LANDSCAPING: IT'S A NATURAL

The homeowners of the 21st century have embraced conservation landscaping with a passion. Borrowing liberally from Mother Nature's landscape plan, conservation landscaping groups plants into separate areas of the landscape according to their various water needs. The result is a significant reduction in the amount of water needed for plants to survive.

Before you jump into your conservation landscaping project, envision how you want your yard to look:

• Do you need a deck with lots of room for entertaining?
• Do children need a large lawn area for romping?
• Are you a backyard vegetable gardener?
• Do you need privacy? How much?
• Where are the sunny and shady areas? Note the location of existing rocks slopes, drainage areas, structures and plants

Plant selection and placement are key elements in conservation landscaping. The use of low water-use plants is only one aspect of water-saving landscaping. Many medium or high water use plants can be used if they are grouped together and watered together by area. See "Choosing the Right Plant for the Right Place" for more information.

Full Irrigation Areas
These areas are usually expanses of grass. Grass needs more water than other areas that get a lot of use or are highly visible.

Moderate Irrigation Areas
Plants and shrubs in these areas take advantage of some natural runoff from downspouts, driveways and patios. For instance, an entryway using groundcovers and low or moderate water-use shrubs will require little watering.

Low Irrigation Areas
Border areas containing low or moderate water-demanding flowers, shrubs and trees provide the greatest water savings. Drip irrigation applies water only the plant’s roots, saving even more water. Very little water is lost to evaporation.