Select plants that require less water such as natives, sedums, succulents, and ornamental grasses. Choose drought-resistant or drought-tolerant plants. You may wish to add perlite, vermiculite, or lava rock (to help with aeration at the root zone) if planting cactus or succulents, but best to plant these in a mounded area. Use organic matter such as compost, decomposed leaves, manure, or a combination. Amended soil retains moisture better and captures rainwater, while poor compacted soil allows water to run off the surface. Amend soil.ĭepending on what you are planting, you may want to amend your soil. For a more elaborate plan, or for difficult sites such as a slope, you may want to hire a landscape design professional. Look to online and local sources for inspiration and create a rough sketch. There will be different conditions occurring in different parts of the yard, with dry, wetter, and transitional zones. Observe how the light falls in different seasons.
#SLOPE LANDSCAPE DESIGN IDEAS HOW TO#
HOW TO CREATE A DROUGHT-TOLERANT LANDSCAPE Evaluate your site.Ĭonsider environmental factors such as light, soil, temperature, and humidity to determine what plants would be suitable for your landscape. Some regions experience cool wet winters and warm dry summers, a mixed humidity climate best described as Mediterranean. For rainy humid climates, evaporation is slower. Humidity.Įvaporation occurs more quickly in deserts and other regions with low air humidity, causing soil to dry out faster.
#SLOPE LANDSCAPE DESIGN IDEAS FULL#
Areas with partial or full shade will be cooler, staying wetter for longer. Light.įull sun will make an area hotter, causing water to evaporate more quickly. While some drought-resistant plants prefer rich soil that’s amended with compost or other organic matter, others such as cacti and succulents prefer leaner soil. What kind of soil do you have? Sand, clay, rock, or loam? Some soils allow water to drain quickly, while others retain moisture. Here are some factors to consider with drought-tolerant landscaping: Climate.ĭo you live in a hot dry climate? Or a climate that is cold and wet? A combination of both, depending on the season? Determine your USDA zone and average annual rainfall, which will help you choose what plants will work best in your area. DROUGHT-TOLERANT LANDSCAPING CONSIDERATIONS These include prairie plants such as coneflower, blazing star, and black-eyed Susan, along with other regional native trees, shrubs, and perennials. Drought-resistant landscaping involves using plants that can survive extended periods of dry weather, but do best with moderate or regular water. These include cacti and other desert plants. Drought-tolerant landscaping utilizes plants that have adapted through evolution to thrive with minimal water. Though these terms are used interchangeably, there is a difference. Here are some tips and ideas to get you started. Whether you live in the desert or a climate that receives more rainfall, there are many ways you can reduce usage or conserve water in your yard. Some communities have instituted restrictions on water use and the type of plants that can be grown.
Climate change has contributed to the problem, with more regions experiencing intermittent or long-term droughts.Ĭreating landscapes that use less water, also known as xeriscaping, is becoming more common and imperative. Water conservation has become a bigger issue in recent years due to increased demand and expense. Drought-tolerant landscaping is not just for arid climates.
0 kommentar(er)
