{"id":66180,"date":"2022-07-19T11:17:19","date_gmt":"2022-07-19T18:17:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=36517"},"modified":"2022-08-17T10:59:38","modified_gmt":"2022-08-17T17:59:38","slug":"drought-tolerant-landscaping-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/drought-tolerant-landscaping-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"7 Drought-Tolerant Landscaping Ideas for a Greener Yard This Summer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Maintaining a beautiful yard is a point of pride for many homeowners. From keeping the grass mowed to planting flowers and manicuring shrubs and trees, a lot goes into keeping your yard and garden up to standard.\u00a0<\/span>However, if you live in a <\/span>hot climate<\/span><\/a> or somewhere that experiences drought, like <\/span>Tempe, AZ<\/span><\/a>, or <\/span>Albuquerque, NM<\/span><\/a>, saving water while giving your lawn and plants enough water to thrive can be incredibly difficult.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But don\u2019t worry, that\u2019s where drought-tolerant landscaping comes in. With the proper planning, care, and the right plants, you can save thousands of gallons of water and still maintain a beautiful, healthy yard. Here are seven easy drought-tolerant landscaping ideas to get started.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"drought<\/p>\n

1. Fix outdoor leaks to prepare for droughts<\/span><\/h2>\n

Effective use of water relies on your own practices but can also be attributed to proper maintenance. Whether you know it or not, pipes, spigots, hoses, sprinkler tubing, and other components of a watering system can develop weaknesses and, consequently, leaks.<\/span><\/p>\n

Periodically, take time to inspect your system, looking for signs of issues. A slow-dripping faucet alone can cost hundreds of dollars a year in water expenses, so keep an eye out for any leaks or other problem areas to avoid wasting money on water you\u2019re not even using.<\/span><\/p>\n

Read more about <\/span><\/i>how to prepare your home for a drought<\/span><\/i><\/a>.<\/span><\/i>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Add a greywater system for drought-tolerant landscaping<\/span><\/h2>\n

After you wash your hands or do the dishes, where does the water go? That\u2019s right \u2013 it goes right down the drain. That is unless you put it to good use through a greywater system.<\/span><\/p>\n

You may be wondering, what is greywater?<\/span><\/p>\n

Greywater refers to wastewater from non-hazardous applications like washing hands, taking a shower, or any non-toilet-related use. This water is too contaminated to be used for any sterile application, but it is perfectly useful for things like watering grass and plants when properly treated. The components in this water that make it seem dirty are actually beneficial as fertilizer, perfect for growing plants.<\/span><\/p>\n

If you have access to greywater in your area, taking advantage of it can be an excellent way to keep costs down while helping the environment. To get started with greywater:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Explore city ordinances to ensure greywater use and collection are permitted<\/span><\/li>\n
  2. Partner with a plumbing contractor to help create a device that accurately collects and applies greywater in a way that makes sense for your property<\/span><\/li>\n
  3. Consider investing in a three-way valve to make it easy to divert water between greywater collection and your septic system<\/span><\/li>\n
  4. Determine whether you want to use greywater with an irrigation system, like mulch basins, or through a hose for normal watering<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \"drought<\/p>\n

    3. Invest in drought-tolerant xeriscaping<\/span><\/h2>\n

    Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping designed especially to withstand a drought. This process utilizes sustainable alternatives to traditional plants to reduce the need for watering property. Very popular in dry climates, this home improvement tactic maintains property values and creates a beautiful appearance for your front or backyard without standard flowers, bushes, shrubs, trees, or varieties of grass. Components frequently used in xeriscaping include:<\/span><\/p>\n

    Paving stones\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Hardscape elements like these can add a creative element to your landscape design without incorporating more plants. Pavers are perfect for creating an outdoor patio. Throw in a canopy to shield yourself from the sun and also protect any plant that isn’t drought-tolerant.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Cacti<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Drought-tolerant plants<\/span><\/a> are an ideal addition to your garden or landscape design if you live in a dry climate, and nothing screams drought-tolerant like a cactus. Unlike other plants, cacti typically grow in drought-prone areas like deserts and can thrive in climates where growing plants is seemingly impossible. Incorporating native plants in a hot climate is a great way to create a drought-tolerant garden.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Mulch<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Mulch consists of organic materials like bark and compost. In addition to preventing weeds and fertilizing the soil, it can be used to preserve moisture and prevent water loss. It’s a great gardening tool for gardeners hoping to maintain healthy plants.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Gravel pathways<\/span><\/h3>\n

    A gravel path can serve dual purposes. From a design standpoint, it can add character to your front yard without requiring supplemental water. Secondly, it prevents people from walking on the lawn and potentially damaging surrounding plants in your lawn or garden. Foot traffic can also cause compaction issues, leading to soil erosion, so creating a gravel pathway from your house can prevent this.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Bluegrass<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Bluegrass<\/span><\/a> is an essential part of any drought-tolerant landscape. Because it becomes dormant during periods of hotter weather, it doesn’t need much moisture to survive during a drought. By contrast, ornamental grasses thrive in colder climates and will struggle if you plant them in drought-prone areas.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Succulent plants<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Succulents are drought-resistant plants that retain moisture to survive in arid landscapes. These low-maintenance plants can add character to your landscape and don’t need much shade or water, making for easy, drought-tolerant landscaping. A cactus is an example of a succulent plant.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Xeriscaping is not a water-free endeavor, but the right tactics can reduce or nearly eliminate the need for regular watering, which makes it ideal for drought-tolerant landscapes. When design focuses on adequate irrigation and a beautiful layout, it\u2019s possible to use limited watering to achieve stunning results.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \"drought<\/p>\n

    Synthetic lawns<\/h3>\n

    Synthetic lawns provide all the benefits of a natural grass lawn without the extreme water usage and associated expenses. Known as a \u201cwaterless\u201d lawn, a synthetic lawn stays green year-round and doesn\u2019t require any mowing, watering or fertilization. As\u00a0Opulands<\/a>, a landscape design firm based in notoriously-dry California, explains: \u201cSynthetic lawn is typically a higher cost during installation, but over its lifetime, the amount saved in water and maintenance will often pay for itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

    4. Evaluate saturation to improve drought tolerance and avoid wasting water<\/span><\/h2>\n

    The last thing you want to do in a drought-prone area is wastewater. Some yards will absorb water efficiently. However, if your property easily becomes oversaturated, you may lose water due to evaporation.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Overwatering your yard can result in damage to your lawn as well as an unnecessarily high water bill. Instead of assuming your lawn is properly absorbing the water, take time to evaluate during the process.<\/span><\/p>\n

    As you water, keep an eye out for any water pooling, which can signify compacted soil. If this occurs, immediately cease watering until water pools have disappeared.<\/span><\/p>\n

    5. Conserve by watering at the right time<\/span><\/h2>\n

    When it comes to watering, all time isn\u2019t made equal. There are better times to water your grass, so do your best to plan to water when it\u2019s most effective. Keep these tips in mind to make the most of your water usage:<\/span><\/p>\n