Install a Waterwise Landscape
The previous video and step-by-step instructions, How to Plan a
Waterwise Landscape, covered creating practical turf areas, selecting
water-efficient plants and watering zones, and planning the design. Now
it’s time to install your waterwise landscape.
Preparation
|
There are seven basic steps to waterwise landscaping:
- Planning and design
- Preparing the soil
- Creating practical turf areas
- Selecting water-efficient plants
- Using mulch
- Efficient irrigation
- Proper maintenance
|
|
01 Once your landscape plan is complete, gather your tools and plants.
The next jobs are to prepare the soil, add the plants, install the drip or
other irrigation system, mulch and follow up with regular maintenance.
02 Call 811 to be connected with your local utility companies. They will mark any underground service lines to avoid. Also check your local building department
for ordinances and restrictions on landscaping.
Preparing the Soil
Soil should be rich with nutrients and hold water just long enough for plants to
hydrate. Rocky or sandy soil will drain too quickly, and clay prevents proper
drainage. Preparing the soil requires compost or other amendments.
|
01 As needed, turn up the soil in planting
beds with a garden shovel, garden fork or power tiller.
|
|
|
02 Test the soil.
|
|
- Soil and pH test kits are available that allow you to test your soil to make
the proper adjustments for a healthy plant base.
TIP: The easiest soil test is to look at the health of plants near your planting areas.
For more accuracy, you can purchase soil test kits or send a soil sample to a
nearby university extension service. For a small fee, typically under $20, they
can give you a detailed analysis of pH, phosphorus (P), potassium (K),
calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), other minerals and organic matter in the
sampled soil. pH tests measure the balance between acidic and alkaline soil.
Some plants prefer one type over the other. If you select a plant and want it to grow healthy, you must ensure that the soil in which it is planted is within the plant's recommended pH range. If not, you can amend the soil. A soil kit or test will help you analyze the soil's ingredients. You can test the soil nearly any time during the year as it typically doesn't change.
- Follow recommendations on the soil test kit for collecting and testing or sending the sample for testing.
03 Add compost or other soil amendments as nutrients to the planting beds.
Adding Plants
|
01 Add plants following the planting instructions on the tags or professional advice.
|
|
- When spacing plants, consider the size of the mature plant. Don’t plant them too
closely together.
02 Consider adding stones, boulders, berms or ornamental fixtures to decorate
the planting area.
Installing a Drip System
A drip irrigation system is an efficient alternative to watering by hand. Properly installed, a drip system delivers water straight to the roots rather than allowing it to evaporate in the air or run off. Drip systems can be purchased in kits or
as components. Make sure that the kit you buy is easy to extend as your waterwise landscaping is expanded or needs repair. Most kits include distribution lines, emitters, and controllers/timers. Lines are ½", ¼" or 1/8" in diameter and can be cut to length and joined with connectors. Emitters (also called drippers) distribute the water flow to specific plants or areas. They are available for various purposes including watering small trees, ground cover, individual plants and
potted plants. Ask a Lowe’s associate to help you select the appropriate emitters for your waterwise landscape project.
|
01 Mark the drip irrigation system’s path using mason’s string and stakes. Position the stakes where you will place the water emitters, which should
be close to plants.
|
|
02 Use a trenching shovel to dig along the lines.
|
03 Connect the backflow preventer, the pressure regulator and filter to
the water supply.
|
|
04 Lay the lengths of your system along the trenches.
05 Connect the tubing and fittings. Don’t attach the emitters yet.
06 Turn on the water to flush any dirt out of the system.
|
07 Attach the emitters.
|
|
08 Install timers or other devices following the manufacturer’s instructions.
09 Test the system, making sure there are no leaks or loose components.
10 Cover the trenches.
Using Other Irrigation Techniques
You can still water smaller plants by hand, just avoid over-watering them. A garden hose is a great tool for watering, but too often people tend to water areas that don’t need hydration, such as rock beds, sidewalks and driveways.
Here are some smart watering tips:
- LConsider watering your landscape with recycled rain water from a rain barrel. To learn how to install a rain barrel,
watch the video at Lowes.com/Videos.
- Top water systems, like sprinklers, are only ideal for turf areas. Use a rain
gauge to monitor watering, making sure you’re not overdoing it. Typically,
lawns require about ¾-1" of water per week.
- Keep an eye on the weather reports and take advantage of any rainfall.
- The best time to water your landscape is early in the morning. Watering in
the heat of the day is not as effective due to evaporation. Watering at night
will leave too much moisture on the leaves, promoting diseases.
|
|
Mulching
|
Once the drip irrigation system is installed, add mulch to the planting beds. Mulch is a protective cover placed over the soil that acts as a shield to reduce
moisture loss and limit weed growth. It also moderates soil temperature. There
is a wide variety of natural and synthetic materials used for mulch including
compost, grass clippings, bark dust, straw, plastic or biodegradable sheet mulch,
rock and gravel. Add about 2-4" to your beds for healthy plants.
|
|
Maintaining Waterwise Landscaping
Maintenance is ongoing. Fortunately, waterwise planting and mulching minimizes the maintenance requirements for your landscaping.
Here are some maintenance tips:
- Don’t mow your lawn too short. Grass blades need the proper length for photosynthesis.
- Make sure that your lawnmower blade is sharp, the wheels are properly adjusted, and the deck or blade area is clear of debris.
- Before mowing, pick up rocks, sticks, or other debris that can damage the
mower blade(s).
- Cut Bermuda grass to 1-½ to 2" and St. Augustine grass (popular in warmer
climates) to 3 to 4".
- Cut grass longer in the summer to reduce water requirements.
- Alternate your mowing pattern (rows, columns, diagonal) for healthier grass.
- Be careful how you use fertilizer.
- Apply fertilizer following the manufacturer’s directions.
- Evenly spread the fertilizer over the plants’ root zone.
- Don’t dump the fertilizer in one spot. Work it into the soil.
- Don’t allow the fertilizer to sit on the leaves, which can cause fertilizer burn.
|
 |
A waterwise landscape can look great and help save water at the same time.
To see more outdoor how-to videos with printable instructions, check out the
project line up at Lowes.com/Videos.