While San Diego is a beautifully landscaped city, it is important to remember that often drought risk and the need to conserve water are high. With restrictions on water use, how can you maintain a beautiful landscape design without a plentiful source of water?
Creative landscaping can help you conserve water. When the supply of water is limited, you must be creative in your landscaping with the aim of developing ideas that will conserve or reduce the use of water.
First, it is crucial to conduct a site analysis on the area you wish to landscape. This is done to determine how elements of the landscape are affected by sunlight, shade, wind, rainfall, and topography, assess existing vegetation, and determine soil type.
It is a good idea to start with what you have. If you have large trees which provide shade, utilize these for shaded plants and seating areas. When planting new vegetation, consider using native drought-tolerant species of plants. These plants are native to your environment, and have adapted well to it; thus, they can survive in drought months while other, non-native plants may suffer or die.
No matter the type of plant you use, it is important to match the plant’s water requirements with the soil’s moisture-holding capacity. Drought-tolerant plants require drier soil than those that are moisture-loving. Plants that are more water-loving should be placed in the shade, where the soil better retains moisture. Mulching planting beds is another useful addition to aid in conserving soil moisture and controlling competitive weeds.
For water conservation, it is important to limit the lawn area in your landscape. If planting a lawn area, utilize drought-tolerant turf mixes, mulch, or other drought-tolerant ground covers. Open areas may also be used as patios or walkways, complete with decorative brick, wood, or stone pavers. This allows you to enjoy your yard while putting out plants in containers, which are much easier to monitor for water use.
For your least desirable planting areas, utilize the space for storage, trash containers, or compost piles.
Determining which types of plants and where to plant them can be a difficult task. If you need help determining the best plants and design for your landscape, utilize the services of experienced landscapers at Juniper Landscape Company in San Diego. With over 40 years of landscaping experience, Juniper Landscape Company can help you determine the right look, vegetation, features, and implementation for your landscaping design. If you wish to re-design your landscape, possibly incorporating drought-resistant plants, contact the professionals at Juniper Landscape Company for help.