Green Landscaping Brochure

Green Landscaping: Seven Principles

Use minimal water to create a healthy yard Quick Facts:
Water demand is highest during the summer growing season, mainly due to lawn watering.
Typically, 50% of the water consumed by a single family household during the growing season is used to irrigate lawn and garden areas.

1. Planning and Design
Consider:
Site characteristics: drainage, sun, shade, wind, slopes, noise, privacy.
Your needs and wants: garden, entertainment, service, and play areas.
Draw your plan on paper: measure your yard, and include structures and plants you will be keeping. Then try various ideas on paper.

2. Soil
Most plants grow best in loamy soil that drains well and contains organic material.
If your plants are not doing as well as you would expect, a soil analysis may help in determining your problem. Call an accredited lab for information.

3. Reduce Turf Area
Decide how much lawn area you want. Then, gradually reduce the excess by removing the lawn and replanting with appropriate low maintenance plants.

4. Irrigation
If you do have to irrigate, water deeply, but not often.
The larger the drop size, the less evaporation will occur. Apply the water as close to the ground as possible. If water begins to pond while watering, water for 15 minute intervals until the needed water has been applied.
Minimize your need for irrigation. Group plants according to their water needs, and according to the attributes of the area of your yard. If you have one area which is extremely hot and dry, use drought tolerant species. However, if you have an area that is always damp or wet, consider using plants that grow well in that environment.

5. Mulches
Mulching assists soil in retaining moisture, reducing weed growth and preventing erosion. Anything from straw, grass clippings, leaves or newspaper to wood chips, pine cones, compost or peat moss can be used as a mulch. Apply the mulch 3 to 4 inches thick, ensuring the mulch does not touch the stalks or trunks of plants.

6. Plant Selection
Choose plants that are appropriate for the area of your yard (sun versus shade, dry versus wet, etc.).
Consider size, colour, and texture of the plants.
Plants native to your area are already adapted to the climate. In addition, many are perennial or self-seeding, reducing future costs for new plants. Many native plants will also support indigenous animals, such as butterflies and birds.

7. Maintenance
Low-water landscaped areas are intended to require low maintenance. However, this does mean some upkeep must still be done. Some of the tasks include:
Adding mulch yearly.
Amending flower and vegetable beds.
Pruning trees and shrubs.
Dividing and transplant perennials as required.
Cutting down perennial tops.
Ensuring nutrients in soil are adequate for the plants in that area.
Weeding as necessary.

Lawns
Ensure grass is a drought resistant variety.
Grass cut 7.5 to 10 cm long requires less water because roots, new growth and soil are shaded.
Water the garden in the morning when there is little wind to minimize evaporation.
Only water the garden, not the sidewalk, road or neighbour's deck.
Buy a timer for your outside faucet, or use a kitchen timer as a reminder to turn water off.
Use a soil moisture indicator for your lawn, or measure rain and sprinkler water in a container. Three centimetres of water per week is usually enough.
Aerate your lawn regularly.
Use a watering can with water from your rain barrel for plants that need extra water.
Encourage children to use water toys and a splash pool, rather than a hose or a sprinkler, to keep cool. Use the water from the splash pool for your garden.

Other Outdoor Hints
Use a broom, not a hose, to clean sidewalks and driveways.
Wash your car with a bucket of soapy water; only use the hose for rinsing.
Repair any leaks in your hose or connections.

For More Information, Please Contact:
Water Use Efficiency Coordinator
Pollution Prevention
Manitoba Environment
123 Main Street, Suite 160
Winnipeg MB R3C 1A5
Phone: 1-800-282-8069 ext. 8980