We’re helping shrink the education funding gap by donating $213 million in SmartControllers™ to schools all across America. You can help by spreading the message.
This summer, millions of commercial property owners will face the reality of some of the most severe water restrictions in history. Many cities in the western U.S. are limiting outdoor watering to 1 day a week or less.
To combat this, many property owners and sustainability directors are taking drastic measures to revamp their grounds with drought resistant landscaping options.
In this post, we’ll examine various drought resistant landscape options and their pros and cons. Then, we’ll reveal a surprising alternative that can save just as much money and water without sacrificing green lawns or plants!
Zeroscaping as Drought Resistant Landscaping
Zeroscaping involves replacing most of your property’s plant life with gravel and dirt that is better as drought resistant landscaping.
Pros:
Easier maintenance than a traditional landscape with a lawn, trees, shrubbery, and flowers.
Cons:
Lacks design and planning
Creates a barren, sterile landscape of gravel and maybe a boulder or a palm tree or cactus.
Overuse of gravel can increase the temperature around plants, resulting in even more water use.
Gravel heats the surrounding area by worsening the “heat island effect” created by asphalt and concrete.
Gravel does not stop weeds.
Decomposed granite used in zeroscapes doesn’t allow enough nutrients to sustain the complex micro-biology necessary to make healthy soil.
Xeriscaping as Drought Resistant Landscaping
Xeriscape is a landscape design that uses low-water-use or drought resistant landscaping plants that require little to no supplemental irrigation. In a xeriscape, you replace verdant lawns with drought resisting landscaping native plants, cacti, succulents, ground covers, mulch, sand, soil, rocks, gravel, pebbles, footpaths, pavers, patios, and fire pits.
Pros:
Promotes a cooler, less stark environment than a zeroscape.
Decreases the amount of time needed for landscaping work by you over the long haul.
Cuts back significantly on your water bill and water consumption
Cons:
The amount of work needed in the early stages of your landscape installation will be significant
Can cost you more money than you will recoup by years of less water use.
Your property will have a much more sparse aesthetic than it probably had before
The lack of “green, green grass” may reduce your property’s curb appeal
Doesn’t support native ecosystems.
Hardscaping as Drought Resistant Landscaping
Hardscapes are non-living landscape features that can work well as drought resistant landscaping (like stone patios, gravel paths, and wood decks).
Pros:
Walkways reduce the chance of trip and fall accidents caused by uneven ground.
Paths demonstrate your company’s commitment to accessibility for all employees, clients, and visitors.
Easier maintenance than a traditional landscape with a lawn, trees, shrubbery, and flowers.
Cuts back significantly on your water bill and water consumption
Cons:
Creates a barren, sterile landscape
Stone and gravel heat the surrounding area by worsening the “heat island effect” created by asphalt and concrete.
Less moisture retention for the soil underneath
Installation and material costs can get pricy.
Artificial Grass as Drought Resistant Landscaping
Artificial grass is a surface made from synthetic fibers that mimic natural grass. It is primarily used in arenas where the grass is typically needed for sports. However, it is also being used on residential lawns and commercial properties.
Pros:
Doesn’t need fertilizer, or mowing.
Modern artificial grass often looks as good as natural grass.
Cons:
Smothers the living soil beneath it
The manufacturing process of this petroleum-based product generates waste and pollution. Even though it is often made with recycled materials, it is not biodegradable. As a result, after a long life of 15 to 25 years, it will ultimately end up in a landfill.
Direct sunlight causes it to feel extremely hot.
Requires water use to keep it cool.
For more information on landscaping for conservation, click here.
A Smarter Alternative: AI-Powered Irrigation Systems
Although each of the above provides some level of water savings, each comes with significant disadvantages and eliminates the cool, natural beauty of a green landscape.
But what if there was a way to keep your verdant lawn, bushes, trees, and flowers and cut back significantly on water costs and consumption?
There is!
Smart Rain’s AI-powered irrigation system guarantees you’ll save a minimum of 20% on your water usage. This is how much water the average xeriscape saves. However, with Smart Rain, you can have the same savings without having to redo your landscape.
Here are some of the pros of the Smart Rain System:
Keep your green lawn, trees, and bushes
Save 20-50% on your water consumption
Save millions of dollars on your utility bill and billions on your water consumption
Pay an affordable monthly subscription for ongoing savings
