2. plant in the rightplace Locate unthirstyplants where theyll getthe sun (or shade) expo-sure and soil drainagethey need. Group plantsthat have similar waterneeds so none gets toolittle or too much water.3. Shrink the lawn
Most lawn grasses needenormous amounts ofwater to stay green andlush. Reduce your lawnssize, orunless you needit for kids to play oneliminate it altogether.4. CONTROL WEEDSThese garden intruderssteal water needed bydesirable plants. Regu-larly hoe or pull them outwhen theyre young, oruse landscape fabrics andmulches to discouragegrowth.
5. Upgrade yourirrigation system Addelements such as smartcontrollers connected toweather stations andnew, highly efficientsprinklers or drip emittersto make precision water-ing much easier. (Seepages 1621.)
6. WATER DEEPLY Irrigateestablished plants thor-oughly but infrequentlyto encourage roots togrow downward; they willbe buffered from the wet-dry cycle typical of theupper soil area and maytap into groundwater.7. IRRIGATE EFFI-CIENTLY Make sure yourwatering practices anddevices are as efficient aspossible. Water plantsonly when needed, not bythe calendar or clock.Water at night, whenevaporation is muchlower and the air gener-ally calmer. Tightenfaucets so they dont
leak. Avoid runoff andwasteful overspray.8. MULCH Cover bareground around each plantwith a 3-inch layer ofmulch to help conservesoil moisture, suppressweeds, and keep the soilcooler; renew annually.Organic types such asbark chips, shreddedbark, or compost improvethe soil as they breakdown, and encouragebeneficial microbes. (Seepages 2627.)
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Low water,high styleCombine flowering andfoliage plants for a colorful,all-season garden
Water-thrity gardens deliver all thebold orms and colors o traditional land-
scapes, but with minimal resources and a
lot less eort. As with any garden, they
incorporate all the elements necessary or
outdoor living and entertaining: Paths and
patios to give the garden orm and di rec-
tion. Arbors and trellises to help divide the
garden into rooms, and to create shade.
Benches and outdoor urnishings or
comort. But thats where the similarity to
conventional landscapes ends.
The gardens pictured here are designed
to thrive on little more than rainall, but
they oer many other advantages beyond
conserving moisture. Drought-tolerant
plants dont require much, i any, ertilizer,
so they tend to grow at a rate thats easyto manage without constant pruning.
Because they produce less green waste,
they contribute less to landlls. In addi-
tion, many drought-tolerant plants, espe-
cially Western natives, attract birds and
butterfies, which come to dine on insect
pests or to sip nectar.
Its possible to have a garden thats
both water-conserving and beautiul, with
plenty o lush oliage and a generous dose
o seasonal fowers. All o the gardens
pictured are rich tapestries o color and
motion, thanks to their diverse palettes o
careully chosen natives, perennials, orna-
mental grasses, shrubs, or succulents.
Water-wise gardens take a bit more
planning than ordinary landscapes, butover time they oer signicant savings in
labor costsand, o course, w ater.
5 greatwater-wisedetails1. BRIGHT COLORSYellow columbine, redvalerian, and lavendercatmint bloom amid a seaof mown buffalo grass ina New Mexico garden. Acluster of aspen treesprovides light shade forthe columbine.2. FOLIAGE TEXTUREStrong architecturaldetails set the stage forthis Seattle garden filledwith billowy grasses andperennials. Along thegravel path, giant feathergrass (Stipa gigantea) andmaiden grass createclouds of strappy foliagebeside catnip and Span-ish lavender.3. BOLD SHAPES Goldenbarrel cactus appear tomarch along the top of arock wall between fine-textured purple Daleagreggii plants. AnAgaveweberi adds drama behindthem, while blue paloverde and desert iron-wood trees soften thehouse walls.
4. LUSH PLANTINGS In aSan Diego garden, adense border on a slope isfilled with large nativeboulders. From the frontare bright green aeonium,yellow pincushion(Leucospermum), yellowCotula coronopifolia, varie-gatedFurcraea foetida Mediopicta, and a red-flowering ivy geranium.5. TWIST ON TRADITIONA suburban front yard inLong Beach, CA, plantedwith dark green Carexpansa, is watered onlyonce a week in summerand mowed just fourtimes a year.
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Design
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Plants forall climatesChoose ornamentals thatthrive in your regionWhile local natives are best suited to
most sites, other good choices includedrought-tolerant plants rom all corners o
the world. Some o the most water-wise
options are native to the Southwest
deserts. Others are rom the ve Mediter-
ranean climate regionsCaliornia, the
Mediterranean basin, South Arica, south-
western Australia, and the central coast o
Chilewhere rains are spare and summers
are warm and dry.
Many o these plants share characteris-
tics that help them survive periods o
intense heat and low rainall. They may
have gray or velvety leaves that refect
heat; succulent leaves, stems, and roots
that store water; or needlelike leaves
whose small surace area limits the poten-
tial or water loss. Or they may go dormantduring the hottest months o the year.
Water-wise plants have dierent
degrees o drought tolerance. Plants that
thrive on 30 inches o rain in the Northwest,
or instance, will wither in a Southwest
garden where the average rainall is 10
inches or less. Do your homework beore
nalizing plant choices, then group plants
into zones by their water needs. Place
thirstier (and oten showier) plants near-
est the house or in other high-visibility
spots, less thirsty plants in the background.
Make sure your irrigation plan supports
each zone independently o the others.
Avoid the mistake o thinking that some
types o plants never need watering. All
plants, native or not, need regular, deepirrigations through the rst year to help
their roots become established. Some need
moisture into the second year, but by then,
many do ne with only an occasional deep
watering. A bit o research and consulting
with your local nursery or cooperative
extension service will help you gure out
how much water your plants need.
7 greatwater-wiseplantings1. LOW SPREADING Cean-othus griseus Kurt Zadnikis a colorful groundcoverthat grows 2 to 3 feet talland 6 feet wide or more.Spring flowers are deepblue.
2. WATER-WISE ANDFIRE-WISE In a SanDiegoarea garden,spaces between bouldersare filled with a deep pinkrose-scented geranium,white nutmeg-scentedgeranium, and purplesweet-pea shrub.3. wildlie magnetConeflower (Echinacea) isa tough perennial withdaisy-like flowers in pink,lavender-purple, yellow,orange, and white. Beesand butterflies love tovisit the beehive-shapedcenters for nectar; finchesvisit later for seeds.4. EASY TO GROW Hornedpoppy (Glaucium flavum)
produces rosettes of crin-kly gray-green leavestopped by orange tobright yellow blooms.5. BRIGHT BERRIES Tall(usually to 10 feet), denseToyon puts on a brightshow in winter, when redberries envelop the shrub.6. BOLD FOLIAGE Cloudsof lime-colored flowerson Euphorbia characiaswulfenii contrast withchocolate-huedAeoniumarboreum Zwartkop tocreate drama in a SanClemente, CA, garden.7. SHAPE AND TEXTUREMediterranean-climateplants fill a garden borderin a rain shadow alongWashingtons PugetSound. They includeAsterMnch andSchizostyliscoccinea Oregon Sunset,framed against GoldSword New Zealand flax.Behind is tall, airy Verbenabonariensis.
