7 Creative Ways to Save Water While Landscaping

Water conservation is an important part of sustainable landscaping and gardening. Water may be a renewable resource and one of the most common substances on the planet, but it is more often than not in a form we can’t use. Only 2.5% of the Earth’s water is freshwater that we can drink, use in agriculture, clean ourselves and our property, or landscape. With that in mind, if you want to landscape in a way that ensures future generations can as well, you need to save water. 

The experts at Pioneer Landscaping Centers have a few creative ideas for how you can save water while landscaping.

How Important is it to Save Water?

As there are more people around, we need to conserve water resources. Freshwater sources are becoming increasingly scarce despite being a renewable resource. Since landscaping is a luxury that only some properties can accommodate, it’s a good place to conserve water. By learning how to save water now, we can help ensure that future generations have access to adequate amounts of clean drinking water while still enjoying beautiful outdoor spaces. Here are seven ways you can save water.

#1. Drought-Resistant Plants

Choose plants that don't need too much water to survive. There are drought seasons in parts of Arizona and Colorado. If you aren’t planting drought-resistant plants, you are either setting them up to die or using exorbitant amounts of water to keep them healthy. Some examples of drought-resistant and low-maintenance plants include:

• Cacti
• Russian sage
• Lantana
• Lavender
• Agave
• Yucca
• And more!

#2. Use Mulch

Mulch helps keep the soil moist and cool so your soil retains more water and nutrients. It also provides the water with some added protection from the sun’s rays. The more water and nutrients your soil retains, the less you need to water your plants. Some of the water will usually evaporate so you rarely actually see most of the water reach your plants’ roots.

If you’re looking for mulch, the experts at Pioneer Landscape Centers can help you find what you need.

#3. Collect Rainwater 

While it may not help during a drought, having a rain barrel collect rainwater for your plants can go a long way. Rainwater is one of the most common sources of freshwater, so you don’t have to worry about it damaging your plants unless you’re expecting acid rain.

#4. Water Less Often but More Deeply 

Instead of watering your yard every day, give your plants a deep soak once or twice a week so they get enough water that can consume over time. If you’ve taken our advice and added mulch to your yard, this strategy to conserve water works even better. Your plants will retain water to use later if they don’t absorb it immediately.

#5. Use an Irrigation System 

An automated irrigation system can be set up, scheduled, and/or programmed to only water when needed. This way, you can save time and effort without accidentally overwatering or underwatering your plants.

#6. Check for Leaks Regularly 

Several things can cause a leak in your hose. It’s an outdoor source of water that’s constantly dragged across the ground and left exposed to the elements. Make sure to check your hose and any other outdoor faucets for leaks regularly. This is how you make sure you’re not wasting water. Many hoses will still function with a leak, but they work on a delay and leak unused water to the ground.

#7. Plant Native Species 

While many of the plant species in Arizona and Colorado are drought-resistant, this is not a given. There are parts of Arizona and Colorado that don’t experience droughts enough to only have native drought-resistant plants. Also, many plants evolved in this dry environment to thrive in other ways asides from being drought-resistant, so drought-resistance isn’t something a plant needs to be.

Contact the Experts at Pioneer Landscape Center for Assistance in Saving Water

The Earth isn’t going to run out of water, or even freshwater anytime soon. But even if it doesn’t run out, we can make water unusable, or at least unavailable to everyone. If this continues, you might not have the water you need for your landscape later. Save water now with some of our ideas for creating a sustainable landscape on your property. Contact our experts for more information.