As the drought persists in California, homeowners' interest in finding ways to conserve water has grown. For each square foot of grass removed, homeowners save an average of 44 gallons of water a year.
Demand for such services has been spurred by California Governor Jerry Brown, who has ordered water supplies to cut usage 25 percent in the midst of the worst drought in the states recorded history. Utilities have helped grease the way by offering homeowners rebates for replacing lawns with water-saving plants and features, in a process called xeriscaping.
Watering lawns accounts for more than half of typical home water use in California. Nationwide, landscape irrigation is responsible for about one-third of residential water use.
1. Ground Cover
Instead of grass, a wide range of ground covers can be used to keep out weeds and reduce erosion, which would otherwise be a problem if people suddenly ripped out their grass. Alternatives include rocks and mulch, some of which can be locally sourced. Crushed shells are popular for properties near a beach. Sand also is an option, particularly for those going for a zen garden look.
2. Drought-Tolerant Grasses and Shrubs
In addition to native plants, homeowners also can choose from a wide range of drought-tolerant grasses and shrubs from around the world. Examples include lavender, safe. kangaroo law, and tea tree.
A drip irrigation should be installed with each project because the new plants should be watered sparingly for six months. Operated by an automatic, solar powered controller, the system drips a few gallons a month to the plant roots. After six months, the plants don't need to be watered at all.
3. Desert Plants
People can exchange grass for such water-sippers as succulents and cactus. These plants are often widely available at nurseries, and they can be kept in pots and moved indoors during colder months in cooler climates. They can be used in large numbers or as accents.
If you know of any other great water-saving ways, please feel free to leave a comment!
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