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Design
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Pocket-size herb samplerJust 48 square eet is space enough or a diverse assortment o
scented herbs plus a compatible ragrant rose. Seven o the nine
herbs have culinary uses, making this planting especially appeal-
ing to cooks (particularly i its located near a kitchen door). The
two nonculinary choiceslavender cotton and catmintadd to
the plots beauty with their sot textures and equally sot gray-
green to gray-white lea color. In act, much o this gardens
charm derives rom its varied oliage colors and textures; conspic-
uous fowers appear chiefy on the chives, catmint, lavender
cotton, rosemary, and rose.
Western birdscapeThis small planting design is suited to mi ld-winter areas o Cali-
ornia and the Southwest deserts. Though it lacks trees and a
watering hole, it oers most o the inducements that birds crave:berries, seeds, and shelter. The irresistible lureas legions o
gardeners have come to knowis the yearly crop o rethorn
berries, but the gardens eathered patrons will also east on the
ruits o lantana, heavenly bamboo, cotoneaster, and Elaeagnus.Seed-eaters will appreciate the bounty o coreopsis, blanket
fower, black-eyed Susan, and ountain grass. The shrubs all
aord ample shelter.
Plant listA.Elaeagnusxebbingei;1B.Firethorn (Pyracan-tha coccinea Kasan; 1C.LantanaRadiation; 3+D.Heavenlybamboo (Nandinadomestica); 2E.Willowlea coto-neaster (Cotoneastersalicifolius EmeraldCarpet); 2+
F.Black-e(Rudbeckiavantii Gol
G.Founta(Pennisetusetaceum);H.Blanke(Gaillardiaflora); 5I.CoreopsSunburst
Plant listA.Chives(Alliumschoenoprasum); 3B.French tarragon(Artemisiadracunculus);4C.Catmint(Nepeta xfaassenii); 3D.Sweet marjoram(Origanum majorana,Majorana hortensis); 1E.Oregano(Origanumvulgare); 2
F.Rose (SG.Rosemnus officinaH.Comm(Salvia officIcterina)I.Lavend(Santolina crissus NanJ.Lemon t(Thymus xAureus; 1
Low-waterplanting plansBrighten a garden bed withherbs for your kitchen orberries and flowers for birds
The best plants or low-water gardensnot only enliven the landscape and thrive
on little water once established, they have
other benets as well. Woody perennial
herbs such as rosemary, sage, and
thymeall native to the Mediterranean
regionproduce leaves that can be used
resh or dried to favor meat, soups, and
stews. In beds and borders, they combine
well with blooming perennials such as
blue-fowered catmint and sunny yellow
patio roses.
Unthirsty shrubs and perennials that
pump out fowers, berries, or seeds invite
all kinds o birds to your garden, bringing it
alive with beauty and motion. (Birds also
east on pest insects.)
You can re-create one o the borderspictured at right in your own garden. The
best time to plant is early all, beore rains
come (theyll help irrigate the new trans-
plants or ree). Locate both beds in ull
sun. The bright herb sampler is designed
to t a small (8- by 6 -oot) space. The
birdscape is backed with three billowy
shrubs that need more room to sprawl.
The total number o each plant needed
is indicated ater each plant in the Plant
Lists, ar right.
Planting a
Planting a
a
e
h
c
g
Chives
Common sageCatmint
Fountain grass Firethorn
Blanket lower
Lemon thyme
Black-eyed Susan
Easy Water-Wise Ga
opposite,clockwisefromt
opleft:d
avidcavagnaro,thomasj.story(3),benwoolsey,clairecurran,
normana.plate(2);illustrations,fromt
op:loislovejoy(2),erinotoole(2)
Design
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Design
PermeablesurfacesLet rainfall percolate downto plant rootsPaths and patios that are paved with
gravel, decomposed granite, spaced fag-stones, or porous concrete are the best
choices or water-conserving gardens.
Permeable paving materials add beauty
and structure to the garden and, o course,
require no irrigation themselves. More-
over, they allow rainwater and irrigation to
pass through them and into the soil,
preventing runo that can clog storm
drains and pollute nearby lakes, streams,
and coastal waters.
I youre considering gravel, visit your
local landscape supply yard to experience
the look and eel o dierent types. Gravel
reers to rocks ranging in size rom 1
/8 inch
to 11/2 inches. It comes in two orms:
Manmade crushed rock has sharp, irregu-
lar edges; nature-made river rock (alsoknown as natural pebbles) is rounded.
Think about where it will be used. For
high-trac areas, such as paths and
patios, use manmade crushed rock.
Because the pieces bind together well,
they create a more stable surace or walk-
ing. The most common size is 3/8 inch, an
all-purpose gravel thats also good as a
mulch around plantings. For a soter
surace under bare eet, use 1/4-inch or
ner natural pebbles. For low-trac areas,
river rock is an attractive choice, but the
larger, smoother pieces are less stable
underoot than crushed rock.
You can green up suraces covered with
stone or cobbles by planting mat-orming
groundcovers between the pavers. Goodchoices or this use include creeping thyme
(shown at ar upper right); Dymondia
margaretae, which orms a tight mat o
narrow, gray-green leaves and tiny yellow
fowers in summer; and snow-in-summer
(Cerastium tomentosum), a dense, tuty mat
o silvery gray oliage with small white
fowers in early summer.
7 ways to useporous paving1. golden gravel Inthis Los Angeles garden,a base of warm-toned3/4-inch gravel makes abold visual distinctionfrom surrounding green-ery, including drought-tolerant blue Senecio
mandraliscae.2. shale and paversFractured shale fills gapsbetween concrete paversin a garden in Alamo, CA;yarrow and grassessoften paths edges,3. classic illerDrought-tolerant creep-ing thyme grows 3 inchestall and roots as it spreadsto fill spaces betweenflagstone pavers.4. woodsy path Spacedconcrete stones curvethrough a garden in GigHarbor, WA.5. it or a iresidePaprika yarrow andWalkers Low catmintedge a secluded gravel
seating area in Califor-nias wine country.6. paired materialsEdged with pale flag-stone, a half-inch ofdecomposed granite overa compacted base formsa well-draining surface inthis garden in RanchoMirage, CA. Palo verde,agaves, opuntia cactus,and barrel cactus thrivein the flanking gravelpatches.7. Pocket patioA 7-footcircle of bricks set into abase of compacted sandis easy to move and adaptfor different purposes.
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jennifercheung/JupiterImages,jim
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ThomasJ.Story,StevenA.Gunther,ThomasJ.Story
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Efficientwatering 101Learn about your soil,watch your plants, and getthe right tools
When determining how you shouldwater, rst consider your plants. Because
plants with deeper roots are better able to
withstand periods o drought, your goal
should be to apply enough water to wet
the entire root zone and to encourage
deep rooting. Shallow watering leads to
shallow roots and plants that are very
susceptible to drought and fuctuating
temperatures. You should also avoid
applying so much water that it penetrates
deeper than roots actually grow. That
water is wasted.
