WATERWISE IRRIGATION PRACTICES

Plant and mountain views from the Water Conservation Garden

Utah and much of the western United States has been experiencing serious drought conditions that have made water conservation more urgent than ever. State and local municipalities are considering mandatory restrictions on landscape irrigation that could challenge homeowners’ ability to effectively maintain desired conditions for home garden landscapes.

With sound planning and good practices, steps can be taken that can have a real effect on reducing landscape water use, while still providing adequate irrigation for plants to thrive.

Whether the commitment to reduce water consumption is improving conditions in an existing area or installing a new water-efficient landscape, a good irrigation plan and system is the best place to start.

Planning the design of the landscape is an essential part of achieving water savings. Identify the type of plantings desired in the area. With water conservation becoming so important, the practice of waterwise landscaping has increased in popularity. Waterwise plantings can be very attractive and unique.

Traditional turf/lawn plantings can be scaled back in more limited applications that will require less water but still provide a positive space. Planting turfgrass that is drought tolerant will also reduce the amount of irrigation needed. Creating designs throughout the landscape that minimize or eliminate water runoff can play an important role in conservation. Planting beds with contours that channel water runoff into basins that retain water will keep water where plants can use it.

Low-water-use plantings can take advantage of irrigation systems that are designed to deliver water at lower volumes than traditional irrigation systems. Drip irrigation is a proven practice that reduces water use while still providing enough water for plants to thrive. Using spray emitters designed to produce larger droplet sizes and proper coverage patterns deliver water more efficiently, which improves precipitation penetration and reduces the amount of water used. Planning a new landscape with a low-volume irrigation system and low-water-use plantings is a solid strategy to conserve water.

Top L: Hydro-zone markers are used throughout the Water Conservation Garden. Top R: Drip irrigation on a flower bed Bottom L: Check your irrigation system periodically throughout the season. Improving water conservation within an existing landscape where large changes in design are not possible can be attained by paying attention to irrigation system performance. Take time to check the system for leaking or wasted water. Loose or cracked fittings, obstructed spray heads and nozzles, and poorly aligned spray patterns are generally simple repairs and adjustments that make a big difference in saving water.

Considering how irrigation is applied to the landscape can have a significant effect as well. Watering during cooler times reduces evaporation. Best irrigation practices usually call for watering at night or early morning. Monitor to see when conditions are windy, and avoid watering during those times to reduce water drift and evaporation. Slope conditions create run-off that typically wastes water. To improve water penetration within the soil profile and to reduce runoff on a slope, use multiple short irrigation cycles with soaking cycles in between. Another irrigation best practice is to water deeply or for longer cycles where appropriate, but less frequently. Water only two or three times in a week as opposed to four or five, but for an extended run time. Weather conditions and seasonal changes should be considered when determining irrigation scheduling. Spring and fall seasons allow for reduced water use while still providing adequate irrigation needs. Consider installing a rain shut-off device to interrupt irrigation during significant rain events that will help reduce water usage.

Everyone should be interested in saving water for many reasons. As current weather conditions continue to raise water availabilty concerns, now is an important time to help with conservation. Thoroughly thinking about and planning a new water-efficient landscape, or just making simple improvements to an existing irrigated space, will bring positive results in water savings for years to come.

Chris Madson has been working with irrigation at Red Butte Garden for 18 years. He has a BS degree in geography from the University of Utah.

Irrigation Technician Tayler Belnap has been with the Garden for four years. He has a BS in peace and conflict studies and minor in political science from the University of Utah. Kurt Hauck is new to the Garden’s irrigation team. He has a BS degree in biology from Southern Illinois University.