How to Practice Sustainable Landscaping

Even though more than 70% of the earth is water, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, less than 4% of that water is fresh, and less than 2% of all fresh water is found in lakes, streams, rain, and aquifers. Unfortunately, excessive water use is depleting that supply.

When people are through using water, they discharge it back into the atmosphere or ground to be reused. However, since our use either displaces it back into the atmosphere or pollutes it, we are constantly seeking fresher, cleaner water. While this practice was sustainable when the earth’s population was smaller, it’s not today.

Homeowners associations can do their part to protect and preserve our fresh water supply by adopting sustainable landscaping practices.

Sustainable landscaping practices include:

• Collecting and reusing rain water for irrigation
• Planting trees that are naturally suited for the environment to provide shade
• Collecting and reusing rain water for irrigation
• Using efficient irrigation systems, such as drip lines, to reduce evaporation
• Calibrating irrigation to match ground water needs and to account for natural precipitation
• Minimizing runoff by creating retention ponds and reservoirs that will release water over time

Xeriscaping, landscaping that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation, is often the first thing that comes to mind when considering sustainable landscaping. However, it’s important to remember that xeriscaping is not “zero-scaping.” While the term evokes images of gravel and cactus, it doesn’t have to be boring or barren. It just needs to be well-planned and maintained.

Meanwhile, non-natural ground covers, such as artificial turf of all types, and non-permeable ground covers, such as asphalt and cement or any material that has the potential to cause health problems, should be avoided.

Artificial turf has improved over the years, providing a much more natural look and feel than some earlier versions. However, it tends to absorb and retain heat more than natural ground and vegetation. It also can may contain hazardous chemicals that can get released into the atmosphere.

Irrigation equipment, when necessary, should make use of current technology to allow remote control, groundwater sensing, and other methods to ensure the necessary amount of water is delivered. Systems should be well-maintained and should be adaptable to the latest equipment.

Support should be given to plantings that mitigate potential weather-related issues, such as reducing the ground temperature in hot, dry regions, providing wind and snow breaks where relevant, and minimizing water erosion from beaches, shorelines, and drainage areas.

It’s important to educate homeowners on water-use policies and the simple ways they can reduce their daily consumption. Policies should promote sustainable landscaping practices, provide incentives for reducing domestic water used for landscaping, and offer tighter controls on landscape irrigation. Policies also should state that these rules can be amended in the event of a drought or short supply.

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