Watering checklistHydrozoning. Organize your landscape
into hydrozonesgroups o plants with
similar water, soil, and exposure needs. Bydoing so, its possible to apply water very
eciently and allocate more water to
thirsty plants and less to unthirsty ones.
For example, you should separate low-
water users, which thrive on rainall alone
or with minimal supplemental water (such
as native plants, or ones similarly adapted
to drought) rom high-water users (such
as lawns, annual fowers, and vegetable
gardens). As much as possible, maximize
the amount o garden space dedicated to
low-water users.
Observe your plants. Get to know the
signs o moisture stress, such as droopy,
o-colored oliage.
Know your soil. Examine it requently,
making sure it is not too wet or too drybetween waterings. I necessary, add
organic matter to new planting areas to
improve soil texture or to hold moisture
better.
Water deeply, then let the soil partially
dry beore watering again. Irrigate long
enough to wet the entire root zone.
To determine how deep the water is
How to choosethe right hoseA cheap hose prone to kinks and cracgardening a chore. It pays to invest i
n Hoses may be made of rubber or vincombination of the two. The best moporate multiple layers of reinforcing as nylon or rayon. Hose couplings ananother indication of quality. The strcouplings are made of brassthe thbetterand the best swivels are hexeasy gripping. Also look for a protectbelow the coupling; its designed to phose from kinking at the faucet.
n Garden hoses vary in length (25, 50,feet) and diameter (1/2, 5/8, and 3/4 inchose can deliver about a third as muc3/4-inch hose. If you have low water pyou must run your hose uphill, buy th
largest-diameter hose thats practicasituation.
use a hose in furrow1. Basins 3 to 6 inches deep hold wateplants. On level ground, link basins twatering easier.
2. Furrows 3 to 8 inches deep help a hbubbler attachment irrigate straight
Irrigation
penetrating, push a sti metal rod into the
soil ater watering. It will move easily
through wet soil but will stop or be harder
to push when it hits dry soil. Beore water-ing again, let the top ew i nches o soil dry
out, depending on the size o the plant.
Avoid runo. Dont apply water aster
than the soil can absorb it. Direct water to
plant roots by building basins or u rrows o
soil around plants. Use terraces or basins
to avoid runo on slopes. Pulse-irrigate
plants in clay soil or on slopes: Apply
1
12 3
1
2
water until puddles appear, stop until the
water is absorbed, then repeat the cycle
until water penetrates to the desired
depth. Use drip or low-volume irrigation(see pages 1821).
Adjust watering schedules with the
weather and seasons. Water less oten in
cool weather, more requently during hot
weather. Irrigate early in the morning,
when winds are calm and evaporation is
low. (See How season aects watering,
page 25.)
1. Portable sprinklersThey feature different spraymethods: oscillating, rotating,impulse, or traveling. Choose aheavy-weight model with apattern that matches theshape of the area to be wateredand that applies water evenlyover the entire area.
2. Soaker hoses Flat hosesperforated on one side orporous ooze types work beston level ground. Run themalong rows of vegetables,flowers, or hedges; spiralaround trees; or use tomoisten beds of seedlings.
3. Hose-end nozzlesNozzles turn water flow into avariety of sprays, from strongjet to gentle mist. Those withlong handles are especiallyhelpful for watering hangingbaskets. (If the nozzle doesntalready have a shutoff valve,you can connect one betweenit and the hose.)
manual watering devicesHand watering can be very efficient: You can pinpoint individual plants and vary watering times basedon plant needs and weather. The right devices make it easier.
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Efficientwatering:with sprinklersA good choice for overheadirrigation of a large areaFor large lawns and some vegetableand fower beds, underground sprinkler
systems are a good option. To operate
properly, they need high pressure (40 psi
or more at the water source). You may
want to hire a proessional to plan and
install the system, which entails much
physical labor. However, sprinkler manu-
acturers provide good instructions,
and many people decide to do the job
themselves.
Design your systemTo design an underground irrigation
system, ollow these steps:
Make a scale drawing o your property.
Include new or existing landscaping, hard-scaping like paths and patios, and any
existing underground utilities. Divide your
property into hydrozones.
Visit an irrigation supplier. Take time
to amiliarize yoursel with components
listed and shown in the photograph on the
acing page. Pay attention to sprinkler
output rates and nozzle spray patterns.
Sketch your systemStores or nurseries that specialize in irriga-
tion supplies can help you plan and draw
an irrigation system, or you may preer to
have a proessional do the design. Regard-
less, it makes sense to be involved with
the design process. Here are some basictips when planning a system.
Limit heads. Use as ew sprinklers as
possible to achieve head-to-head cover-
age: Spray rom one sprinkler should reach
the head o the next sprinkler. For ull
coverage, each area should be covered by
three sprinklers.
VaarnoA schasprof aarcthesega ci
Nozzle
Cuto riser
Pop-up sprinkler
PVC slip by thread T
Control valve andbacklow preventer
Hose bibb
Systeshutovalve
PVC pipe
Sprinklerhead
PVC slip bthread elb
Swing joint
Schedule 80 riser
Isolate sprays. Position sprinklers to
prevent overspray into neighboring
hydrozones or paved areas.
Simpliy the course. Plot layouto under-
ground pipes with ewest turns.
Group by valve. Plot circuitsa group o
sprinklers controlled by the same valve
to correspond to the hydrozones. Every-
thing on one circuit (valve) will be watered
at the same time. Your water pressure andfow rate will determine how many sprin-
klers you can have on each circuit. Each
circuit should comprise the same type o
sprinklers: spray or rotor. Dont mix the two.
Maintain yoursprinkler systemTo make sure your system operates e-
ciently, oten watch it run to check or
signs o leaks, malunctions, or poor
perormance. Adjust sprinklers when
necessary, and unclog heads with a knie
or piece o wire. Replace broken sprinklers
or risers. Water-lled valve boxes or leak-
ing sprinklers may be a sign that valves
need to be repaired or replaced. Wet spots
and a constantly running water meter areother signs o problems. In reezing
climates, install a drain valve at the
lowest point in each circuit. Beore winter
reeze, drain the system through the drain
valve, and hire a proessional to blow
compressed air through the system to
clear remaining water.
Spray overlap
Sprinkler
Irrigation
Use the right componentsControl valves These include backflow (anti-siphon) devices to prevent water from flowinginto the home water supply.Tip:Valves are usually grouped together so theycan easily be wired to electronic controllers.Pipes These are made of rigid, white polyvinylchloride (PVC). To glue or thread sections of pipe
together, youll need fittings that come in variousconfigurations (including T and elbow) and types(slip and threaded).Risers These vertical pieces of pipe connectsprinklers to underground pipes. They may be12 to 18 inches tall to clear shrubs, 6 inches or lessfor lawn sprinklers.Tip:You can buy adjustable polyethylene risersat the desired height, as well as cutoff types thatallow a choice of heights. (A swing joint makes iteasy to adjust the height and angle of sprinklerheads.)Sprinkler heads There are two basic catego-ries: spray and rotary (rotors). Spray heads emit afixed spray, whereas rotorsboth gear-drivenand impact typesmove as they shoot out singleor multiple streams of water. Spray heads aregenerally for smaller areas, throwing water inabout a 15-foot radius. Rotors cover up to about a45-foot radius but need more pressure to operate.Because they apply water at a slower rate than
spray heads, rotors must run for longer periodsto wet an area, but they are less likely to causerunoff.Tip: Both spray heads and rotors are available instationary sprinklers and pop-ups.
