Developing a Water Wise Landscape In cooperation with

Facts About Water We have the same amount of water on earth today as we did when the earth was created. We have the same amount of water on earth today as we did when the earth was created. Of all the earths water, 97% is salt water located in the oceans and seas. Of all the earths water, 97% is salt water located in the oceans and seas. 2% of the earths water is tied up in polar ice caps. 2% of the earths water is tied up in polar ice caps. Only 1% of the earths water is fresh water available for drinking, bathing, and cooking. Only 1% of the earths water is fresh water available for drinking, bathing, and cooking.

Facts About Water We only need about 15 gallons of water per day per person for drinking, bathing, and cooking, yet per capita water consumption in the U.S. exceeds 100 gallons/day. We only need about 15 gallons of water per day per person for drinking, bathing, and cooking, yet per capita water consumption in the U.S. exceeds 100 gallons/day. If every household in the U.S. saved just If every household in the U.S. saved just 1 gallon of water a day, we would save gallon of water a day, we would save 120 million gallons of water per day, enough million gallons of water per day, enough water for a city the size of Jacksonville, FL. water for a city the size of Jacksonville, FL.

Global Demand for fresh water will double every 20 years Worldwide

Challenge – Serving GAs Growing Urban Population GAs Population 2001 – 8.4 million 2005 – 9.1 million 2010 – 9.9 million 2015 – 10.8 million Over half of Georgias population resides in 12 counties. Two-thirds of Georgias population resides in 26 of its 159 counties. 21 counties have populations over 100,000.

Average residential water use increases 30% - 50% during the summer months when citizens turn on their outdoor irrigation systems

One portable lawn sprinkler operating for 1 hour uses 360 gallons of water This is equivalent to: This is equivalent to: 72 flushes of the toilet 9 full loads of laundry 14 five-minute showers 26 runs of the dishwasher

Water Conservation Measures Summer Surcharge: Rate increases 25% to 100% when use exceeds average winter consumption. Summer Surcharge: Rate increases 25% to 100% when use exceeds average winter consumption. Restrictions: Odd/Even outdoor wateri Restrictions: Odd/Even outdoor wateri Bans on Outdoor Water Use Bans on Outdoor Water Use EDUCATION EDUCATION

Permanent Georgia State-Wide Watering Restrictions Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but not between 10 am and 4 pm Odd-numbered addresses may water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, but not between 10 am and 4 pm Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, but not between 10 am and 4 pm Even-numbered and unnumbered addresses may water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, but not between 10 am and 4 pm No one may water on Fridays. No one may water on Fridays.

Goal of Water Wise Landscapes To reduce and minimize the size of the area irrigated and the frequency of irrigation

Coined in Colorado in 1981 From the Greek Word Xeros, which means dry (PronouncedZera-scape)

Seven Steps of Xeriscape Planning and Design Planning and Design Soil Analysis Soil Analysis Appropriate Plant Selection Appropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf Areas Practical Turf Areas Efficient Irrigation Efficient Irrigation Use of Mulches Use of Mulches Appropriate Maintenance Appropriate Maintenance

Seven Steps of Xeriscape

Divide the Landscape into Three Water-use Zones High Water-use Zones (Oasis Zones) High Water-use Zones (Oasis Zones) Moderate Water-use Zones (Transition Zones) Moderate Water-use Zones (Transition Zones) Low Water-use Zones (Xeric Zones) Low Water-use Zones (Xeric Zones)

High Water-use Zone (Oasis Zone) Small high-impact or high visibility area of the landscape where plants are provided their optimum water requirement at all time Entrance to the home or business

Moderate Water-use Zone (Transition Zone) Plants are watered during establishment. Once established, they are watered only when they show signs of water stress. Azaleas, dogwoods, redbuds, herbaceous perennials

Low Water-use Zone (Xeric Zone) Low Water-use Zone (Xeric Zone) Once established, plants are provided no supplemental irrigation, except during periods of extreme drought Juniper Crape Myrtle Yaupon Holly Oaks Native Areas

10% of the landscape is irrigated regularly 30% of the landscape is irrigated on demand 60% of the landscape is not irrigated

Shade helps reduce water loss in the landscape

House Driveway Street Fatsia Azaleas Little Gem Magnolia Native Trees Spirea Native Oak Nandina Turfgrass N

High Water-use Zone ModerateLow

Annuals Ornamental Grasses Daffodils/Siberian Iris/Daylilies Pinestraw Year 1

High Water-use Zone Low Moderate High Year 1

Hybrid Bermuda Liriope Mulch Year 2

Moderate Water-use Zone Low Moderate Low Moderate High Low Year 2

Seven Steps of Xeriscape

Dont Guess…Soil Test!

Use only decomposed organic material (right) as a soil amendment

More plants are killed in Georgia from over-watering than from drought

Plant on raised beds Plant on raised beds Deep cultivation Deep cultivation Install sub-surface drainage Install sub-surface drainage Select appropriate plants Select appropriate plants Possible Solutions to Poorly-drained Soils

Seven Steps of Xeriscape

Select Plants Adapted to the Site and the Stresses of the Environment Drought tolerance is important, but also consider potential insect and disease problems, sunlight and soil requirements.

