Episode Eleven: Landscaping

Water-Wise Landscaping

"Today it's all about landscaping and water usage. Can we design and install landscaping that provides beauty and bounty while needing very little water and upkeep? Can we design a system to capture rainwater for all our watering needs? And can we use bamboo for creative design elements? We're gonna find out, and so are you, today on Building Green."

— Building Green host Kevin Contreras

Green Extreme

What's the greenest garden of all? One without any green -- a rock garden. As Kevin explains, if you're into a Zen look, rock gardens require zero water, and only an occasional raking.

Rainwater Catchment

Kevin visits Richard Heinichen to learn all about rainwater catchment.

Because Kevin has a metal roof, it will shed all water (even morning dew) to drain pipes. Kevin has attached the drain pipes to pipes that run through a filter and then to a cistern. Kevin has three 1,700 gallon tanks buried on his property to hold all the collected rainwater.

The tanks are connected and a pump is installed so the rainwater can be used wherever it is needed. As Kevin explains, the water will not clean enough to drink, but will be great for all of his plants.

Gray Water

To learn more about Kevin's gray water system, read our guide to Episode Ten: Water.

Plant Selection

Kevin visits the green resource center at Global Green in Los Angeles to discuss plant selection with resources coordinator Monica Gilchrist.

Monica tells Kevin about the possibility of creating habitats for bees, butterflies and birds in his yard. She explains that it is important to decrease turf and increase native plants in order to conserve water.

Kevin and Monica discuss artificial grass, which requires no water and is a good option for golf courses, baseball fields, and home yards. Today's faux grass is much softer than yesterday's astroturf.

Monica also mentions satellite based watering systems that only water lawns when it is appropriate based on the weather. Edible planting is also a good idea and justifies a bit more water usage as you will be eating what grows on those plants.

Plant Location

Kevin uses a solar pathfinder, to determine the best location for each plant. The pathfinder indicates which areas of the yard will be in the shade during different times of year.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Before even beginning construction, Kevin's landscaper Gordon Hopkins had topsoil at the construction site set aside so it the nutrient-rich material could be used in the yard.

Kevin also uses old, leftover wood from the construction site to make a compost bin.

Landscaping

Gordon chooses plants that are gorgeous and drought tolerant for Kevin's yard. Rosemary and lavender are wonderfully fragrant, but require very little water.

Lawns, on the other hand, can require massive amounts of water. In the U.S., lawns cover 30 million acres of land. Upkeep of lawns accounts for 45% of our country's water usage, costing us $45 billion dollars annually.

Kevin's tips for being water-wise with your lawn:

• Aerate lawn once or twice a year
• Water only when the sun is low on the horizon
• Mow the law at no less than 3 inches tall
• Water to depth of 12 inches of soil moisture
• Use sprinkles that throw large drops of water in a flat pattern
• Choose a native sod and organic fertilizers and pesticides

Kevin's property already has a number of fruit trees (apricot, peach, orange, pineapple guava, pear, walnut, and even a macadamia nut tree). And he adds lime, nectarine, apple, lemon guava, and a bamboo trellis to grow grapes and passion fruits.

Visit the Environmental Bamboo Foundation to find out more about this amazing grass.

Outdoor Shower

Because Kevin loves the outdoors, he has a simple outdoor shower built.

Saving Green

By choosing native plants and trees that bear fruit you can save on water bills and food costs.

Building Health

Building Green health expert Alyssa Alvord explains that the pesticides we use on our plants and lawns can be easily tracked into our homes, where they will negatively affect our health. It also drifts into the air and can affect your neighbors and areas where children play.

Permaculture

Kevin invites permaculture expert Larry Santoyo over to his house to do an analysis of the whole property.

Easy Steps

Save money and water by putting all your sprinklers, water lines, and even hose watering on timers. This way you won't ever accidentally leave water running in your yard.

Next week on Building Green: Interior Design