Xeriscape
If we had to pick one thing that Nature Designs Landscaping does best, it would be xeriscape. This applies to Planning, Design and Construction of your landscape, and the maintenance and management thereafter. Our Irrigation Techs are not only educated in irrigation design but also experienced technicians. Xeriscape and efficient, water saving installations are our specialty.
As you know, San Diego is in the midst of a water crisis that requires all of us to conserve water. It is a fact that on average over 60% of the water used in residential households goes to irrigating our landscapes. Most water agencies in San Diego County have implemented mandatory water conservation measures that include selected days and times when watering is permitted. There may be penalties and higher rates for exceeding allotted water usage.
Nature Designs has been developing and maintaining xeriscape landscapes for more than 25 years. We favor drip irrigation for most applications, but we are skilled irrigation designers and installers of all types of irrigation systems.
Steve Jacobs holds a degree in irrigation and drainage design from Cal Poly Pomona. He is also a Certified Water Manager (one of only 70 in the State of California) and Certified Landscape Technician in Irrigation through the California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA); and a Certified Irrigation Contractor through the Irrigation Association. In Steve’s role as Director of Education and a Board Member for the CLCA, he is responsible for developing the curriculum of xeriscape and water management education in the State of California to equip his peers so they can better address California’s and particularly San Diego’s water crisis.
Nature Designs Landscaping Tips for Saving Water in your Landscape
According to Steve Jacobs, president of Nature Designs Landscaping, there are a number of ways you can maintain healthy plants, including grass, in your yards and stay within the water saving restrictions. Some of Steve’s tips are:
- Replace your existing spray heads with rotor nozzles. There are nozzles designed to retrofit spray heads. These nozzles put down less water per minute. These nozzles are excluded from the 10 minute watering limitation. The real benefit of the rotor head is that more of the water is soaked in by the soil and able to be used by the plant material. The water droplets emitted from these heads are larger so they drift less (staying where you want the water and not blowing onto sidewalks and walls), and evaporate less. You may even qualify for a rebate of the cost of these nozzles.
- Replace your conventional spray irrigation system with a drip system. A drip irrigation system, if installed properly and used properly, is the most efficient irrigation system you can have. Using this system of irrigation, you will use less water and you will have better looking landscape.
- Install a ‘Smart’ Irrigation Timer. These devices adjust the water schedule based on the current weather. If it rains, it will turn the system off. If it is extra dry, it will water more. In addition to the efficient water use, you may also qualify for a rebate from the State of California if purchasing this item. Nature Designs Landscaping is a certified installer of the SmartLine Weathermatic irrigation controller.
- Do not use your 10 minute allotment all at once. Most likely, within 2-3 minutes after you turn on your spray system, runoff begins. This is caused by the soil not being able to absorb the water as fast as it is sprinkling down. Instead, let the sprinklers run only for the time the soil can absorb the water. When runoff begins, stop the sprinklers. After an hour water again for another short period. Repeat this as necessary. This way your 10 minutes may be spread over 3 or 4 cycles. The result will be that more of the water gets to the plant roots instead of the gutter.
- Typically, the plant material that uses the largest amount of water is your lawn. An easy way to cut down on your irrigation bill is to decrease the size of your lawn. A water efficient laqndscape may contain a lawn. You do not need to let the whole lawn die, but extend your flower beds with drought tolerant plants and save some water for the grass that remains. The xeriscapes of the future will have well placed lawns that fit the needs of the family.
- Converting your landscaping to a xeriscape is another option. Not all drought tolerant plants are cactus and succulents. It is possible that even a tropical looking garden can be a xeriscape or water wise garden.
More water savings can be discovered through a water audit. Nature Designs Landscaping can perform this irrigation audit and recommend corrections or changes to your irrigation system.