After years of drought restrictions and drought many of us may be wondering why we have lawns at all. It’s time to lose the lawn.
Factor in the chemicals, fuel, water, labor and regulations associated with lawn care, and it’s a wonder why anyone would want a big yard. Some people have simply let their lawns die.
And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. But you don’t have to go to that extreme.
- Reducing a typical landscape from 75 percent lawn area to less than 50 percent can shrink your outdoor watering significantly, as drought-tolerant perennials and shrubs use less than half the amount of water that grass does.
- Expanding garden beds with mulch alone or combining with a pervious hardscape also reduces outdoor watering needs.
- Hand-watering is the most efficient method of irrigation because it helps create a deep water profile in the soil. So the smaller your lawn, the better the odds of keeping it green.
Another important note about watering by hand: It’s the only watering method allowed any day and time during drought restrictions.
