Earth-Kind · Applying fertilizer to the lawn at the proper time and in the proper amount can save...

Earth-Kind Landscaping

Texas AgriLife Extension Service


“A healthy environment starts

in your own backyard.”


"Earth-Kind" focuses on conserving and

protecting natural resources through the

use of environmentally friendly practices.

This can involve everything from proper

landscape water management to the safe

handling and use of pesticides.


Earth-Kind strives to assist clientele in:

• Reducing irrigation water use

• Reducing pesticide use (both chemical and organic)

• Reducing fertilizer misuse to prevent contamination of soils and

surface and groundwater

• Reducing yard wastes entering landfills

• Reducing air and noise pollution with proper landscape practices

Earth-Kind principles

• Planning and design

• Soil analysis and preparation

• Practical turf areas

• Appropriate plant selection

• Efficient irrigation

• Use of mulches

• Appropriate maintenance


Quality landscaping that conserves

water and protects the environment.





http://earthkind.tamu.edu

Accountability in government…AgriLife Extension









• Use of mulches



Water is a critical natural resource

in Texas.

Use of drinking water for

landscape use is a focus of Earth

Kind.

In many urban areas, as much as

25 percent of the water supply is

used for landscape irrigation.


A common statistic for Texas

residential water use is:

The average water use for a

residence in January is 6,000

gallons of water….in July, it is

16,000 gallons.

The difference is landscape

irrigation.


The Human Factor

The Human Factor







• Use of mulches



Planning and design

Creating a water-efficient landscape

begins with a well-thought-out

landscape design.

Consult design professionals when

needed.

Design for low maintenance, energy

and water conservation, and life style.

A landscape design can be

implemented gradually over several

years.


Soil analysis and preparation

A soil test is recommended to

determine existing soil pH and

nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)

levels, plus other nutrients.

Based on this analysis, proper

fertilization can be determined and

applied, if needed.

Fertilizer nutrients, particularly

nitrogen and phosphorus, can pollute

surface and groundwater (N & P) and

contaminate soils (P).


To increase plant health and

conserve water, add organic matter

to soil of shrub and flower beds and

vegetable gardens.

As a rule-of-thumb, till 6 inches of

organic material into landscape beds

and planting areas.

For tree planting, no soil preparation

is recommended.


Appropriate plant selection

Texas has an abundance of beautiful

native plants which are naturally

adapted to the state. Most of these

plants have lower water demands,

fewer pest problems and less fertilizer

needs than many non-adapted plants.

Combining Texas natives with well-

adapted non-natives, is a key to a

beautiful, quality landscape which

conserves water and protects the

environment…non-natives include

crape myrtles, old-fashioned roses,

oleanders, and more.


Earth-Kind Roses – tough, disease-resistant, and beautiful

Belinda’s dream

Caldwell pink

Knock out

Carefree beauty

Mutabilis

Climbing pinkie

Marie Daly

and more…….


Turfgrass selection

It is important to note that

turfgrass is the highest user of

irrigation water in the

landscape, and requires more

frequent maintenance than

most other landscape plants.

To reduce lawn water use,

consider:

Species choice

Lawn size

Management level


Turfgrass selection

• Management level – “brown is a color too”


Hydro-zone the plant selections

Natural rainfall

Occasional watering

Regular watering


Practical turf areas

The easiest way to define this

concept is to define “impractical” turf

areas; long, narrow strips of turf that

are difficult to irrigate and maintain.


Lawn alternatives

• Groundcovers

• Flower and shrub plantings

• Decks and patios

• Vegetable gardens

• Mulched areas


Lawn alternatives – Maybe no lawn at all


Lawn alternatives – Be careful


Efficient irrigation

The greatest waste of water in the

landscape comes from applying too much

too often.

The age-old questions remain:

When to water?

How long?


When to water?

When the lawn shows signs of water stress – foot printing, dull

gray-green appearance.

In flower beds, use an

indicator plant that will

wilt readily due to lack

of water… (periwinkle

or hibiscus)

If in doubt, use your

moisture meter – your

index finger.


How long to water? some may never learn


How long to water? some may not need to


How long to water?

Apply 1 inch of water to the lawn as rapidly as possible without

runoff. Test how long this takes.


Time clocks: a double - edged sword


Zoned irrigation system

Drip irrigation – use it


Hose - end sprinklers


Rainwater harvesting…

back to the future


Use of Mulches

Highest impact, lowest tech water

conservation practice.

Mulch conserves water by

reducing moisture evaporation

from the soil.

Mulch also reduces weed

populations, prevents soil

compaction, and keeps soil

temperatures more moderate.


Appropriate maintenance

An added benefit of an Earth Kind

landscape can be less maintenance.

Follow the six previously described

Earth Kind principles and the seventh

becomes much less difficult and time

consuming.


Irrigation system maintenance

Make sure the sprinkler heads are adjusted

properly to avoid watering sidewalks and

driveways.

Properly adjust sprinkler heads to spray

large droplets of water instead of a fog of

fine mist which is more susceptible to

evaporation and wind drift.


Proper mowing height and timing

Mowing the lawn at the proper height

can reduce mowing frequency and

conserve water.

Cut off no more than 1/3 of the lawn

height at any mowing.


Proper Fertilizing

Applying fertilizer to the lawn at

the proper time and in the proper

amount can save time, effort, and

money through reduced mowing

and watering.

Most important, proper

application of fertilizers reduces

the chance of contaminating soil

and surface and ground water

supplies.


Pest management

Use Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

to properly manage landscape and lawn

pests, including insects, diseases, and

water-demanding weeds.

The goal of IPM is not to eliminate all

pests, but to manage them at acceptable

levels in the lawn and garden.


By following the

guidelines and

practices described,

you can proudly create

your own

Earth Kind landscape.


Earth-Kind…protecting and preserving today’s resources for the future.


Date post:	08-Oct-2020
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Earth-Kind · Applying fertilizer to the lawn at the proper time and in the proper amount can save...

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