Water is on the minds of most of us these days and “The Green, Green Grass Of Home,” isn’t the song playing in our heads. The drought has made us rethink our priorities as it dictates our commitment to conservation. Large yards with lush green lawns are a thing of the past. Existing homeowners are making changes to their yard design. Grass is being replaced by decorator gravel or bark and drought resistant plants or shrubs.
Even though there may be no limits on water usage where you live, the odds are it’s coming. Brown grass and shrubs adorn many yards, telling the story of the shortage that is a reality for most Californians. New construction no longer boast large green lawns but instead the plan shows shrubs, decorative rock and gravel, or wood chips with a timed drip system for the shrubs that replaces the popular lush lawns of yesterday.
In a lot of cities, homeowners are being asked to have no watering days. So instead of opting for grass that requires a lot of water to keep it green and lush, homeowners are redesigning their yards with pathways and patios and extensive use of ground cover. Ground cover requires less water, adds color, and requires little or no maintenance.
Constructing a rock garden is a great way to take up space, save water, and enhance your yard — giving it the look of a botanical riverbed. Drought tolerant plants such succulents, coleus, and butterfly’s are good plant choices. Wyntour Gardens in Redding has a wide selection of plants to choose from and a friendly staff to help you choose the right ones for your area. Vic Hannan Landscape Materials has all the rocks you will need to make a beautiful rock garden that your neighbors will envy.
Silly as it sounds, some folks are spray-painting their lawns with nontoxic, biodegradable ingredients made from pulverized kaolin, a soft stone. It is harmless to humans and pets and it will last two to three months. Lawn painting isn’t new; grounds keepers have been using it on football fields and golf courses for years. All you need to do it yourself is a couple of bottles of grass paint and a garden sprayer. Grass paint sells for about $25.00 for a 16-ounce bottle and can be purchased at most garden suppliers.
Water conservation is here to stay so no matter how you do it, just do it!
Image Source: Flickr/Center for Neighborhood Technology
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