Landscape Planning

You may be surprised by the variety, beauty, and ease of landscaping that uses water efficiently and supports a healthy environment. All it takes is some proper planning. Find tips on a variety of landscaping topics such as fertilizing, soils, native plants, trees, rain gardens, and rainwater harvesting by watching brief videos in the Rain It In series. 

Right Grass, Right Mow

Think about your grass as millions of individual plants, each needing room to grow, air for its root system, water during its active growth stage, fertilization and proper maintenance. Check this list of turf grass to help you choose the right grass for your yard, and consider maintaining your lawn organically. 

Limit Lawn Area

Planting drought-tolerant plants instead of grass may require less water and fewer chemicals. A large variety of colorful, flowering, low-water plants flourish in our climate. Choosing plants native to North Carolina that flourish during dry spells and are possibly more resistant to pests and disease allows you to conserve water, time and money. Many are also favorites of butterflies and hummingbirds.

Soil Preparation

Know your soil and amend it appropriately. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture (NCDA) provides soil testing for free. You can pick up a soil test kit to send in at the Stevens Nature Center at Hemlock Bluffs Nature Preserve. Watch this brief video for soil tips. 
Consider adding organic matter such as compost to increase the soil's water and nutrient holding capacity. Compost also helps:

 

• Reduce runoff and flooding
• Improve fertility by keeping nutrients near plant roots
• Attract earthworms and other beneficial organisms
• Reduce turf stress caused by drought, heat and cold

Mulch

Spreading a layer of organic mulch, 2 inches thick, around and between plants helps conserve soil moisture, allowing you to water less often. Mulching also helps control thirsty weeds and reduces your dependence on chemical herbicides.