making landscaping beautiful and beneficial

It's time to landscape your new home but your community is undergoing drought restrictions. You don't want to leave your yard looking like a barren wasteland. You also don't want to waste valuable water trying to take care of the new plants. So, how do you landscape your yard without wasting water? Here are a few tricks to having a beautiful yard with minimal water usage.

Add Some Pea Gravel to Your Garden Soil

The longer the soil stays moist, the less water you're going to need.  Some soil just naturally retains enough moisture. If you water your plants only to have the soil dry again in a matter of minutes, you may need to add some pea gravel. The small pieces of gravel will allow pockets of water to remain in the soil, which will keep your plants wet longer.

Plant Ground Cover Instead of Grass

Lawns require a great deal of water, especially during the summer. Instead of planting large quantities of grass, try planting ground cover instead. Ground covers, such as ice plants and ivy, require very little water and will look beautiful all year round.

Avoid Crowding Your Plants

You can have a garden without wasting water. When planting your flowers or plants, be sure to space them far enough away from each other. Plants that have to compete for root space or nutrients will require additional water. The farther apart you place your plants, the less water you will need to use.

Go Heavy On the Mulch

Heat can dry out your soil. That means that your plants are going to require additional water throughout the day. You can help retain moisture by placing several inches of mulch in your gardens. The mulch will prevent water from evaporating too quickly, which will allow it to absorb deeper into the garden.

Use Water Effectively

Instead of turning a sprinkler on in the evening, water by hand in the morning. Sprinklers tend to disperse the water all over the garden, which means that most of the water will be wasted. Water your plants in the morning, before the sun has had a chance to heat up the soil. Turn the water on low and soak the areas around the base of each plant. The water will soak into the roots and keep the plants wet longer.

You don't have to settle for a dirt yard, even if you do live in a drought-affected area. Whether you're landscaping a new home, or adapting your landscaping to the present water situation, you can use these simple tips to beautify your yard and save water. For assistance, talk to a professional like Affordable Cuts.