This page presents six landscape design strategies to help make your landscape more water efficient. Consider incorporating some of these ideas if you decide to install a new landscape or to renovate an existing one.

Strategy 1: Zone plants according to water needs

Plants that need little additional water should be grouped together in planting beds. Likewise, those with high water requirements should be located near each other. When drought tolerant plants are placed next to high water consumers, they are often over watered.

It is also a good idea to keep turf grass areas separate from trees and shrubs since they have differing water requirements. Save high water use plants for areas where they will have the most impact, such as near entrances or patios.

Strategy 2. Use turf grass appropriately

Large expanses of turf grass require considerable water, fertilizer, and maintenance. Consider what functions turf grass serves in your landscape, and determine what size area will best meet these needs.

Your landscape will be more water efficient if the shape of the turf grass is easily irrigated. Avoid narrow strips of turf (less than 8 ft.)

Turf on steep slopes is difficult to irrigate and to mow. Consider drought tolerant ground covers instead. Terracing is another possible solution for handling steep slopes.

Strategy 3. Reduce runoff from site

Many sites are graded so any precipitation runs onto sidewalks and driveways and into storm sewers. A sensitive grading of the site can help retain water on the site for use by landscape plants.

Creating a slight swale in turf next to sidewalk reduces water runoff. Depressing the area between the sidewalk and the curb also helps to retain water.

A word of caution, this strategy is not well suited to soils that drain poorly.

Strategy 4. Careful use of windbreaks

Wind greatly increases the rate of transpiration from plants. Creating wind breaks for small plants can reduce their water needs. Windbreaks can create more air turbulence if not designed carefully. Also, summer breezes are often desirable around decks and patios.