After several years of drought, we have certainly had some significant rains. Our soils are saturated, aquifers recharging, and we have a snowpack that is thought to last through to next winter. I couldn’t have wished for a better time to encourage people to make changes to their landscapes!
With water in the soil and adequate back-up in the reservoirs, we have resources to make the change to a more drought resistant landscape. With all this rain I would still encourage everyone to plan for drought. We don’t yet know what our changing climate will bring us; long-term droughts, heavy rains, or flip-flopping back and forth?
I moved to California, to L.A. from Connecticut, just after the major drought of the seventies. I quickly learned of the dry climate we have, the overuse of our precious water resources, and the need to focus on planting appropriate plants. In times of plenty we forget about the limitations we are only sometimes forced to live with. Water-needy plants pop back into California gardens as soon as we have normal rains. The truth is, though, that we pump a lot of water out of the ground and divert it from natural ecosystems just to water our needy plants. We rarely select our landscape plantings so that we live within our water means. Since our summers are always dry and drought is always inevitable here, I encourage the switch to more drought resistant landscaping.
Establishing new plants, drought tolerant ones included, takes extra water at first. The optimum time to plant is in the fall when the soil is still warm, the sun is lower, and, hopefully, the rains start. However, the nursery industry readies its plants for spring planting, so spring planting is usually unavoidable. The plants are better off in the ground anyway, rather than baking in their pots through the summer. That does burn the roots. Besides, can you blame the grower nurseries for not wanting to water them all summer long?
But what that means is that you must supply adequate water to the newly planted plants the first year or two. That’s how long it takes for them to establish, which means they have developed a sufficient root system into the native soil. After establishment water can be delivered more sparingly to take advantage of the plant’s natural drought tolerant characteristics (along with proper mulching).
During our recent drought many people were rushing to change over their lawns to an alternative. But since new plantings do take more water than not watering a lawn, it’s best to plan ahead for the inevitable. And don’t think drought tolerant landscaping is sparse or comprised only of succulents, cacti, and sand. There is a huge palette of beautiful plants that do well here!
When making a plan to move to a more drought tolerant (or I now like to say, climate resilient) landscape, it’s best to think of all that you want out of your landscape. Thoughtfully planning a landscape out will prevent having to make costly do-overs, will assure adequate spacing for each element you may want, and will assure a sense of unity, style, and flow. It will prevent a chaotic or hodgepodge appearance. The installation can occur in phases as finances permit.
There are many elements to consider including in a landscape or garden. An outdoor dining space, walkways, steps, arrangement of planting beds, fencing, walls, a pergola or an arbor, water features, fire features, kid’s play areas, a secret hideaway, a hot tub, and so on, are some things to consider. And being sure you have the room and location for these is an aspect to plan for.
Then there are the plants. Plants must be grouped according to their needs. It amazes me when I see water needy plants under drought tolerant trees. This is not good for the trees and the trees are the most valuable asset to a landscape! Grouping plants by need conserves water.
Many planting themes can be incorporated into a landscape. Perhaps an herb garden, vegetable garden, or including some edible landscaping throughout. You may want to incorporate elements that support some of our native wildlife (not necessarily deer!) such as birds, butterflies, and native bees. All of these animals are in sharp decline and need all the help we can give them.
Fire safety is yet another consideration to plan for. The threat of wildfire has increased considerably because of the recent drought. There are many things you can do to maintain a beautiful landscape and increase the fire safety of your home, property, and neighborhood. Bare dirt is not the only option.
A well planned landscape can add significant value to a home. It takes about 5 years to fully actualize this value with plant growth. And don’t wait, you should enjoy a beautiful, functional, tailored landscape while living in your home. It’s a value that pays off at least twice over.
Angie’s List claims that a well done landscape can add as much as 100-200% of the money spent on the landscape to the home’s value. That’s a full return, plus! Figures that range from 5-20% of your home’s value is what is recommended to spend on landscaping a home.
So go ahead and switch over to some drought tolerant landscaping, and while you’re at it make it a beautiful one, tailored especially for you!