For those in the hot and dry climates like New Mexico and Arizona, lawns are not recommended because the inputs (food, water, maintenance) are incredibly high and do not fit the local climate region. In fact, in the City of Tucson, water rates became so high that beautiful, native desert landscapes have become the norm. For all regions, instead of lawns, consider planting native, indigenous low-water plants, which is called xeriscaping. This approach creates hardy plantings that can survive your climate significantly better, and dramatically reduces your need to weed n’ feed. These differing types of ground cover, depending on your region, could be tall grasses, sedum plants, clovers, and creepers. The more biodiverse your yard is, the greater the resiliency it will have.
Larger Plants = Larger Benefits
Once you have addressed your yard, consider looking at the larger plants, the trees, and shrubs on your property. Summers are getting hotter, no matter where you live. Our use of air conditioning is becoming more standard in many climates, but traditionally we would have sat outside under the shade of a tree and enjoyed a lovely drink in the cool breeze. Think about where you could enjoy the shade, and how the trees and shrubs leaf in the summer, and the movement of the sun. Choose a native or adaptive tree that will create shade for you and your family. For allergy sufferers, remember to pick low pollen trees and shrubs. Shrubs will help cool the hot air blowing as the air moves through the darker depths of the shrub. Keep in mind that the ground cover you are using must be shade tolerant, so it does require a whole yard approach to happy, healthy plants.
The location of those shade trees and shrubs can help keep your home cooler in the summer as well. The south and west sides get very hot in the later parts of the day. Shade trees and shrubs help keep the air conditioning off longer, reducing your energy bills. Also, consider where your air conditioning compressor is located. Is it in the afternoon sun, working extra hard? If you can’t move it, try to shade around it, which will reduce your energy bills inside the home when you have to turn it on. (This will also help buffer some of the noise.)
Where Does Your Water Come From?
Most of us water our gardens with water from the house: potable, safe, drinking water. This water contains chlorine to help keep our water supply safe, but it really is not ideal to take expensive, metered water, and throw it on the yard. Plants don’t need chlorinated water; in fact, they would prefer not to have it, as it is a biocide and is harmful to human and animal health. Rain barrels or rainwater harvesting systems are worth the time and effort, and depending on where you live, are mandatory. For those regions where it is not, consider capturing rain as best as you can, starting with rain barrels and scaling up as you get used to it. Your plants and soil will love you for it.
If you have a rainwater capture system, water as much as you can with the rainwater harvested water first, starting out with the more delicate and/or newer plants, to give them the healthiest water possible. Use the city water for the hardier plants and areas, with the goal of switching all of it to rainwater down the road.
Timing of Watering
While all plants need water, ideally, they get it from naturally-occurring sources such as rainwater. For those extreme hot summers, consider the timing of your watering. Water when the plant benefits the most, which is oftentimes early in the morning. Watering in the middle of a hot sunny day is not ideal, as much of the water simply evaporates. Do not set up the sprinkler and walk away; neither should you have your in-ground sprinkler system run every day. Irrigation controllers can help reduce outdoor water usage and take the guesswork out of watering. Remember though, brown grass in late August is pretty normal for most regions, and part of the life cycle of the plant.
Bottom Line
Just like the interior of our houses, our yards can be healthier. Focussing on the soil, and the roots of plants, ensuring they have the nutrients and water that they need is key. By choosing grasses, plants, shrubs, and trees that thrive in your climate, you will create a space that can be enjoyed by you, your family, the greater community of animals, birds, bugs, and microbes together. Think of it, not as your yard but your own personal ecosystem.
