If you live in an area where desert landscaping is a necessity, you
may only see large lawns at the golf course. Cities and counties that
discourage those lawns and some will even pay you to remove them when
the sole purpose is to conserve water.
Water is a valuable asset and a green lawn is not
even a necessity. If you live in an area that is experiencing a drought
it will be worth your effort to contact a landscape professional. They
know the area, and know which plants are indigenous and you will easily
be able to maintain them in a natural environment.
There are
many ways to conserve and many ways where your plants will thrive in
sandy soil. When you add heat and wind to that mix the need increases
for you to find the correct balance between nature and your water bill.
Hedges and natural plants like cactus and yucca will be an added
benefit because they do not need a great deal of water, and many
flowering plants like lilies and poppies fall in that category as well.
Often you can plant the flowers in planters where the water is absorbed
directly onto the roots with no waste.
Another way to beat the heat and water consumption is to have the landscape
professional install timed irrigation drip systems. They only water at
precise times, like early morning or evenings and you have no runoff and
no evaporation in the heat of the day.
Stone pathways surrounded with those indigenous plants create beautiful
yards with perennials like oleander, bougainvillea and even juniper.
Install small window planters inside or out that conserve as well and
you still have the benefit of beautiful living flowers in your dry
waterless space.
A few basic options you need to follow in order
to sustain the long summer months will be to water in the early morning
or late afternoon after the sun has retreated. Try to check to see if
your plants even need water by checking the soil. Some plants only need
watering weekly especially in the fall and winter months. Others go
dormant in those months and need no water.
If you have a great
deal of concrete for walkways or driveways, remember those areas reflect
the heat instead of absorbing it. It’s actually hotter in those areas,
and may even raise the temperature around your home. A little common
sense goes a long way and when you hire a professional landscaper you’ll
be dollars ahead.