SprinklercoverageThis illustrationshows how toposition sprin-klers to ensure
even coverage.Sprinkler headsin the cornerscast water in anarc, while thecenter headwaters in acircle. Dark tintindicates wateroverlap.
NozzlespraypatternsFor propercoverage,
typically youmust set somenozzles todifferent arcsthan others.
360270
240180
12090
Nozzles These determine a sprinklepattern of spray, radius of throw, andof water delivered. Choose the patteto fit the shape of the area. Most sprhave nozzles that emit water propora 90 nozzle delivers a quarter of thefull-circle nozzle delivers. Variable-a(pictured below) can be adjusted fro
of spray; nozzles are also available foand irregular shapes. All rotors have arcs, although how you make the adjvaries by model and manufacturer.Tip: Easy-to-change nozzles adjust arates between heads with different a
elements of asprinkler system
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18 Sunset Easy Water-Wise Gar
needs. Programs allow you to set when
the system comes on (say, Tuesdays and
Fridays at 6 a.m.) and how long it runs (run
time). Multiple start times allow the water
to be delivered in shorter spurts. For
example, the controller can water the
lawn or 10 minutes, turn o the water or
an hour, then water or another 10minutes. This pulse-irrigating translates
into very little waste due to runo. Water
budgeting eatures allow you to step up or
step down the run time with the seasons
or weather.
But its important to get used to repro-
gramming the controller to suit plants
changing water needs. Adjust your irriga-
Efficientwatering:a drip systemThe wise choice for focused,localized irrigationWhile underground rigid-pipesprinkler systems use high water pressure
and volume to dispense water over a large
area, drip or low-volume irrigation delivers
water at low pressure and volume (in
gallons per hour) to specic areas, oten
just to individual plants. Penetration o
water is slow, its depth regulated by the
length o time the system is on.
The result is well-watered plants,
using less water than with sprinklers. Drip
emitters, which release water directly to
the soil, waste virtually no water; even
minisprayers and minisprinklers, which
spray water into the air, deliver less water
than ordinary sprinklers do. Emitters and
minisprinklers are available in manydierent styles, varying primarily in
output (gallons per hour) or, in the case o
minisprinklers, in the size and shape o
watering pattern.
A drip-irrigation system can be
connected to your main water line or oper-
ated rom a hose bibb or the end o a hose.
It is possible to convert an existing rigid
pipe system to a drip system (see page 20).
State-of-the-artirrigation systemsIrrigation technology is evolving rapidly,
making watering easier and more ecient.
I you consider yoursel technically adept,
you might want to include some o thelatest products in your system. Most need
to be monitored very careully to operate
properly, so there is a commitment
involved, but they can be very useul.
Rain sensors. Theyre hooked into auto-
matic controllers to override irrigation
when signicant rainall occurs.
Subsurace irrigation. Using in-line drip
emitters enclosed in black polyethylene
tubing (also called emitter line) is an
alternative way to water lawns. The
tubing is buried 4 to 8 inches below the
tur and usually spaced 12 to 18 inches
apart, depending on the soil type. Within
the tubing there are individual emittersspaced every 12 to 18 inches. One manuac-
turer inuses emitters with an herbicide to
prevent grass roots rom growing into and
clogging the openings.
To nd out more about moisture
sensors and subsurace irrigation, consult
suppliers that specialize in irrigation
equipment.
Irrigation controller: Bestfriend or worst enemy?When connected to a well-designed irriga-
tion system, a properly set automatic
controller can reduce waste and do a
better job o watering than most garden-
ers can. But controllers are only as good as
the people who use them. Many home-owners dont know how (or have orgotten
how) to set them properly or dont make
adjustments with the seasons. I that
sounds amiliar, spend some time reac-
quainting yoursel with your controller.
Multiple-program controllers provide
the most ecient way to irrigate dierent
areas o the garden with diering water FROML
EFT:StevenA.gunther,Thoma
sJ.Story
Control valve
FilterPressureregulator
PVC pipe
1/2-inchpolyethylenetubing
Emitter
Pop-upmicrospray
Automaticcontroller
End cap
Hose bibb
Systemshutovalve
Irrigation
Use the right compoControl valve that runs each zonethe systemBacklow preventer (antisiphon
each zone (may be part of the controPressure regulator to reduce preincoming water so setup wont blow Filter to remove dirt particles from PVC pipes to transport water to yourareasPolyethylene tubing (1/2 inch) anding (1/4 inch) to deliver water from theemittersFittings (compression, barbed, andto connect the components) and endEmitters, minisprinklers, and oto apply water to plantsFlush valve to aid in cleaning dirt osystem (in areas with dirty water) or water out of the system (in climates wtemperatures)
This landscape in
Encinitas, CA, thriveson rainall in winter andspring; an all-dripsystem takes over insummer. Low-waterplants includeAloearborescens(withorange spires),
Aeonium arboreum(with yellow cones),and purple statice.
tion schedule at least monthly to refect
changes in weather and day length. For
example, a lawn that requires watering 4
days per week in July will generally need
watering only 3 days per week in Septem-
ber and 1 or 2 days per week in October.
Doing it yourselfSome homeowners preer to install small
drip systems by themselves. For detailed
instructions, consult the inormation
provided by suppliers. I you install a
system yoursel, youll need to create a
scale drawing o your yard to calculate
equipment needs. For an extensive
system, its best to hire a proessional.
elements of adrip system
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Above:craigd.wood;Illustrationa
tright:Nikschulz
The right emitter depends on yourplants and soil typeThe heavier the soil, the slower it absorbs water.So for heavier soils, you should irri gate with lowergallon-per-hour (gph) emitters. Then run thesystem longer to supply enough water to plants.
PLANTS SOIL WHICH EMITTER AND WHERE
Low shrubs SandyLoamClay
One 2-gph; next to plantOne 1-gph; next to plant
One 1/2-gph; next to plant
Mediumto largeshrubs
SandyLoamClay
Two or three 2-gph; evenly around plantTwo or three 1-gph; evenly around plantTwo or three 1/2-gph; evenly around plant
Small trees(6- to 8-footcanopy)
Sandy
LoamClay
Three to six 1-gph or two or three2-gph; on J-loop or two lines onopposite sidesTwo or three 1-gph; installed as aboveTwo or three 1/2-gph; installed as above
Larger trees(10- to 15-footcanopy)
Sandy
LoamClay
Four or five 2-gph; on J-loop or two lineson opposite sidesFour or five 1-gph; installed as aboveFour or five 1/2-gph; installed as above
Ground-covers,spaced at least2 feet apart
Sandy orloamClay
One 1-gph; at rootball
One 1/2-gph; at rootball
Ground-covers,closely spaced
Any soil O verlap pi ng mi ni sp ra ys or min ispr in kler s(or follow drip guidelines below for Beds offlowers or vegetables)
Beds olowers orvegetables
SandyLoamClay
Several 2-gph; about a foot apart in a rowSeveral 1-gph; about 11/2 feet apart in a rowSeveral 1/2 -gph; about 11/2 feet apart in a row
Containers Potting soil One or more 1/2- or 1-gph
How deepShading shows vertical wettingpattern; notice how much deeper
water goes in sandy soil than in clay.
How wideHorizontal coverage is also impor-tant; below we list the area covered
by drip emitters.
EMITTERFLOW RATE
1/2 gph
1 gph
2 gph
SandySoil
1 sq. t.
5 sq. t.
11 sq. t.
LOAMSOIL
5 sq. t.
11 sq. t.
18 sq. t.
CLAYSOIL
11 sq. t.
18 sq. t.
31 sq. t.
Sandy Loam Clay
Beginning o the seasonn Open the end caps or fush valve.n Clean lters.n Run water through system to clear;
replace end caps.n Ater the rst couple o uses in spring,
make sure wetting pattern is as expected.
I emitter isnt working, clean or replace it.n Inspect lines or leaks.n Adjust automatic controller i necessary.
Peak seasonn Check or evidence o leaks, such as
puddles or eroded soil, and secure loose
tubing.
n Replace or clean clogged emitters and
minisprinklers.n Move emitters arther rom plants base
as the plant grows; add emitters.n Clean the lter as needed.n Adjust timer with the changing seasons.
Wintern In cold-winter areas, remove end caps
and caps on lters and drain lines.n In reezing weather, shut o pressurized
water, bring battery-operated timersindoors, drain valve assemblies (antisiphon
control valve, lter, and pressure regulator),
and open end caps.
Punchingdrip holes
Irrigation
Troubleshyour drip sThe problem: Olooks thirsty.The solution:zone and, if soil to see if the emitclogged. If emittthere are extensthere probably aemitters aroundThe problem: Pline look thirsty.
The solution:break in the line last healthy planthirsty one.The problem: Pvalve look thirstThe solution:are working, youunderwatering.The problem: Alook thirsty.The solution:controller and thrain shutoff buttif necessary. If thcheck moisture aIf soil is dry, lookin main water linvalves. If systemrepair, increase wtime.The problem: Pyellowish; soil isThe solution:overwatering; reing time on valveThe problem: Wpuddles on the sThe solution:have clay soil; chters to a lower gthe system for a and repeat cycle
Punching pointersWhen making holes in drip tubing or
emitters and barbed ttings, use a punch
designed or that purpose. Be sure the
tubing is straighti it is twisted, the
emitter could end up on the top, causing
water to run along the tubing instead o
dripping down onto the soil. The hole
should be positioned so that the emitter
will drip to the side or downward. Hold
the punch at a right angle to the tubing to
ensure a round hole that will seal tightly
against the emitters barb. You may nd
the piercing process easier i you slowly
twist the punch as you push it into the
tubing. On some punches, the tip may
become clogged with extracted tubing;clear it out beore punching again.
Convert your sprinklersto dripI some circuits o your conventional sprin-
kler system are watering plants that could
be more eciently irrigated with drip, you
can retrot your system by making use o
the existing underground pipes.
The various conversion systems call
or removing all the conventional sprin-
klers on a circuit, connecting drip compo-
nents at one or more risers, and capping
all risers that arent used. In most cases,
you must add a lter and pressure regula-
tor to the line.
Maintain your drip systemAs your garden matures, youll need to
install new emitters and increase the
number o emitters watering your plants.
Youll also need to check your system
occasionally to look or clogged emitters
or broken lines. Heres a season-by-season
guide to drip-system mai ntenance.
Using a timed drip-irrigationsystem to water containersensures your garden-in-potsgets the water it needswith-out wasteeven if youreneglectful or on the go.
You can choose a prepack-aged kit; many are easy to puttogether. Get one that includesa timer, a filter, a pressureregulator, and an antisiphondevice (also called a backflowpreventer or vacuum breaker),which keeps irrigation waterfrom being drawn back intothe public water system and is
required by many localities.If your kit doesnt have thesecomponents, purchase themseparately. Different manufac-turers components usuallyarent interchangeable, so if
you think you may need extraparts, its best to buy from avendor that sells individualdrip-irrigation pieces.
Position containers whereyou want them before youlay any tubing (and measurecarefully since its hard toremove fittings once theyreconnected). On a timed
system, the plants should havesimilar water needs; try to usecontainers in the same sizerange. After you set up, turnyour system on and monitor itfor a couple of cycles to make
sure everything works prop-erly. Look for leaks and assessflow, adjusting as necessary.SOURCES DripWorks(dripworksusa.com) and Raindrip (raindrip.com) sell kits; the UrbanFarmer Store (urbanfarmerstore.com) sells separatecomponents and offers advicefor customized systems.
Drip kits for potsA hassle-free way to water container plants automatically
Emitter
Hose bibb
Stake
Timer
Anti-siphondevice
Pressureregulatorand ilter
Main line End clampConnector
Emitter
Branchline
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The rightwateringsystemWhich irrigation systemis best for you?Lawn (A)n Hose-end sprinklers can work well or a
small lawn.n Underground sprinklers attached to a
controller will water a large or small area
more precisely.
Annuals and perennials (b)n Overhead watering may cause fowers to
droop or spotting on petals; certain
species are more subject to disease i not
careully watered.n Underground sprinklers with pop-up
risers work in extensive fower beds. Risers
should be tall enough that oliage doesnt
block spray.
n Choose drip-emitter lines or beds withclosely spaced plants, individual emitters
or widely spaced plants.
Vegetables(C)n Hand-water with basins and urrows.n Use soaker hoses on fat ground.n Install a low-volume system with emitter
line or closely spaced plants, individual
emitters or widely spaced vegetables.n Position plants with similar watering
needs. Bigger plants need deeper irriga-
tion than small plants or seedlings do.
Plants that are fowering or setting ruit
need more water.
Groundcovers(D)n Use underground sprinklers; select
stationary heads or plantings more than a
oot tall and low-precipitation-rate heads
or groundcovers on a slope.n Drip emitters are suitable or shrubby
groundcovers.n Drip minisprays work well or mass plant-
ings o small groundcovers.
Roses (E)n Soaker hoses work well on level ground.n Underground sprinklers with fat-head
sprayers run early in the day keep leaves
dry, helping to prevent disease.n Drip irrigation with emitter line works
well with closely spaced bushes. Or use
individual emitters or each bush.
Trees and shrubs (F)n Use soil basins to direct water to roots
and avoid runo (see page 15).n Soaker hoses work or occasional deep-
watering o established trees.n Low-volume systems with emitters or
microsprinklers are most ecient, espe-cially on sloping ground.