Red-tip Photinia

Hosta Japanese Pachysandra Azalea Lenten Rose Mondograss Liriope Shade

Zebra Grass Sun Coleus Purple Passion Mexican Heather Sun

Little Gem Magnolia (Magnolia grandiflora Little Gem Chastetree (Vitex agnus-castus) Chinese Pistache Hollies Japanese Zelkova Lacebark Elm Trident Maple Crape Myrtle Trees

Spirea Dwarf Yaupon Holly AucubaBarberry Chinese Holly Forsythia (Forsythia intermedia) Maidengrass (Miscanthus sinensis) Shrubs / Ornamental Grasses

Asiatic Jasmine Daylily St. Johns Wort Carolina Jessamine WintercreeperEuonymus Blue Rug Juniper (Juniperus horizontalis Blue Rug) Liriope (Liriope muscari) Ground Covers/Vines

Wormwood Artemisia Powis Castle Gaura Black-eyed Susan Russian Sage Red Hot Poker RosemaryAgave Herbaceous Perennials Sedum Autumn Joy

Babys Breath Verbena Annual Periwinkle Globe Amaranth (Gomphrena globosa) Creeping Zinnia (Zinnia linearis) Annuals Dusty Miller GazaniaPortulaca

Drought Tolerance of Turfgrasses Hybrid Bermuda ZoysiaCentipedeFescue Most Least

Plants Dont Save Water People Save Water !

Seven Steps of Xeriscape

Use Turfgrass for a Purpose Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat) Aesthetic Value (Welcome Mat) Recreational Surface Recreational Surface Erosion Control Erosion Control Minimize the amount of irrigated turfgrass

Avoid Using Irrigated Turfgrass Just to Fill Space

Seven Steps of Xeriscape

For most efficient use of water, irrigate at night to avoid evaporative loss of water. Avoid light, frequent irrigation because it encourages shallow rooting and increases water demand of the plant.

Target irrigation to plants that show signs of stress Gray/green Color Gray/green Color Wilting Wilting Dying Branches Dying Branches Use a hand-held hose with water nozzle or a sprinkler can to target irrigation to plants that need water.

Drip Irrigation Uses 30% to 50% less water than sprinkler irrigation Avoids spraying foliage so diseases are less likely to occur No spray drift Only need to water 25% of the root area

Seven Steps of Xeriscape

Benefits of Mulch Prevents evaporative water loss from the soil Prevents evaporative water loss from the soil Prevents soil-borne diseases Prevents soil-borne diseases Insulates the roots of plants from extreme heat and cold Insulates the roots of plants from extreme heat and cold Reduces weed competition Reduces weed competition

Best Mulch OrganicFine-texturedNon-matting

How Much Mulch To Apply? 3 to 5 inches deep is sufficient 1 bale of pine straw covers approximately 50 sq. ft.

Newspaper placed under mulch, 2- to 3-sheets thick, helps provide an added barrier to moisture loss.

Seven Steps of Xeriscape

Avoid Frequent Spurts of Vegetative Growth Brought on by: Fertilization Fertilization Pruning Pruning Irrigation Irrigation

Fertilization Target fertilization to plants that need it. Established trees and shrubs may not need to be fertilized annually. Target fertilization to plants that need it. Established trees and shrubs may not need to be fertilized annually. Use slow-release forms of nitrogen (Urea formaldehyde, IBDU, Sulfur-coated urea) Use slow-release forms of nitrogen (Urea formaldehyde, IBDU, Sulfur-coated urea) Use low rates of fertilizer. Use low rates of fertilizer. Limit fertilization during dry periods. Limit fertilization during dry periods.

Prune by selective thinning instead of shearing

Grasscycling Let the Clips Fall Where they May ClippingsAdd Nitrogen NitrogenBack to the Soil Clippings Help Hold Moisture in the soil Clippings DO NOT Cause Thatch

Seven Steps of Xeriscape Planning and Design Planning and Design Soil Analysis Soil Analysis Appropriate Plant Selection Appropriate Plant Selection Practical Turf Areas Practical Turf Areas Efficient Irrigation Efficient Irrigation Use of Mulches Use of Mulches Appropriate Maintenance Appropriate Maintenance

For Additional Information on Water-wise Landscapes Contact your local county Extension office Contact your local county Extension office Visit a local garden center Visit a local garden center Go to Go to Visit the UGA Extension Service web site: Click on Publications: Visit the UGA Extension Service web site: Click on Publications: Coping with Watering Restrictions in the Landscape Coping with Watering Restrictions in the Landscape Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a Water Wise Landscape Xeriscape: A Guide to Developing a Water Wise Landscape Landscape Plants for Georgia Landscape Plants for Georgia Lawns in Georgia Lawns in Georgia

Try these 5 to help them thrive! 1. Water only once a week, in the absence of rain. 2. Soak, don't sprinkle. 3. Don't water in the heat of the day. 4. Turn off sprinkler systems when it rains. 5. Mulch!

Make Every Drop Count !

Author: Gary L. Wade, Ph.D. Extension Horticulturist University of Georgia, Department of Horticulture The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences