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TRANSCRIPT
2015 University of California County Extension
Yolo County Master Gardeners
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Creating a Sustainable Landscape What You Can Do? The 2015 University of California Master Gardeners of Yolo County Display Garden illustrates many elements of a sustainable landscape to give you ideas and motivation to create a home landscape that is attractive, appropriate for our climate, and fits the conditions of your location while using a minimum of resources. Resources like water or fossil fuels as well as the valuable resource of your time. We want to show you how to be good stewards of our environment and do all that you can to ensure that we have a healthy, well-functioning ecosystem for ourselves and for future generations. Incorporating sustainable practices into how you design and manage your home landscape is something that you can do. Because you work on your landscape over a period of time, let’s look at both the short term and the long term to create a sustainable landscape. Short Term Sustainable Landscape Goals:
Reuse Green Waste—Create compost and mulch
Right Plant, Right Place—Select plants that are appropriate for your location
Save Water—Use the right plants, reduce irrigated turf and prevent runoff
Recycle & Reuse—Use reusable materials for your landscape like used bricks, tiles, or broken concrete
Long Term Sustainable Landscape Goals:
Improve the permeability, aeration, and drainage of your soil
Get a soil analysis to determine the needs for your situation. Use only the fertilizer and soil amendments that are necessary
Enhance plant diversity in the landscape to discourage plant pests and provide habitat for beneficial insects and birds
Our 2015 Display Garden—Reduce, Reuse, Recycle—is full of ideas that we hope will inspire you to take steps toward your own more sustainable home landscape.
Features of a Sustainable Landscape:
Permeable Paving - allows rain to soak into ground instead of running off
Rain Barrel - allows for collection and reuse of rain that falls on roof
Rain Garden - allows rain water to soak into ground instead of running off
Dry Creek - channels water from downspout to rain garden
Hedge Wind Break - breaks intensity of strong prevailing winds
Mulch - reduces moisture loss, keeps soil cooler, suppresses weeds
Drip irrigation - directs water only where needed, minimizes loss due to evaporation
Deciduous Shade Tree - shades house from afternoon sun in summer, allows sunlight through in winter
Alternatives to Lawn - Use less water, provide color, interest, and sources of food for butterflies, birds and bees
Reduce Runoff and Save Water
Creating a sustainable landscape that saves water is more just watering your plants
less. A sustainable landscape saves water and prevents runoff by:
Using the right plant for the climate and location
Reducing high-water plants like turf
Watering efficiently with the best irrigation practices
Using permeable materials for walkways
Creating rain gardens and bioswales
Capturing rainwater with rain barrels
Rain Gardens
A rain garden is a shallow, constructed depression that is planted with deep-rooted
native plants & grasses. It is located in your landscape to receive runoff from hard
surfaces such as a roof, a sidewalk and a driveway. Rain gardens slow down the rush
of water from these hard surfaces, hold the water for a short period of time and allow it
to naturally infiltrate into the ground.
A rain garden can be thought of as a personal water quality system because it filters the
runoff from your roof and lawn and recharges the groundwater.
A rain garden also conserves municipal water resources by reducing the need for
irrigation.
Rain gardens are a beautiful and colorful way for homeowners, businesses and
municipalities to help ease stormwater problems. There is a growing trend by
municipalities and homeowners to incorporate natural processes to help relieve flooding
and pollution.
Resources
How to Build a Rain Garden: http://ucanr.edu/sites/scmg/files/122826.pdf
http://www.raingardennetwork.com/raingardenis.htm
http://vienna-wv.com/images/raingarden.jpg
http://www.watershedcouncil.org/learn/rain-gardens/images/how-rain-garden-works4.jpg
http://www.betterground.org/rain-gardens/
West Sacramento Water Wise Workshop, Yolo County Resource Conservation District
Benefits of Permeable Surfaces in Sustainable Landscaping
What is a permeable surface? What is an impermeable surface?
Permeable surfaces (also known as porous or pervious surfaces) allow water to
percolate into the soil to filter out pollutants and recharge the water table.
