Water
Use of Water
Many households use up to 50% of their water usage for yard irrigation. With the growing frequency of droughts and shortages of drinking water, this is not sustainable anymore. Our lawns are the biggest source of unnecessary use of water. If we create better landscapes we will not only lower our need for water, we can actually enable the soil to retain water, to filter water and improve drainage and water quality. The following landscapes are able to do so:
Woodlands
Woodland has a critical ecological function. It creates the greatest possible biomass and biodiversity. It stores carbon and water and it mitigates climate change. If you are able to return or change some of a yard into woodland you should. As a landscaper you can enhance woodland by removing invasives and by planting a variety of woodland shrubs, woodland plants and spring flowering bulbs. Woodland can be enhanced with good pruning techniques, small paths, benches etc. — all great services to offer your clients.
Native Landscapes
Natural meadows, prairie, coastal and mountainous areas, are often characterized by an absence of woodland. Naturally, these areas have developed their own specific plants and shrubs that have had thousand years to use water optimally. These plants are champions in retaining, absorbing and filtering water.
Rain Garden
A rain garden allows rainwater runoff from impervious urban areas, like roofs, driveways, walkways, parking lots, and compacted lawn areas, the opportunity to be absorbed. This reduces rain runoff by allowing stormwater to soak into the ground, as opposed to flowing into storm drains and surface waters, which causes erosion, water pollution, flooding, and diminished groundwater. The purpose of a rain garden is to improve water quality in nearby bodies of water and to ensure that rainwater becomes available for plants as groundwater rather than being sent through stormwater drains straight out to sea. Because plants and soil are very efficient at filtration, rain gardens can cut down on the amount of pollution reaching creeks and streams by up to 30%.
Xeriscape
Xeriscaping is landscaping that reduces the need for water. It is promoted in regions that do not have easily accessible, plentiful, or reliable supplies of water. In some areas, terms as water-conserving landscapes, drought-tolerant landscaping, and smart scaping are used instead. Plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate are emphasized, and care is taken to avoid losing water to evaporation and runoff. The specific plants used in xeriscaping depend upon the climate. The emphasis in xeriscaping is on selection of plants for water conservation, not necessarily selecting native plants.