Natives and drought-adaptedplants (G)n Use ooze-type soaker hoses at low
pressure.n Use low-fow drip with a manual shuto
valve.n Natives and drought-adapted plants
need little to no water ater they are
established.
Container plants (H)n Hand-water gently with a nozzle.n Submerge pots or a hal-hour in tubs o
water to saturate soil.
n Use drip or pots. Water small pots twoto ve minutes several times a day. Big
pots require more water per application
but less requently (see page 21).
Clockwisefromt
opright:SandraLeeReha,ThomasJ.Story,NormanA.Plate,JimM
cCausland,
normana.plate,ThomasJ.Story,No
rmanA.Plate(4)
A
DB
F
B E G
C F H
Irrigation
Choose theprofessionHiring a professinstall an irrigatlike hiring any otcontractor.
nGet several quo
nAsk for client reand contact themsure they were hthe work.
nAsk to see a con
license, certificaance, and proof special irrigation
nMake sure you features you wawhich brands anirrigation equipmcially sprinklers will be used and
nAsk about planhydrozone and hsystem will needchanged or updaings mature.
n If your landscanative plants, mcontractor has edesigning systemthe plants spec
nDiscuss the ma
of irrigation andwhether the potinstaller knows usystems. Here aquestions to ask
What are theklers for the lawsprinkler heads aof 4- to 6-inch pothey be properlyhead-to-head co
Will the systebuilt-in check vapressure-regula
Can the irrigabe tailored for thplantings (hydroyard? What is thwater each zone
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How seasoaffects watPlants use more hot, dry weatherto irrigate more than in spring orwinter in many adont need to waAlso, wind dries faster than still arequire more wawindy weather. Dalso influences wrequirements. Fruntil June 21 (sumsolstice) days growhile from late JDecember 21 (winsolstice), they grThats why in Jul
week of longer, 8your landscape wmore water thanweek of 80 daysber.
As obvious asounds, gardeneforget to adjust acontrollers accorweather and seaGardeners shoulin cool weather, tklers off altogethor during rainy spincrease waterinwindy or hot.
The illustratishows the maximwater needs of soNorthern Califorsprinkler run timminutes column
an application rainches per hour sover a week. It pand dwindles to midwinter.
10
20
30
40
50
Minutes
LawnsStill rmly rooted in backyards across the
West, lawns are responsible or as much
as hal o outdoor residential water use,
and studies show that most are signi-
cantly overwatered.
Mow higher. Set your mower at 2 to 212
inches or bluegrass, 2 to 3 inches or tall
escue, and 1 inch or warm-season
grasses such as Bermuda and zoysia.
Check evapotranspiration (ET) guidelines
with your water department. Many lawnscan stay partially green at even hal o the
recommended rates. Adjust watering
times according to the seasons.
Know your sprinkler system. To nd out
how much water your sprinklers apply,
place ve straight-sided cans or cups
(more cups will give a better reading)
randomly on your lawn. Run the sprinklers
Its natural towant a lawn i yourhousehold includesactive kids. But
choose the rightgrass and keep thelawn small andwell managed tominimize water use.
froml
eft:NormanA.Plate,StevenA
.Gunther
How to managethirsty plantsAnnuals, vegetables, roses,and lawns usually need a lotof watering. Here are ways
to save water but also havea better-looking lawn andhealthier plants
AnnualsUse less-thirsty types. Arican daisies,
Caliornia poppies, celosia, creeping
zinnia, cosmos, dwar morning glories,
gaillardia, marigolds, nicotiana, petunias,
portulaca, salvia, snow-on-the-mountain,
verbena, and vinca can all get by on less
water than most other annuals can.
Plant only or visual impact. Limit plant-
ings to areas where theyll be seen up
close, such as near entryways or around
patios and decks.
Start with small plants, or sow seeds.These will develop more extensive root
systems than larger plants, using less
water over the long haul.
Plant in part shade. Particularly in
inland areas, provide shade rom hot
late-aternoon sun.
Work the seasons. Plant when the weather
is ideal or quick establishment (in most
cases, all is the ideal time to plant). For
planting times, see theSunset Western
Garden Book.
Group plants close enough that mature
plants will completely shade the soil.
VegetablesWhenever possible, start plants rom
seed. These plants usually develop stron-ger and deeper roots.
Buy small transplants. Avoid seedlings
that are obviously rootbound.
Try heirloom varieties. These include
Anasazi beans, which are well adapted to
hot, dry climates.
Time planting to let vegetables get well
established beore warm weather. For
Irrigation
or 15 minutes, then measure the water in
each cup. For example, i1/4 inch o water
collects in 15 minutes, your sprinklers
deliver 1 inch an hour. I necessary, make
adjustments. Also watch sprinklers run,
and x leaks, clogs, obstructions, and
broken heads.
Cut back on ertilizer. Too much nitrogen
encourages water-thirsty new growth.
Water or short intervals. This way, the soil
can absorb the moisture without wasteul
runo.Switch to low-volume sprinklers. These
apply water at a rate slow enough or the
soil to absorb.
Increase water penetration. Use a power
aerator (available in rental yards); this also
reduces thatch and runo.
Reduce irrigation in shady areas. Stretch
the time between irrigations.
During drought or water shortages, let the
lawn go dry. Many lawn grasses, including
Bermuda, tall escue, and zoysia, will
green up when they can be watered again.
Otherwise, you can always replant.
Replace dicult-to-water narrow strips o
lawn or grass growing on slopes with less
thirsty groundcovers. Choices include
Coprosma kirkii (Sunset climate zones 1417,
2124); dwar coyote brush (Baccharis
pilularis, zones 79, 11, 1424); star jasmine
(Trachelo spermum jasminoides, zones 89,11, 1324); and trailing Arican daisy (Osteo-
spermum ruticosum, zones 89, 1324).
Switch to drought-tolerant grass, such as
tall escue or hybrid Bermuda. Or better
yet, plant a locally native, low-water
grass. Choices vary by region, but might
include Pacic hair grass, creeping red
escue, or bualo grass.
planting times, check the Sunset Western
Garden Book.
Plant in urrows. Dig urrows 6 to 8 inches
deep, then sow or plant in the bottom o
the trench, not on the sides or top o the
urrow.
Build basins around vegetables that need
wide spacingsquash, melons, andtomatoes.
Plant tomato seedlings deep. Leave just
the top two leaves exposed; plants will
develop better root systems.
Plant close together. Space plants so the
oliage will eventually touch; this will
shade the soil and discourage weeds.
Plant early-ripening varieties. They will
need ewer irrigations.
RosesPlant bare-root. Winter planting gives
bare-root roses plenty o time to get
established beore hot weather.
Cut back on watering ater spring bloom.
Many established rosesespecially oldshrub and species kindscan get by on
surprisingly little water.
Mulch heavily. Use at least 3 inches o
organic matter; replenish oten.
Remove suckers. Wait until next winter to
do other pruning.