Impermeable/impervious surfaces are solid surfaces (often driveways, patios, and
walkways) that don’t allow water to penetrate, forcing it to run off.
The more impervious surfaces on a site, the more runoff there is. The consequence of
runoff is an increased speed of water flow, which cannot be absorbed into the ground as
readily, increases erosion, and dumps an excessive amount of pollutants into one spot.
Also, due to the heat-absorbing quality of some materials, sites with high ratios of
impermeable surfaces increase the surrounding air temperature. For this reason,
incorporating more permeable surfaces can create a cooler area.
What are examples of permeable surfaces?
Planting beds
Mulched beds
Bark or walnut hulls
Sand/Crushed stone/Gravel
Brick/Stone with gravel or planting in between
Permeable pavers
Turf
Creative ways to use permeable surfaces:
Replace solid driveways with porous alternatives, or use impervious paths for the
car with green plant materials in between. Solid concrete can also be broken up
with decorative and functional paver inlays.
Use pervious concrete, a cement-based concrete product that has a porous
structure allowing rainwater to pass directly through the pavement and into the soil.
Design using green spaces between hard spaces and be sure to grade paved
areas towards the planted areas.
Interrupt walkways with small planting beds and creeping groundcovers such as
thyme to help slow storm water flow and create a more aesthetic space.
Green walls - Build small out-pockets and planters on the sides of retaining walls.
These are visually interesting and will help absorb water and reduce runoff.
Examples of permeable surfaces:
Resources
Rebecca Pineo, Botanic Gardens Intern & Susan Barton, Extension Specialist, University of
Delaware (2009) http://ag.udel.edu/udbg/sl/hydrology/Permeable_Impermeable_Surfaces.pdf
http://www.recycleworks.org/greenbuilding/sus_impervioussurfaces.html
Rainwater Catchment Systems
A water catchment system collects rainwater from a large, hard surface, such as a roof.
Water travels down the roof, into the downspouts which are connected to some type of
container, such as an enclosed barrel or cistern. The water is then saved for future use.
Over time, water catchment systems make an impact. The average 1000 square-
foot roof collects approximately 600 gallons of water during a 1-inch rain.
It is important to remember that the collected water is considered non-potable and
should only be used for watering non-edible plants or washing your vehicle.
Rainwater catchment systems range from simple to complex. A plain barrel or container
serves a small area. More complicated versions incorporate filters that clean the water,
connections to irrigation equipment and even pumps. Most barrel-type systems
incorporate a hose connection to allow for easy watering.
Resources
http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=11630
Reduce Yard Waste and
Use Recycled Materials
Deal with yard waste in a sustainable way. Instead of sending it to the landfill, reduce
the amount you create and recycle and compost what you can.
Reduce Yard Waste
Select the right plant for your landscape to reduce pruning.
Weed often so weeds are small.
Apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch around plants to prevent weeds.
Use a mulching lawn mower instead of collecting lawn clippings.
Compost
Compost turns yard waste, food scraps, shredded paper and leaves into rich soil
that enriches your plants.
Compost saves water by retaining moisture and reducing runoff.
Compost reduces landfills.
Recycle, Upcycle, Repurpose
Recycle plastic pots and nursery flats.
Return nursery flats to the nursery.
Use sticks and branches as plant supports.
Cans, egg cartons, yogurt containers make great seed starters.
Turn old hoses into bucket handles, earwig traps or stake covers.
Get free 5-gallon buckets from restaurants, bakeries and grocery stores.
Landscape in Harmony
Right Plant, Right Place
Select plants that are appropriate for your location. Plants that do well in Yolo County
require less water and less work, can withstand high winds, and provide habitats for
beneficial insects and birds. Choose the right sized plant to fit the space. Also planting
in the best location can create windbreaks and shade, ultimately lowering energy use.
Right Plant
Choose waterwise or drought-tolerant plants that thrive in Yolo County.
Select native California plants.
Plant a variety of plants, which can provide habitats for beneficial insects and
reduce damage from diseases.
