Saving Water in the Yard

By Timothy Kilgallon

This year’s drought has refocused the conversation about drinking water to include not only the quality of our water but also the quantity of our water. The current focus on water conservation is, however, mandated not just this year but every year. The constant development of additional land in Westchester is creating demand that cannot unchecked be met by our watershed; the watershed, unlike the population and continuing development, is fixed. It cannot expand as new houses go up.

Throughout the country the papers report controversies over water rights, even in areas with heavy rain fall, as water supply is increasingly a commodity that cannot be taken for granted. As many have said, the battle for precious resources in the future will be over water not oil. Conversations at trade meetings with landscapers from other parts of the country sensitized us to the need to begin to employ low water practices here to assure an adequate water supply. Therefore we at CSI Landscaping have turned to encouraging our customers to allow us to employ xeriscape or low water gardening techniques in their yards and business premises. These techniques not only conserve water but also reduce water bills as less water is consumed. This time of year is a good time for everyone to review their yard water usage and look for improvements.

Xeriscape gardening
Xeriscape, as a low water landscape is called, is an attractive permanent landscape that is able to withstand little water. Creating and maintaining a low water usage landscape can be done in virtually any terrain, as such a garden can be adapted to suit the individual conditions of the region. Contrary to what many may believe, a xeriscape garden need not be composed of cactuses and rock gardens. In Westchester a pleasant mix of perennials, flowering bushes and trees, lawn grasses and concentrated annuals can be arranged to create a most pleasing landscape that does not require the level of water now typically used. Xeriscape landscaping incorporates seven basic principles:

Plan and Design
A landscape design created with water efficiency in mind is essential. Gardens should be designed so that plants are grouped by their water needs. Plants that require the most water, such as annuals, are grouped together in one bright bed or placed in pots. Similarly plants that require medium or low amounts of water are grouped together.

Plant Selection
Plants are selected based on their adaptability to the region’s soil and climate and their water demands. Many familiar and well loved species are drought tolerant. The accompanying table provides a list of just some of the low water plants that can be successfully grown in Westchester. Additional suggestions about plants or xeriscape in general can be obtained from us at (914) 723-9522 or from the Cornell Cooperative Extension at (914) 285-4640. The County Parks Department has now developed a list of drought resistant native plants as well and can be reached at (914) 864-7000.

Irrigation
In installing new irrigation systems and working with customers on existing systems, reducing water usage must be a guiding principle. The systems currently in place in most locations waste enormous amounts of water. In designing and redesigning systems, where ever possible, drip irrigation should be installed which slowly applies water to soil, or pop up emitter heads which only water the crown of the plant. Where rain sensors are lacking, as they are in most locations, they should be installed. Sensors can be easily installed for under $100 even on existing sprinkler systems. Separate watering zones for turf and other plantings should be established to be consistent with differing watering needs.

Turf Grass
Turfgrasses generally require more frequent watering and maintenance than most other landscape plants. Reducing the areas devoted to turf grasses is the first step to reduce water demands. Carefully selecting grass seed is also helpful. Grasses should be selected that are able to withstand long dry periods without going dormant. Several excellent choices are available suitable for this area.

Other Steps
Adding organic matter to the soil increases the soil’s ability to absorb and store water in a form available to the plant. Mulches of organic materials such as pine bark, compost and woodchips; or inorganic materials, such as limestone or permeable plastic, conserve water by significantly reducing moisture evaporation from the soil. Mowing grass at the proper height and applying fertilizer to the lawn at the proper time and in the proper amount saves time, effort and money through reduced mowing and watering.

A Xeriscape Demonstration Garden
We are working with the Westchester Joint Water Works (WJWW) to provide a xeriscape demonstration garden using plants suitable to this region at its facility at 1625 Mamaroneck Avenue. The garden will be open to the public starting in mid-June. The garden contains four patches of grasses that are of the slow growth, low water varieties as well as a butterfly garden, a Westchester section that uses native plants, an ornamental grass section and other perennials. Several different low water irrigation methods are being installed.These elements combine both to create an extraordinarily lovely setting and to demonstrate a variety of plantings and techniques to reduce water use. The garden is intended to demonstrate what is possible in every person’s back yard. It is our hope that it will inspire many to design their landscape and employ practices that reduce water usage.

Timothy Kilgallon is the president of CSI Landscaping, Chair of the International Landscape Technician Commission, and is on the board of the Cornell Cooperative Extension.

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