Go Green
Gardening is a hobby that many people can enjoy and for a good reason! Landscaping can provide health, environmental, and financial benefits. Even with water restrictions and suburban sprawl, landscape plays a large role in connecting us with nature and the importance of caring for our environment.
- Tree shade on your home can reduce your attic temperature by as much as 40 degrees. They moderate urban “heat islands” caused by widely paved areas, absorb as much as 85% of the sun’s direct heat, and reduce power use by as much as 59%.
- Plants damaged by watering bans could aid to the effects of harsh climate conditions. Plants control runoff and erosion, and decreased runoff means less urban flooding. They also absorb water and return it to aquifers.
- Lawns trap as much as 12 million tons of dust and dirt released annually into the U.S. atmosphere. Other benefits of lawns include absorbing noise and providing outdoor living areas with temperatures around 25 degrees cooler than concrete areas or areas with dead greenery.
- Studies suggest that reduced stress and lowered blood pressure can be achieved by simply looking at plants and trees, even if it is through a window.
Save Water Save Money
Of the 26 billion gallons of water consumed daily in the United States, approximately 7.8 billion gallons, or 30% is devoted to outdoor uses – the majority of this being for irrigation. During the summer, this amount can exceed the amount used throughout the rest of the year. It’s estimated that more than 50 percent of landscape water goes to waste due to evaporation or runoff water caused by over-watering.
Learn how to reduce this number and save yourself some money this pool season.
- Choose climate-appropriate plant species to reduce irrigation water, soil erosion, fertilizers, and pests and disease.
- Plant shrubs, trees, and other vegetation in place of lawns or bare areas. This will control runoff water and reduce global warming by absorbing carbon dioxide and cooling the earth’s surface.
- Invest in water-efficient irrigation systems with sensors to prevent over-watering. Adjust your watering systems to fit each season.
- Over-watering can cause many problems with your lawn and plants including fertilizer releasing into ground water, shallow roots, weed growth, disease, and fungus.
- Water in the morning to avoid evaporation. Mold growth and disease can occur from watering in the evening. Water your lawn separate from your plants, and ensure sprinklers aren’t watering the pavement.
- Water new trees and shrubs longer and less frequently than shallow-rooted plants. Once grown, trees and shrubs do not require much watering, if any.
- Control water flow on a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle.
- Raise your lawn mower cutting height. Longer grass blades help shade each other, reduce evaporation, and prevent weed growth.
- When soil is dry or compacted, allow water to soak in before continuing watering.
- Top your soil with compost and mulch to hold water and reduce evaporation.
- During a drought, use leftover water from the bath or sink in your garden. Don’t use water that contains chemicals! In non-arid parts of the country, your lawn only needs to be watered once a month. Once fall rolls around, your lawn will bounce back to normal.
Utilize these tips and tricks to have a beautiful, healthy, and money-saving poolscape for many years to come.
Check out our Landscaping Infographic and don’t forget to post pictures of your poolscape on social media with the hashtag #foreverpooltime!
