7 ways to make landscaping and water restrictions compatible

It’s hot. And it’s dry. Really dry. Sounds like another summer in Utah. But living during a drought doesn’t mean you need to start dressing like Lawrence of Arabia and giving up your green space altogether. With a few tweaks, you can still enjoy your yard without feeling guilty. KSL Homes has seven suggestions for keeping your yard attractive, despite necessary water restrictions.

Flip your strip 

You know the 2-foot-wide space between the sidewalk and road? Replace that water-guzzling grass — and stop sidewalk puddles — with perennials, bushes, bark, gravel or other drought-friendly materials. Can’t picture it? Utah Water Savers, sponsored by the Utah Division of Water Resources, has ready-made park strip designs you’re free to use. 

You could save 5,000 to 8,000 gallons of water per year on this one project. Even better? Participating water conservancy districts may pay you up to $1.25 per square foot of lawn you replace. Save resources and cash? Cha-ching.

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Fine-tune sprinklers

Automatic sprinklers work well when needed, but they can also seriously waste water. If the system is running during a windstorm, for example, much of the spray may end up on the sidewalk or street. When a heavy summer rainstorm hits, Mother Nature has your lawn covered for a couple of days. 

Bottom line: While it’s convenient to have an automated system, don’t rely on it fully. Pay attention to the weather and make adjustments as appropriate. Better yet, install a smart irrigation controller. Through Wi-Fi, it accesses conditions — weather, humidity, temperature — and adjusts the schedule for you.  

Remember, when you set up your system, avoid watering during peak heat hours — 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. — to reduce evaporation. 

Slow the hose

As your curmudgeonly neighbor likes to point out, concrete won’t grow no matter how much you water it. That means letting excess water pour over it is straight up wasteful. An average hose can spout out between 9 and 17 gallons per minute. Thus, innocently spraying down your driveway once a week could mean hundreds of gallons going right down the gutter, literally. Be wise with your consumption by skipping the hose when it isn’t necessary. 

• Sweep, instead of spray, to clean your porch, patio or driveway. It’ll still look nice, we promise.
• Use a carwash instead of cleaning vehicles in your yard. Maybe support your local high school band while you're at it.
• When using a hose, attach a nozzle that shuts off. Then it won’t be needlessly running while you dash inside for a popsicle. 

Don’t stunt your grass

You know that neighbor who clips his lawn like a military haircut? It may look sharp, but grass is more akin to a hippie’s style. When you mow, set the blade at 3 to 4 inches. Leaving your grass a little taller has two benefits. First, the taller the grass, the deeper the roots. Deep roots means it can reach water waaay down in the soil. Second, tall blades provide shade, so the soil stays moist longer. And honestly, it’s probably softer that way, too. So you can host your own Woodstock with your groovy playlist.

Chillax on the fertilizer

Adding fertilizer to your lawn certainly makes the grass grow, but it also leads to soil compaction. Once that happens, it’s difficult for grass to access water. And, of course, you’ll need to mow more. Hard pass. If you want a better looking yard, use iron-based fertilizers in the early days of spring, summer and fall. They’ll green up the grass without stimulating growth or requiring extra water.

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Create a localscape

Because Utah is a desert, we have unique landscaping needs. For example, grass naturally grows well in the northwest because it stays cooler and wetter year round. Our hot summers make it difficult for grass — and sometimes humans — to thrive here. Localscaping is customizing your yard to work with the climate. As a result, you’ll reduce water use, improve curb appeal and reduce your workload. What more motivation could you need? 

Instead of a yard made up strictly of boring grass, spruce up your outdoor space by creating designated areas.

• Gathering space. Lay down some concrete or pavers, set up your outdoor seating and enjoy the outdoors. 
• Activity center. Give the family a place for play, such as a firepit surrounded by gravel or mulch.
• Open zone. Make a grassy area that is centrally located. It not only looks nice, but it’s easier to maintain and water efficiently. Keep in mind, lawns work best in flat areas. 
• Pathways. Create a flow to your yard with sidewalks made of pavers, gravel or concrete.
• Flower beds. Add variation to your landscape using drought tolerant plants native to the area. 

Get started

Some 60% of water used for homes goes toward outdoor watering. According to the Utah Department of Natural Resources, you can save roughly 3,000 gallons simply by eliminating one watering. Start making small changes today, and perhaps even attempt a few larger projects. 

Need a home to start working on? Find it on KSL Homes.