Reduce turf and replace with waterwise plants or permeable surfaces.
Right Place
Plant shrubs and trees that are the right size for the space.
Plant large deciduous shade trees on the east, west and southwest sides of the
house. Avoid planting them directly south of the house where they will block
winter sun.
Shade air conditioning condensers for more efficient operation.
Plant trees and shrubs to block the wind.
Waterwise Container Gardening
Generally container pots need to be watered more frequently but they can be an
appropriate choice for a sustainable landscape.
Choose waterwise plants.
Mulch pots with moss or wood chips.
Use drip or micro spray irrigation to efficiently and effectively water containers.
For large pots use irrigation bags.
Consider putting containers in the shade and use shade tolerant plants to reduce
water use.
Use gray water to water containers.
Plants for County Fair Display 2015
Vitex agnus-castus ‘Cooke’s Blue’ chaste tree Heteromeles arbutifolia toyon Arctostaphylos densiflora ‘Howard McMinn’ Vine Hill Manzanita Cornus stolonifera redtwig dogwood Buddleja davidii ‘Attraction’ butterfly bush Dodonea viscosa ‘Purpurea’ purple hopseed bush Lantana ‘Dallas Red’ lantana (2) Lantana ‘New Gold’ lantana (2) Vitus californica ‘Roger’s Red’ California wild grape Gaillardia x grandiflora ‘Mesa Peach’ blanket flower Salvia blepharophylla eyelash sage Salvia guaranitica ‘Black and Blue’ black and blue sage Salvia chamaedryoides germander sage Bulbine frutescens orange cape balsam (2) Bulbine frutescens yellow cape balsam (2) Ceratostigma plumbaginoides dwarf plumbago Ceratostigma willmottianum Chinese plumbago Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldstrum’ black-eyed susan Zauchneria (Epilobium) garrettii ‘Orange Carpet’ Orange carpet California fuchsia Eriogonum grande rubescens red buckwheat Asclepias curvassavica milkweed Ipomoea batatas ‘Marguerite’ sweet potato vine Carex divulsa Berkeley sedge Juncus patens ‘Elk Blue’ California gray rush Festuca cineraria ‘Elijah Blue’ blue fescue Russelia equisetiformis firecracker plant Crassula ovata jade plant x Graptosedum ‘California Sunset’ Echeveria ‘Perle von Nurnberg’ hen and chicks
Resources
Arboretum All Stars - http://arboretum.ucdavis.edu/plant_search.aspx
Sustainable Landscaping in California - http://ucanr.edu/sites/YCMG/files/189607.pdf
http://agadapt.ucdavis.edu/farmscaping/
http://www.extension.org/pages/60990/water-conservation-for-container-
gardens#.VbfzYqRVhHw
Reduce Harm to Habitats
We sometimes think that all insects are enemies, so use chemical fertilizers to encourage
growth and poisons to kill pests. Unfortunately, most are indiscriminate and kill beneficial
organisms, too, upsetting the natural balance, and, when it rains, the chemical runoff
poisons our groundwater, rivers and bay. Using Integrated Pest Management (IPM)
methods is a better way to control pests and keep a healthy, natural balance in your
garden. IPM techniques can be as simple as planting companion plants to attract
beneficial insects, picking harmful insects off plants or spraying them with water.
Friends You Should Invite Into Your Garden!
Ladybugs — This aphid loving beetle is worth its weight in gold.
Lizards — Alligator lizards will search dark basements, garages and bushes for their favorite meal – black widow spiders.
Spiders — The average spider eats about 100 insects a year.
Toads — One toad can eat between 10,000 and 20,000 slugs, flies, grubs, cutworms or grasshoppers per year.
Bats — Besides being a valuable pollinator, bats consume large quantities of insects. A single little brown bat can catch 600 mosquitoes in one hour.
Bees — In California alone, forty-two different nut, fruit, vegetable, forage and seed crops rely directly on bee pollination.
Green Lacewings — Green Lacewings will eat mites, mealy bugs and other small insects but their favorite meal is aphids.
