Landscape Improvement BMPs
Soil, Mulch and Maintenance

Why? Texas faces a critical water shortage. Even with development of alternative supplies of water, Texas is still looking at a water deficit. Consumers and landscape professionals are working together to ensure wise use of water in the landscape. To reach this goal, the Texas WaterWise Council has adopted a list of best management practices (BMPs) to help implement WaterWise landscapes across Texas.

The following practices are the most important yet often overlooked. These are things that can be done at any time. Not only do these practices enhance and improve a landscape, but they will go a long way toward helping it survive when water shortages become serious.

SOIL IMPROVEMENT

The very best thing you can do for your plants and be WaterWise is to build a deep, high quality soil. A minimum depth of 6 inches of good soil is desirable, but 12 to 18 inches is preferable.

Native and adapted plants do extremely well with native soils, but improved soils benefit most plant species.

Wonderful composts and landscape soils are available. Incorporating generous amounts into planting beds will reward your landscape with a larger reservoir of moisture-holding matter. For the very best results, get a soil test through the Extension Service and consult a nursery/landscape professional to get the best product for your needs.

Top dress your turf with shallow layers of a quality soil amendment to build a deeper, richer soil profile. This can be done periodically and goes a long way to improving your turfgrass quality.

MULCH

Mulches provide the following benefits:

• Help reduce soil water loss and erosion.

• Help moderate soil temperatures.

• Aid in good root development by adding rich organic matter to the soils.

• Slow or eliminate weed growth. (Weeds use valuable soil moisture that is best reserved for the desirable landscape plants.).

At least three to four inches of mulch should be maintained at all times around plants and trees. Replenish as often as you can, since organic matter decomposes over time. Some common organic mulches to use in planting beds and around trees are: pine bark, shredded cedar, composted leaves, shredded landscape clippings. Bagged products are easy to transport and handle and can be purchased almost everywhere. Bulk products come in a variety of types.

Even if many of the non-drought tolerant plants succumb to drought in a landscape, a thick layer of mulch can improve the landscape's appearance and improve the moisture holding capacity of any soil. Mulches will protect the soil and enrich it while we await the arrival of life giving rains.

Special Tree Needs: Keep mulch from making direct contact with the trunk of trees. Extend mulch out to the dripline where possible.

MAINTENANCE

Fertilization

Proper application of nutrients assures healthy plants. Too much fertilizer causes plants to require additional mowing and irrigation.

Leave lawn clippings on the lawn, instead of bagging. This enriches the soil and reduces fertilizer needs. Fertilizing once or twice a year is sufficient for most grasses and once a year is sufficient for other plants. Established plant material will not require fertilizer if soil amendments, such as compost, are applied.

Mowing

Mowing heights for turfgrass affects watering needs. Less frequent watering is required for plant material mowed at its optimum height.

Evaporation from the soil is also reduced with a longer leaf blade.

Remember that grass left unmown will transpire (release water vapor) more than properly mown grass. Use sharp blades on mowers and do not remove more than one-third of the leaf blade at each mowing.

Efficient Irrigation

"Plants don't waste water - people do!" Remember these tips when you do water your landscape:

• Water early in the day to minimize water loss from evaporation. The sun is less intense and wind is likely to be light or absent.

• Water only when plants need it. Plants in hot summer months need water only when they show signs of stress in the morning. Plants show stress in the afternoon due to the heat of day and not necessarily the need for water. Turf goes dormant in the summer. A straw colored lawn may be one that is resting not necessarily one that has died.

Being WaterWise...

Benefits your landscape, environment, community, and budget. Outdoor residential irrigation accounts for as much as 60% of municipal water use in the summertime.

Benefits for the Homeowner...

Being water-wise is a win-win proposition. Benefits for you:

• Plants and turf are healthier if you water them in accordance with their needs.

• Turfgrass and ornamentals develop deeper root systems with proper watering.

• Native or adapted plants usually require less maintenance.

• Proper irrigation means less run-off of fertilizer. If fertilizer flows down the street, it is not helping your plants and can harm the water supply.

• Less water for irrigation means lower water bills.

For the Environment...

Less run-off means healthier rivers and streams. Steady or increased river flows mean a healthier river and bay aquatic community.

For the Community...

Overall decrease in water use, especially during peak water demand periods, means forestalling or avoiding building new drinking water and wastewater treatment plants. This saves millions of dollars for taxpayers and water utilities.