Text by Blake Wilson

Now that summer looms on the horizon, homeowners are looking forward to longer days and warmer temperatures for working outside the house. However, the seasonal change also leads to the depletion of water reservoirs in Central Texas, as the average homeowner uses a surprising amount of this precious resource on his or her lawn. There are several easy steps to preserve water during the dry months of the year. If you are selective with the species of plants and grass, the layout of the landscape and your watering techniques, you will save money and a precious resource with your water-conserving landscape.

Step 1: Plant Selection

Choosing appropriate plants for your lawn may seem like a challenge when forecasting a long, dry summer, but there are many options among native Texas plants that create a range of attractive landscapes. Selecting plants that are adapted to the drier climates of the south will save money and effort with fertilizing costs, watering needs, and overall stress that a more exotic species would require. Characteristics of drought-hardy plants include lightly colored leaves to reflect sunlight and waxy texture or smaller leaves to counter evaporation. Grasses should be carefully chosen, taking consideration of their high watering needs. Saint Augustine grass and Bermuda grass are the most common found in Texas lawns, but several other types offer similar or better tolerance to drought. Zosiagrass, while not as lush as Saint Augustine, creates good, healthy ground cover and saves on the water bill. Buffalo grass and Centipede grass are also good alternatives for a more arid climate. In all cases, consider the uses your new grass will endure as well as location in the yard to keep it in good physical shape.

Step 2 : Location

Creating a water saving lawn entails planting the most appropriate species of plant, as well as planting it in the right place to maximize efficiency. Consider the various physical aspects of your yard. Differences in topography and manmade alterations create a variety of environments for plants. Drainage ditches, gutter spouts, artificial shade and high wind or sunny areas can cause a native plant to suffer or die rather than thrive in its natural climate. To avoid this problem, select the area of your yard that is most similar to a plant’s natural habitat. A plant that needs a great amount of sunlight should be in a more exposed area, while a more tropical or higher maintenance plant would do best in the shade or a low lying area of the yard. Also, you can group plants of similar water needs together for even and efficient water coverage. This way, all the plants of a certain variety get the same amount of attention, and plants meant for a drier climate don’t get over saturated. When planting grass, choose an area that is easy to water. Avoid odd shaped areas that require hand watering and stick to broad, open areas that a sprinkler can cover efficiently.

Step 3 : Irrigation

In Texas, urban areas use nearly twenty-five percent of the water supply for landscape watering, but much of this use can be prevented with conservative watering methods. After selecting the plants for your water-smart landscape, choosing an efficient irrigation technique is the next step to cutting back on wasted water. A common mistake is using too much too quickly, or watering when it isn’t necessary. Drip irrigation and the use of sprinklers are two options that cut down water waste and avoid the hassles of hand watering. When using sprinklers, turn them on after seven at night and before seven in the morning to avoid excess evaporation. Water the grass and plants only when they need it, when the leaves begin to dry and show thirst. Once these characteristics are present, you have 24 to 48 hours to prevent permanent damage to your plants. Remain aware of your yard’s condition in order to keep the balance between conserving water and keeping your landscape healthy through the summer.
Once you’ve picked out your new turf, planted it in a friendly place and set the timer for the sprinklers, you’re ready to take an active role in cutting down the effect your lawn has on the community’s water resources and your energy costs. Whether planning your new lawn or sprucing up existing property, native foliage and smart water usage will save money and a valuable community resource.