Smart Tips for Better Water Management

‍ Smart Tips for Better Water Management

There's a lot in life that we can't control. Your landscape falls in a grey area. You have some control over it, and it's the final product, but a lot of the factors that affect it are outside of your sphere of influence.The case and point is the weather. You can't change it, but there's no single more significant influence on your yard. Rain and moisture, in particular, are life-giving and taking.So here are our water management tips to help you care for your yard, be a little more eco-conscious, and save some money while doing so. During this time of the year in you're more likely t have a dearth than a surplus of water in Rollingwood, but our tips work all the time!‍ ‍

Grading

Whether you want to ensure your plants are being watered evenly or that water isn't coming into your basement, the lay of the land has a significant impact on your water's trajectory! Water flows downhill, as they say (although they don't say "water").So if you find that one area of your yard is particularly dry or during rainier parts of the year, particularly swampy, grading may correct the issue.‍ ‍

Mulch

Even if your yard is perfect throughout (which is basically impossible), gravity is not the only force of nature to contend with when watering your plants. Evaporation competes with plant roots to see who can get the water first. While there are many ways to deal with the sun, mulch is one landscaping tool that should be part of any plan.Mulch soaks up the water for your gardens and slowly releases it into the plant roots. Though too much mulch can cause the opposite problem (too much water and mold), with the help of Southern Love, we'll get you the perfect amount.‍ ‍

Landscape Installation Choices

One of the places in your landscaping where you can have the most significant impact is your landscape installation choices. Of course, not everything is suitable in every climate. So in our hot, dry summers, your best bet may be to choose plants or other landscape installations that need less water.‍ ‍

Aritificial Turf

Lawns are popular all over North America, but they're not the most practical choice in a hot, dry climate like hours because grass needs a lot of water. But you know what grass doesn't? Artificial turf!Artificial turf is low maintenance and stays green all the time. The only water required is the occasional hose down to clean it.‍ ‍

Stones and Hardscaping

Not all landscaping is alive. For example, boulders and rock gardens have been a part of gardening for as long as people have gardened recreationally. These features stay beautiful all year and don't need water because they don't grow!Likewise, your hardscape surfaces are the place where you'll spend the most time when you are entertaining outside. When you install them, just be sure you are working with a professional who understands how nonporous surfaces affect your water management.‍ ‍

Choosing the Right Plants

Not all plants require a lot of water to survive. Often your best guide to choosing the best plants for your yard is looking around to see what plants naturally grow in the local ecosystems. For example, Cacti, succulents, and Texas shrubs all do well during drier weather.‍ ‍

Irrigation Systems

One of the best water management systems is an irrigation system. Unlike humans, they are not prone to measurement errors, so as long as they remain fully functional, they don't go over or under water.The most well-known and often-used irrigation system is a sprinkler system. People often consider them a waste of water, but when used correctly, they're not. If you have them installed, set up, and programmed by professionals, they are an efficient way to water your plants.One way to use your sprinklers most efficiently is to program them to water at the right time. Early morning watering will prevent you from having to fight evaporation!An even more efficient irrigation system is drip irrigation. Drip irrigation waters your plants through a series of pipes just above or below your plants' roots. Watering at the roots wastes no water and can use less!‍ ‍

Effective Water Management is a Team Sport!

Water management is complex and requires understanding what your plants need, landscape grading, how your water will flow, and more! But you don't need to figure it out alone. Southern Love is your expert landscaping partner for all your water management and other landscaping needs.