5d • General discussion
No Rain? No Snowpack?
🌧️ No rain. No snowpack. Let’s talk about preparing for a water-scarce summer.
We’ve shared a couple recent big projects lately, but I want to zoom out for a minute.
We’re heading into spring with very little moisture in the soil and almost no meaningful precipitation over the winter. That usually leads to two things by mid to late summer:
💧 Higher water bills🚫 Increased watering restrictions
The good news? This is one of those problems you can prepare for now instead of reacting to later.
🛠️ What homeowners can do right now
🌱 1. Reduce thirsty lawn areasEven shrinking lawn spaces a little makes a big impact. Lawn is by far the biggest water user in most yards.
🌱 2. Improve your soil before summer heat hitsHealthy soil holds moisture longer. Compost and organic amendments matter more than people realize, especially in Utah’s clay soils.
💦 3. Convert spray irrigation to dripDrip irrigation puts water exactly where plants need it and dramatically reduces waste from wind and evaporation.
🧩 4. Group plants by water needsMixing high-water and low-water plants forces everything to be overwatered. Proper grouping is one of the biggest water-savers there is.
🌼 Plants that actually thrive with low water in Utah
These aren’t “barely surviving” plants. These are plants that look better once they’re established.
🌿 GroundcoversIce plantSnow-in-summerCreeping thymeCreeping juniperKinnikinnick
🌸 PerennialsYarrowPenstemonSalviaSundancer daisyBlanket flowerSulphur buckwheat
🌾 GrassesLittle bluestemBlue oat grassFeather reed grassTufted hairgrass
🌳 Shrubs and structure plantsRussian sageLavenderMahoniaRabbitbrush
🌞 The big picture
When designed correctly, these landscapes:💧 Use a fraction of the water🌿 Look good year-round🧹 Require far less maintenance
This summer doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive if you plan ahead. Even small changes now can save a lot of water and money later.
💬 If you’re unsure where to start, ask questions here or reach out.Planning early is always easier and cheaper than reacting mid-summer.
—John🌱 Natural By Design
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No Rain? No Snowpack?
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