Building Green Homes
Native Species
Watering the lawn consumes around 10,000 gallons of water every year. Most people tend to over water their lawns. A simple test to see if a lawn needs watering is to step on the grass and if it springs back up, the grass does not need watering. Grass consumes the highest percentage of irrigation water and requires the most maintenance. Only using grass where it is necessary, for example in a recreational area, can decrease the demand of water in a home significantly. Also it is smart to choose grass that can survive drought periods such as St. Augustine and Bermuda grass. Cutting grass when it reaches above 2 inches, not before, allows for roots to grow deeper into the soil, increasing drought resistance.
In areas where grass is not necessary, planting native and low water using plant species is the best way to reduce water consumption. Native plants require little to no more water than the natural rainfall of that region. Not only does this conserve water but it decreases maintenance costs, reduces soil erosion, and conserves natural resources. Choosing plants that thrive in the home’s region of the country, given climate, soil type, amount of sun, and rainfall will allow for the best results. Native species are adapted to the soil and climate of their region so fertilizers are usually not needed. Keep as many existing trees and plants as possible because established foliage requires little to no water or maintenance. [1]
