5 TIPS for Watering YOUR Plants like an Expert

Watering Plants is not as easy as people may think. To properly Water Plants requires nuance. Your yard can be taken to the next level by following a few of our tips. 

1. Every Plant needs a different amount of Water

Depending on what kind of plant it is - whether the plant is a tree, shrub, or flower bush - the plant will require different amounts of water in order to thrive. How much water a plant needs usually is directly proportional to the size of their roots. A small annual plant is going to require less water than a 42-year-old Oak Tree. Make sure you do your homework on how much water your plants need.

2. Water your Plants on a Consistent Schedule 

Making sure you water your plants on a consistent schedule is a great way to make sure that your plants prosper. You can water your plants manually at the same time every day but the easiest way is to set up your sprinkler system to water the plants at a specific time. Keep in mind that during the hotter months, you might want to water your plants in the early morning before the suns comes up, because the morning sun can cause the water to evaporate too quickly, causing plants to wilt and die because of a lack of water. 

3. Water your Plants at the Right Time of Day

The seasons should dictate your watering schedule. For example, if you water your plants in the middle of the day during the summer, the water may evaporate too quickly, leaving your plants susceptible to drying out and dying. Your best bet is to water your plants in the early morning before the sun rises. Depending on where you live, what kind of plant you have and the time of year are things to consider when setting up your watering schedule. 

4. Water your Plants using Drip Irrigation

Drip Irrigation is the most efficient way to water your plants, thus you’re not only saving money on your water bill but you’re also saving the earth’s water. Drip Irrigation uses hoses with punctured holes along the hose. The hose is then laid throughout your garden where it will deliver water straight to the root of the plants, hence you are using water more efficiently and wisely. 

5. As Plants Mature you need to their Adjust Water Amount

As plants mature, their watering needs will change over time. As the plant matures and gets bigger so will their roots thus the plant will need more water as it gets older. Hence, as your plants mature you will need to spend more time watering your plants or you will need to adjust the water levels of your sprinkler system. Be sure to be aware of your plants health and needs as they mature.

TOP 2020 Sustainable Landscape Design Trends

Interest in sustainable design and being eco-conscious are both on the rise especially in places where droughts are common like Los Angeles. So we’ve created a list of the top trends in sustainable design for 2020.

Proper Drainage

Proper Drainage is one of the most important factors to keep in mind if you want your outdoor space to be more environmentally friendly. We suggest installing gutters and gutter guards onto your roof top edges this will divert a good deal of the rainwater from your patio and backyard helping prevent rain water from flooding your yard and creating unnecessary runoff. We suggest adding a slotted system for your patio to properly drain the water from your patio. A slotted system is a essentially a long drain that is installed next to your patio to collect the water and properly dispose of it, preventing the water from running off and  polluting public water with debris and toxic pollutants. 

Plants that soak up excess water:

Planting plants such as Boxwoods and Maple trees will help curtail the amount of excess water that your yard gets when it rains. The shrubs and the grass that borders your garden will protect your garden while the roots of the tree will absorb the water. Hence not only are you protecting your softscaping investment but also recycles the water by having the trees soak up the excess water. 

Outdoor flooring and Patios:

If thinking about adding a deck or flooring we suggest using Thermally Modified Wood as the choice of wood for your deck. Thermally Modified Wood decays slower than normal wood because the process of Thermal modification. Through heating the wood to over 185 to 215 degrees fahrenheit the heat removes organic compounds from the wood cells, so it will not absorb water, expand, contract, or provide nourishment for insects or fungi.

The most environmentally friendly option for your Patio is permeable pavers. Permeable Pavers allow for the rainwater to flow through its joints passing through a gravel base that filters out pollutants before the water is able to reach the ground. Meaning your drains will not overflow thus no runoff which carries debris and toxic pollutants to public sewers and public bodies of water.

Sustainable landscape is the all the rage especially here in Los Angeles if you follow a few of these tips your yard will be exponentially more environmentally friendly. If you feel like you would like or need assistance in this endeavor do not fret, simply fill out our FREE Estimate to speak to one of our professionals who will gladly go over with you what the best options for you and your outdoor space and we are a full service Landscape Contracting company so we can take you from design to your dream environmentally friendly backyard.

Sustainable Landscape Design

Sustainable Landscape design is a strategic landscape design method aimed at being proactive in the mitigation of negative environmental effects. It ranges from the types of materials used to create hardscapes, to the types of plants that are planted in the landscape to the type of lighting installed. 

Examples of how Sustainable Landscape Design may be implemented into your home:

Patio:

The materials that a Patio is made out of greatly contributes to the sustainability of one's backyard.  For example, a concrete patio does a poor job of absorbing rain water causing storm drains to overflow and pollute public water with debris and toxic pollutants. A more environmentally friendly option for your Patio is permeable pavers. Permeable Pavers allow for the rainwater to flow through its joints passing through a gravel base that filters out pollutants before the water is able to reach the ground. 

Plants:  

Sustainable Landscape Design implores the use of native plants that grow naturally in your region. Plants that grow naturally in your region have already adapted to your climate, meaning the plants need less water and artificial pesticides than their non-native counterparts. 

Lighting:

The ideal lighting system for Sustainability is a LED lighting based system. LED Lighting Systems consume leaves a lower carbon footprint because the system consumes considerably less energy than a fluorescent light system. By using a LED Lighting System you also eliminate the use of toxic chemicals that have been known to be found in conventional lighting systems.

In sustainable landscape design a bit can go a long way. We encourage you to keep in mind the ideas in this article when you prepare to renovate your landscape. Want to get started on your Sustainable Landscape Project simply fill out our contact form to speak to one of our experienced designers and for a FREE estimate.