Ground Beetles — Ground beetles' favorite insect meals are cutworms, grubs and root maggots. Some even love slugs and snails. To invite them into your garden, place a log or board at one end of your garden.
Hover Flies — These flies look like little flying helicopters. They feed on flower nectar, which makes them excellent pollinators. Their favorite meals are aphids and mealy bugs.
Hummingbirds — These small birds consume more than half their total weight in food.
Creating a Pollinator Garden
When you look at a flower, how often do you consider the importance of these unsung
heroes? Pollinators help produce beautiful landscapes and the bounty of fruits, nuts and
vegetables we all enjoy.
Bees, wasps, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles, birds and bats help plants reproduce by
carrying pollen from one flower to another.
Right now, honey bee and other pollinator populations are being threatened by a
number of factors including disease, mites, and loss of habitat and food sources.
Three-fourths of the world's flowering plants depend on pollinators, and those pollinators
need your help!
Have you seen bees and other pollinators in your own neighborhood?
Are there flowering plants in your garden, park, school or community?
Did you know that many pollinators are essential for the production of most of the
fruits and vegetables you eat every day?
Things to Consider for your Garden:
A variety of plants will be ideal for providing diverse sources of nectar and pollen.
Choose at least 20 different plant types, or fewer if the types of plants are highly
attractive to pollinators. Don't forget that night-blooming flowers will support
moths and bats.
1. Help pollinators find and use your garden by planting in clumps, rather than
just single plants. Think about "landing zones."
2. Include plants native to your region. Natives are adapted to your local climate,
soil and native pollinators. If you want to see some locals, plant some natives!
3. Overlap flowering times between seasons and use a wide variety of plants
that bloom from early spring into late fall. Pollinators are in a constant search for
new resources. Choosing plants with overlapping flowering times from February
to October will allow bees and pollinators to continually forage in your garden.
4. Consider plant climate zones. Plant for success! A plant's native climate range
is important in determining if it will be attractive to bees visiting your garden (and
if your plant will grow well in your garden or not!).
5. Design a garden that has structure. The arrangement of plants in your garden
will influence your ability to observe and enjoy pollinators. Plant the tallest plants
in the back with the smaller ones in the front.
6. Plant in the sun. Bees prefer to visit flowers in the sun, so avoid planting your
pollinator-attracting plants in the shadier parts of your garden.
7. Reduce or eliminate pesticide use in your landscape, or incorporate plants that
attract beneficial insects for pest control. If you use pesticides, use them
sparingly and responsibly. Pesticides can kill bad insects as well as beneficial
insects like bees, ladybugs and other predators of garden pests.
8. Don't forget about nesting bees! Not all bees have a hive. Make sure to leave
some areas for bees to build their nests (either in bare ground or in prefabricated
cavities in wood). It's ok to leave part of your garden un-mulched for ground-
nesting insects to discover.
9. Leave dead tree trunks and branches in your landscape for wood-nesting bees
and beetles. By leaving dead trees, or at least an occasional dead limb, you
provide essential nesting sites for native bees, but make sure these are not a
safety hazard for people walking below. You can also build a bee condo by
drilling holes of varying diameter about 3 to 5 inches deep in a piece of scrap
lumber mounted to a post or under eaves.
10. Provide clean water for pollinators with a shallow dish, bowl, or birdbath with
half-submerged stones for perches.
11. Create a damp salt lick for butterflies and bees. Use a dripping hose, drip
irrigation line, or place your birdbath on bare soil to create a damp area. Mix a
small bit of salt or wood ashes into the mud.
12. Provide a hummingbird feeder and add to nectar resources. To make
artificial nectar, use four parts water to one part table sugar. Never use artificial
sweeteners, honey, or fruit juices. Place something red on the feeder. Clean your
feeder with hot soapy water at least twice a week to keep it free of mold.
Resources
http://ucanr.edu/sites/PollenNation/
http://www.recycleworks.org/compost/sustainable_gardening.html
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/