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Water-Saving Landscaping for Resiliency:
Barriers & Opportunities
From the Office of Governor Dayton, 2/27/17:If Minnesota takes …action now, we can improve and safeguard our state’s environment …for generations to come. Minnesota has experienced three 1,000-year floods since 2004. The state’s moose herd has declined by 50 percent. Minnesota’s spruce, fir, aspen, and birch forests have retreated toward Canada, as changing temperatures make our state an inadequate climate.
Concentrated rains and larger rainfalls—less dispersed through growing season
Strange to talk about landscaping to save water?!!
Water Wise Landscaping: Overcoming Obstacles & Development Review Process
Continuing problems seen on development project landscape designs
• Plans not done by certified landscape architects, done by civil engineers or ??
• Inadequate tree root area• Invasive species specified, lots of mowed
turf; few specs on drought tolerant types or where to buy seed; last item on budget
• Few native grasses or pollinators specified; don’t know how to find or care for them
Japanese Barberry is now on MN Dept. of Ag. Noxious Weed List, as escaping
Amur Maple on invasive list awhile & still showing up on landscape designs
Trees & Development Review memos suggest alternatives, not do
design for them; no invasives Use the 10-20-30 rule. Recommends that no
more than 10% of trees are of the same species, no more than 20% of trees are of the same genus, and no more than 30% of trees are of the same family. Makes plantings resilient to pests
Create larger areas for trees in commercial plantings; tree boxes, deeper, better soils, fewer skinny raised “coffins” to make watering more effective
Increase shade tree diversity of species: fewer maples, especially Autumn Blaze
(freemani crosses) or next invasive pest could take out our #1 tree of the moment!
Phyto-bigotryOr developers & property maintenance staff are notnuts about nuts. Swamp White Oak, at right
Or PODS: Kentucky Coffeetree
Protect and Nurture Shade Trees! Don’t avoid native oaks, hickories, lindens if site
right, just because of acorns and helicopters. Increase bark rings!! A LOT BIGGER! No stone.
Saves water!! (Lawn mower and string trimmer disease reduced too)
Decrease turf. Under trees AND any place that isn’t useful for play or walking, less H2O!
Consider how Codes for landscaping prevent the results you want
Imagine lawn here instead of perennials & native grasses bringing nature, outdoor play to high density projects
Water Wise Landscaping and City Codes/Code Enforcement
Summer water use higher, odd/even watering ban not working everywhere
What prevents re-tooling irrigation? Price of summer water services and lack of budget prioritization. Required in landscaping code?
University of MN, turf proff Sam Bauer: golf course mgmt., drought tolerant mixes, new seed mixes for parks & golf course mgmt.
Smart Irrigation and Seed Mix Roles in Water
-Get Rid of Skinny Lawn Panels-Use low-mow varieties-Do we need that much traditional lawn in the front &side yards?
Lawn Mowing Ht. Issues & Short Native Grasses example: Little Bluestem-18”
Natives selected for desirable attributes are out there: ‘Blue Heaven’ bluestem is upright &
bluer than species but still a clump. Suitable for mid/drier areas. Most importantly, not easily mistaken for a weed!
Northwinds SwitchgrassClump-forming grasses about 5’ tall.Dropseed (below)is low, border plant,fine texture.
At Sustainability trainings or in communications, ask people to edge between plantings and turf grass lawns so native plantings are not easily mistaken for unmowed lawn. If needed, ADD signs!
Water Wise LAWN CARE for municipalities & maintenance companies
Low Input Landscapes & Turf:Mowing: Higher!!
Use products for life cycles of plants & pests. Use UMN-Extension & MPCA research
Stop mowing lawn when dormant
HIGHER STILL! Maintain at 3” or higher=less water, mow more often
Keep mower blades sharp
Leave clippings on the turf
Timing is Everything
Mississippi Watershed Mgmt.
Organization Turfgrass
Maintenance with Reduced Environmental
ImpactsMarch 21, 8-2:30Photo courtesy of MWMO
Low Input Landscapes:Maintenance
Use water bags for trees to trickle soak Use hardwood shredded mulch to retain
moisture in summer, adds organic matter to the soil as it decomposes. Ask, sometimes it is free!
Keeps mowers away from trees
Photo: Anoka Conservation District
Example from: University of MinnesotaSt. Paul Campus – Watershed District Project
Pollinators in Yards, Parks, Rights of Way and Commercial
Projects: Nuance bloom timing to Maximize Benefits for
Food Crops, Plus Deep Roots
Asclepias: wetland and upland types of butterfly weed
Monarda:Bee balm
Early summer bloomer
Liatris:Wandflower (mid to late
bloomer)
Monarchs and goldfincheslove it!
UMN presentation photo
Asters (late)
Final Thoughts about Maximizing Plantings, Trees,
Open Space for Water Conservation and Stormwater?
