Sustainable Landscaping Fact Sheet No. 7.243 Gardening Series|Yard By J.E. Klett and A. Cummins* What does the term 'sustainable soil amendments. Many non-native plants Quick Facts landscaping' mean? There are varying establish more quickly and develop a definitions but sustainable landscaping healthier root system with the addition of • When designing a sustainable should include an attractive environment organic soil amendments. landscape, long-term success that is in balance with the local climate and Improving the overall condition of your is accomplished through a requires minimal resource inputs, such as soil—including permeability, aeration and series of short-term goals. fertilizer, pesticides, gasoline, time, and drainage—is a slow process. The addition water. Sustainable landscaping begins of organic materials such as composted • A functional and attractive with an appropriate design that includes grass clippings, manure, and fall leaves, design will be unique to a functional, cost efficient, visually pleasing, can improve soil condition over a period specific site and should be environmentally friendly and maintainable of time. Garden soil that provides good based on a careful review areas. For additional information, see fact water retention and both oxygen and water process. sheet 7.220, Colorado Gardening: Challenge permeability (loam texture) may take 10 or to Newcomers and 7.228, Xeriscaping: Creative more years to create. Incorporate 3-4 cubic • Identify what inputs are Landscaping. yards of organic matter per 1,000 square currently excessive. There are short-term as well as long- feet per year. Be sure that organic matter is • Develop a budget and term goals for a sustainable landscape. For incorporated completely into the existing timeline that are realistic and example, a short-term goal may include soil. For more information on soils, see celebrate the accomplishment saving water or installing and using a Garden Notes #711, Vegetable Garden Soil of each short-term goal. compost bin. Composting locally grown Management and Fertilization, 0.502, Soil crops and kitchen waste and returning it Test Explanation, 7.235, Choosing a Soil back to the garden increases soil organic Amendment, and 7.236, Landscaping on matter and helps plant growth. See 7.212, Expansive Soils. Composting Yard Waste for more information Base fertilizer applications on a soil on composting techniques. analysis and specific plant requirements (see A long-term goal may be to create a more 0.500, Soil Sampling). Many annual flowers or self-sustaining garden. This includes all bedding plants and vegetables have a higher aspects of total plant health care, proper plant nitrogen and phosphorus requirement than selection, reduced inputs and maintainability. herbaceous perennials, shrubs and trees. Some native plants can actually decline from too many applications of fertilizers. Soils, Composting Most have lower nitrogen and phosphorus and Fertilizers needs, having adapted to the lower fertility Much of Colorado has heavy, clay soils. conditions of Colorado native soils. Clay texture can lead to poor water and Determine the fertilizer requirements for oxygen penetration. In addition, Colorado your individual situation. Excessive fertilizer soils often lack organic material. To improve application is not a sustainable practice. plant health, soil amendments are often necessary. Irrigation The choice of a soil amendment greatly depends on what is being planted. Native Often, a portion of Colorado is in, or plants may be adapted to local soil conditions on the verge of a drought. Average annual © Colorado State University and might not necessarily benefit from moisture for the Denver Metro area is Extension. 3/05. 10/11. www.ext.colostate.edu *J.E. Klett, Colorado State University, professor and Extension landscape horticulture specialist; A. Cummins, Colorado State University Extension, horticulture agent, Douglas County. 10/2011 Sustainable landscaping means using water Therefore, shading the south and west side Appropriate Design appropriately and avoiding waste. See fact will contribute to summer cooling. See As part of the design process, answer sheets 7.239, Operating and Maintaining 7.225, Landscaping for Energy Conservation a Home Irrigation System and 4.702, Drip for further information. the following questions: Irrigation for Home Gardens. Often two large deciduous trees can • How will the space be used? provide sufficient summer shading for a single family home. Consider the mature • What are the site conditions? Is Hardscape Selection size of tree species before planting; plant the there a need for renovation? The choice of building materials for trees far enough from the house to avoid • What is the timeline and what is the the landscape is extensive. Explore options foundation problems. Avoid fast-growing budget? for utilizing reused materials in your species that are weak-wooded and easily landscape. For example, used bricks or break in wind or snow. See 7.419, Large • How much time will be needed to broken concrete can be used for retaining Deciduous Trees for appropriate selections. maintain the landscape? walls or raised beds. Also, recycled plastic material may be an appropriate choice for Plant for Wind Protection • What resource uses are too high? decking or fences. However, an example of Cold winds can penetrate a building • Visually, what look is trying to be inappropriate recycled materials for use in in the winter and may be responsible for achieved? a garden is the use of creosote-impregnated some heat loss during windy days. In railroad ties to build a raised bed. The Colorado, prevailing winds blow from the chemicals used to treat the wood can leach northwest, therefore, landscaping for wind into the soil and are not safe to use near protection should be concentrated on the food crops. north and northwest sides of the building at approximately 12 to 14 inches. The Front a distance of one to three times the mature Range is a high plains desert with the Plant and Turf Selection height of the trees. Evergreens provide the San Luis Valley, Arkansas Valley and most wind protection. See 7.403, Evergreen the Western Slope exhibiting even drier Select the right plant for the right place. Trees for appropriate selections and 7.225 conditions. Therefore, water conservation Plants not adapted to the local environment Landscaping for Energy Conservation. is essential. Prevent water loss through require more resources. Plants placed evaporation by using organic mulches. Add in inappropriate growing conditions Slopes 3 to 4 inches around flower beds and under (lighting, moisture, temperature, etc.) An appropriately graded site should trees but avoid mounding mulch against become stressed and are more prone to provide drainage away from permanent tree trunks as this practice can encourage pest problems. Plants suited to Colorado, structures. Steep slopes should be terraced disease and insects. whether native or exotic, are more with a series of raised beds or planters to Group plants that have similar water sustainable. Always consider the mature reduce erosion potential. requirements together. Designate parts of size of the plant prior to placement in the your landscape for higher or lower water landscape. use. For example, place a vegetable garden A principle of sustainable landscape is Landscape design begins with an in the higher use area and a native shrub to limit the amount of irrigated turf to areas understanding of the future use border in a lower water use area. of high use by the homeowner. Select turf Using irrigation technology to species adapted for your location and use. of the property. Lot size, house reduce water use is an important rule of For more information on plant and turf size, local covenants and budget sustainable landscaping. Consult with a selection see Garden Notes #561. all play into the design planning certified irrigation technician or a certified process. A professional landscape landscape irrigation auditor and request a designer or architect can assist Dealing with Diverse Sites water audit of existing systems. Consider with the construction planning and drip or sub-surface irrigation for more Plant for Shade plant selection. The design process efficient water use. Regular maintenance Use deciduous plants to create shade in generally includes: of existing systems is necessary to assure the summer to help cool the home, while efficient water utilization. allowing light penetration in the winter as • a base plan Even if the system is new, irrigation solar heating. Evergreen trees planted close • site inventory and analysis heads may need realignment and to the home can create shade year round adjustment to prevent overspray onto the and block winter sun. • construction documents sidewalk or street. Sprinkler systems should South and west facing parts of the house • implementation be designed for uniform coverage with receive the most intense sunlight; north some overlap. Irregular patterns will create and east exposures are generally cooler. • maintenance dry areas interspersed with overly wet areas. Landscape Lighting often increases beneficial organism Implementation sequence: Municipalities and other government populations. Beneficial organisms include • Obtain permits and locate agencies are moving toward decreasing birds, insects, and microorganisms. Multiple plantings of a single species are underground utilities light pollution. For these reasons, incorporate appropriate light schemes