Most people don’t realize that most water use and water waste actually occurs outdoors. During this drought, without supplemental irrigation many landscape plants are already going dormant for the winter or simply dying off. There are two simple ways to combat this: planting native plants and rainwater catchment systems.
Native plants have adapted to our local environment and are the best selection for any new landscape. They are both low maintenance and low water using plants. Many people think of dry prairies when they think of native but this is a wrong assumption! You can have a beautiful landscape using native plant material. It is true that all living things need water, but the amount each requires varies. After planting native plant types, the water requirements are much below those of exotic plant species. You will save both money and time with maintaining a native landscape.
Rainwater catchment systems provide another way to recycle rainwater and keep your plants looking great. Rain barrels placed at the bottom of each gutter collect water which can be reused for supplemental plant watering. This has been used in Europe for hundreds of years and is a great way to save even more money on water bills while keeping your plants thriving!
A very easy way to retain some moisture in your soil is to add an “insulating” layer of fresh mulch. Mulch helps moderate the soil temperature and helps retain any moisture the plants receive whether by rainfall or hand watering. We offer mulch delivery and placement at great rates!
Call us today to discuss these options for your landscape at 309-839-9448.
TIP: All plants require a different amount of water and it is difficult to judge how much to give specific plants. A good general rule is to stick your finger into the soil at the base of each plant. If your finger comes out dry and no soil is sticking to it, you need to water! Always water slowly so the water will percolate into the root zone of each plant. Watering should typically occur a few times a week depending on weather conditions.