Dont deadhead. Let hips develop to
suppress growth.
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FromL
eft:RobD.Brodman,E.Spence
rtoy
Mulch: more than a pretty faceSix of our favorites, plus the basics you need to know
StrawLight, loose option letswater pass through easily;good around vegetableand strawberry beds. Buyat livestock-eed stores.
Dont use hay, which hasseed heads that maygerminate into weeds.Apply 45 inches.
Decomposed
granite (DG)Compacts quickly anddoesnt tend to blowaway. Especially attractivein Southwestern anddesert landscapes, but canbe prone to weeds. Apply12 inches.
TumbledglassPricey ($3$7 a pound ormore), so used mainly to
add color and punch tosmall areas.
Cut barkMade rom dierent typeso wood based on whereyou live; a good all-purpose choice. The minisize shown here giveslandscapes a polishedlook. Apply small size 23inches; larger, 45 inches.
ShreddedbarkSlow to decompose, witha more woodsy, naturallook than cut bark.Irregular bits andshredded pieces knittogether so it stays inplace. Useul on slopesand in windy areas. Apply2 inches.
HazelnuthullsGood or general use andideal or paths becausehulls let water througheasily and dont stick toshoes. Most readilyavailable in and aroundOregons Willamette
Valley. Apply 23 inches.
Add mulch andsave waterQ&A: the basicsNo matter what condition your garden is
in, adding a layer o mulch will give it a
clean, reshly planted look. But the bene-ts o mulch are not just cosmetic. Mulch-
ing is one o the best ways to maintain soil
moisture (and to save on your water bill),
insulate roots rom both heat and cold,
and minimize the need to weed.
Depending on your garden situation,
many materials can make great mulches.
At let is a sampling o our avorites, which
are widely available in bags or in bulk rom
nurseries and landscape supply centers.
Heres what you need to know to get
started.
Q: What exactly is mulch?
A: Generally speaking, mulch is any mate-
rial that protects soil surace and allows
air and water through. Mulch is u seul
over an area o bare soil and aroundplanted areas. Organic mulches (derived
rom plant material) add nutrients over
time and enrich overall soil composition,
so theyre hard to beat. Compost, aged
manure, raked leaves, pine needles, and
thin layers o lawn clippings (as long as
theyre herbicide- and pesticide-ree) all
work or various situations. You can also
opt or an inorganic mulch such as gravel,
granite, or stone.
Q: Will manure burn my plants?
A: It can burn the roots o your plants i its
not well composted, so look or bag labels
that specically say well-composted
manure. Be sure to ask your supplier i
you are purchasing in bulk.
Q: How much should I buy?A: Determine the square ootage you want
to cover and use the ollowing as a gui de:
A 2-cubic-oot bag covers an area o 8
square eet to 3 inches deep; 1 cubic yard o
mulch covers an area o 108 square eet to
3 inches deep.
Q: How thickly should I apply the mulch?
A: In general, the denser the mulch parti-
cles, the less you need.Q: Any application tips?
A: Spread mulch to the appropriate thick-
ness, taking care to keep it a ew inches
away rom tree trunks and the crowns and
stems o plants. I placed too closely,
mulch can retain moisture and cause
plants and trees to rot.
Q: How can I keep my mulch clean?
A: Inevitably, leaves and other debris will
all on your mulch. You can remove litter
with a small hand rake. Some people use
blowers, but lighter mulches may blow
away along with unwanted material.
Q: When should I mulch?
A: At least once a year in early spring
beore weeds sprout. You can also add a
second layer as a top dressing in late all.Q: When do I remove it?
A: You can leave mulch in place inde-
nitely. Just scrape it aside i you want to
plant in a mulched area.
Q: Whats the best way to mulch container
plants?
A: Use the same depth and application
technique as or mulching on the ground.
Savings
How a water metercan track water useYour water meter can tell you how muare using during a given time period, ayou monitor the amount of water you and outdoors on a daily basis. It can afigure out how much water each appliand whether theres a leak inside or ohouse. But first youll need to learn tometer.
How to read your water mMost water meters are located in in-gconcrete boxes toward the street curexpose the gauge, remove the cover athe meters cap.
Straight reading meters (the simplcommon type) can tell you how muchyoure using in a given period. Simplyfigures shown on one day and then aweek later, and subtract the original the new reading. To convert cubic feemultiply by 7.48. Using the same protest the amount of water used to tak
irrigate your garden. Turn off all wateoutside the house, read the meter, thklers; take a new reading.
Many new water meters, includingpictured, come with a leak detectortriangle in the center of the meter thawhen any amount of water is used. Ifrotates even when all the water is turtheres a leak somewhere.
If your meter is of a different style fmentioned here, call your water agenreading it.
How your meter can help ycheck for leaksTo check for leaks, turn off all water f(including your ice maker). If your mehave a leak detector, it will have a swRecord the meter reading or mark thposition with a pencil or piece of tapewater off. Wait at least 15 to 30 minut
leaks have a cycle).Reread the meter gauge to determ
water has been used. If a leak is deteculprits are toilets and irrigation syst
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28 Sunset Easy Water-Wise Gar
ClockwisefromF
arleft:CamilleNo
rdgren(2),Robd.Brodman,JimM
cCausland(2)
Plant a rain gardenWhen rain alls in Seattle, homeowner Lyn
Dillman smiles: Water that used to run
down the street now pools in a thickly
planted inltration basin at the gardens
edge, where it percolates into the ground-
water below. Its a win-win situation,
THE WATER SPILLSFROM THE PIPE
INTO A PLANTEDINFILTRATION
BASIN.
THE PIPERUNS THE
LENGTHOF THE
CHANNELAND UNDER
A PERME-ABLE PATH.
Savings
INTO A PLASTICCATCH BASIN AT
THE BASE, HIDDENBENEATH RIVER
ROCKS.
FIRST, ACOPPER
RAINCHAIN
CHANNELSRAINWATERFROM THEROOF
THE WATER MOVESTHROUGH A
hidden 4-INCH-WIDE FLEXIBLE
PLASTIC PIPE.
Storing up ona rainy dayFour ways to harvest andstore precious rainwater
says landscape designer Malissa Gatton.
The garden helps reduce this households
environmental ootprint. Anybody could
do it.
I you have soil that drains well, a rain
garden is a satisying way to take advan-
tage o a ree natural resource. Channel
rainwater rom the roo into a shallowly
buried pipe that empties into an inltra-
tion basin or swale at least 10 eet away
rom your house, where it can replenish
groundwater. Grow water-tolerant plants
such as shrub willows in the basin.
DESIGNMalissa Gatton (inharmony.com)
INSTALL A RAIN BARRELRain barrels typically hold about 50 to 60 gallons eachenough to
irrigate houseplants or pots on the deck. The best type is made orecycled ood-grade plastic (or use a recycled wine barrel like the one
pictured), with an intake line, spigot, overfow attachment, screen
cover to keep out leaves, a nd removable solid cover. Position the
barrel beneath a downspout; to keep the rainwater pure, remove the
solid cover an hour or two ater rainall has washed pollen and other
pollutants o the roo. Rain barrels cost about $100 to $150 each.
ADD A CISTERNAn inch o rain puts about 600 gallons
o water atop a 1,000-square-oot
house. Rain gutters capture it; rom a
downspout, you can direct it into a
cistern to help water your garden. At
Islandwood Environmental Learning
Center on Bainbridge Island, Washing-
ton, three steel cisterns store rainwaterrom a nearby roo. By the time vegeta-
bles start growing in spring, the tanks
are ull and the water travels through a
gravity-ed drip system to irrigate crops.
INFO Pictured cisterns are rom Texas
Metal Cisterns ($380 or 200-gallon size
to $1,070 or 1,200-gallon size; texas
metalcisterns.net).
Hang a rain chainRain chains replace downspouts.
The 81/2-oot chain pictured
spills into a 16-inch-diameter
bowl (it attaches to the bowl so
it wont whip in the wind). Thewater then overfows slowly
into a rock-covered catch basin.
INFO Copper Bells rain chain
($169) and hammered-copper
dish($45; rainchains.com)
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AnnieBissett
Putting it alltogetherEleven elements of a water-conserving landscapeWhen winter rains come, it may be tempt-
ing to dream o planting large lawns andlush fower beds. Yet many regions o the
West receive less than 10 inches o rai n per
year, and periods o drought are part o the
Wests natural cycle. Keeping the big
picture in mind can help you make smart
landscaping decisions. Any o the land-
scape eatures described here can result in
substantial water savings.
Savings
PERMEABLE DRIVEWAYUse decomposed granite or paverswith spaces between; this allowsrainwater to pass into the soil, rather
than running o down the street
DROUGHT-TOLERANTGROUNDCOVERFor areas that dont get oot traic,choose unthirsty groundcovers suchas Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, CarmelCreeper ceanothus, low-growing
junipers, or creeping thyme
RAIN-HARVESTINGSYSTEMChannel rainwater rom your homesdownspout into a subsuracecatchment basin where it canreplenish the groundwater
PLANTS GROUPED BYWATER NEEDSPlace thirstier plants together anddrought-resistant plants elsewhere.Then put plants that need regular
water on separate irrigation systemsand schedules
how to fightdroughtWhen drought comes, and with it the possibilityof local bans on lawn watering or punishinghikes in water bills, what can you do? Its toolate at that point to install a water-conservinglandscape, since even drought-tolerant plantsneed water to get established. But you can takesteps to save the plants you have.
Save established trees and shrubs irst Theseare costly to replace and have the greatestimpact on your landscape. (A lawn can bereplaced in an afternoon from sod, but a70-foot-tall redwood can take 20 years or moreto replace.) Landscape trees such as ash, birch,poplar (riparian trees that in nature grow nearwater), alder, coast redwood, magnolia, andJapanese maple are often the first plants toshow signs of drought stress. Weakened treeslike Monterey pine may not die directly fromdrought but invite borers, which can finish them.
Give the trees a deep irrigation in late springand theyll be far better equipped to withstanddrought. The roots of various plants grow todifferent depths; the trick is to apply justenough water to moisten the roots withoutgoing beyond. Most tree roots are located inthe top 2 feet of soil. The drip line of a tree orshrub runs around the perimeter of the canopyand virtually outlines the root zone on theground below. Once you identify the root zone,focus your resources on that area. To increasewater penetration before watering, drill 1-inchholes 1 to 2 feet deep every few feet around thedrip line and fill them with organic mulch, oruse a spade or pitchfork to rough up the soilsurface. If the soil is dry at a depth of 10 to 12inches (check it with a sampling tube), moistenthe soil 18 to 24 inches deep.
Coil soaker hoses around the tree at the dripline and halfway between the drip line and thetrunk; apply mulch over the root area, thenallow hoses to run slowly ov ernight. For mostbig trees, youll need about 10 gallons of waterper inch of trunk diameter; riparian trees needtwice that amount.
Reduce lawn watering To stay green allsummer, lawns need 1 to 2 inches of water perweek. Turn on the sprinklers for about 10 minutesonce a week, turn them off to let moisture soakin, then turn them on again for another few
minutes. Or cut back to 1 inch of water everytwo weeks; under this regimen, lawns turnstraw-colored and go semidormant but bounceback quickly after weather cools in fall. Also,mow high and keep the mower blades sharp.Dont overfertilize; too much nitrogen encour-ages the production of thirsty new growth.
Water landscape plants near lawgrowing in or near a well-watereddependent on that irrigation. If lais abruptly cut off, those plants wneed supplemental water.
Monitor shallow-rooted shrubs Orhododendrons, and young camelwilting or drooping of new growtharound them (make sure water wagainst the trunks), and give them
in April with clear water (soapy wrhododendrons, can cause leaf bu
Mulch It bears repeating: A layer helps keep moisture in the soil (seThe best mulches (bark chips, for dont compact easily, but allow suand water to reach plant roots.
Irrigate ruit trees Most stone-frsurvive some drought, although tsmaller fruits, and fewer flower buBut theyll be better off with a deeApril and again in June. (Citrus mational deep watering in summer; wing, yellowing, or curling leaves.)
Apply water slowly and deeplyline with soaker hoses as describetrees; or make a basin 4 to 6 incheeach tree, extend it to the drip linebeyond if you can spare more wata hose to fill the basin slowly.
Cover swimming pools A good pr
when water use is unrestricted, counused swimming pool during timis especially important. A pool cov90 percent of water evaporation wallowing for times when the pool Many styles and materials are avaing translucent air-cell plastic typswimming-pool supply stores. To dents, entirely remove any cover bing into the water.
LOW-WATER TURFI you must have a patch o lawn,keep it small and choose a nativegrass thats appropriate or yourregion. Examples: Blue grama,bualo grass (desert areas),Creeping red escue, Paciic hair grass(Deschampsia cespitosa holciformis)
TOUGH SHRUBSFill borders or spaces along ences withundemanding, low-water beauties suchas chuparosa, lavender, rosemary, orsmoke bush (Cotinus coggygria)
SHADE TREES ON THEWEST SIDE OF THE HOUSEChoose deciduous types that shadeand cool the house during summer,then drop their leaves to allow insunlight during winter. Unthirstychoices or mild climates includeChinese pistache and honey locust
IRRIGATIONCONTROLLERInstall an automatic controller toschedule irrigation times. Resetprograms seasonally and aterpower outages
PAVERS WITH SPACERSAND UNTHIRSTY PLANTSFor patio suraces, opt or paverssuch as lagstones or recycledconcrete pieces. Grow unthirstyplants such as creeping thyme orsnow-in-summer in spaces between
DRIP-IRRIGATED RAISEDBEDS FOR VEGETABLESUse drip tubing or soaker hoses inraised beds; they put irrigation waterright where plants need it, with noruno or waste
COMPOST BINInstall a bin to turn your gardensbrown plant waste into deep richcompost. Dig inished compost intothe soil to improve the soils water-absorbing capability