Salt Lake City may border the Great Salt Lake, but that doesn\u2019t mean we have an unlimited water supply. Choosing a drought-resistant landscape is an eco-friendly, money-saving solution to water shortages in the Crossroads of the West.<\/p>
In summer, our snowy ski town transforms into a hot desert, and water supply problems have swelled in recent years. Salt Lake County and townships across the state have experienced extreme drought, and water reservoirs<\/a> have depleted to dangerously low levels.<\/p> So, how do you do your part to save water? Jump aboard the water-wise express! A drought-friendly landscape protects the water supply and gives your home more curb appeal. Let\u2019s walk through nine drought-resistant landscaping ideas for Salt Lake City. <\/p> A drought-resistant landscape is designed to thrive with little or no supplemental water. It consists of rocks, hardscapes, native plants, and other low-maintenance features that can withstand dry periods without withering and dying.<\/p> In Utah, about 60% of residential water use<\/a> is used for outdoor irrigation. That means you use more water for your grass than you do showering, washing clothes, drinking, and using the dishwasher combined! <\/p> Drought-resistant landscaping doesn\u2019t mean ripping out all your turfgrass, but it does mean rethinking where it\u2019s necessary and where it can be replaced by low-water features. <\/p> Designing a drought-resistant landscape is all about conserving water while transforming your lawn into a sustainable showstopper.<\/p> A xeriscape<\/a> is a water-wise landscaping solution that turns your thirsty turfgrass lawn into a colorful paradise. Xeriscaping is all about designing a sustainable space that can thrive on local rainfall levels. For us, that\u2019s about 11.4 inches of rain each year.<\/p> In Utah, our xeriscapes often include native plants like Utah serviceberry, bitterroot, crimson columbine, and prairie sagewort.<\/p> Xeriscapes feature:<\/strong><\/p> Cost: <\/strong>The price of a xeriscape depends on the size of your yard and what features you use in your landscape design. On average, a professionally designed and installed xeriscape costs between $3,600 and $22,349<\/strong>, but you could pay less than that. Utah Water Savers offers rebates through the Localscapes<\/a> program, which offers $2,000 for the average quarter-acre lawn. <\/p> What makes native Utah plants<\/a> so special? Well, they\u2019re specifically adapted to our climate, so they\u2019re experts at handling our hot, dry summers and snowy winters. While non-native plants shrivel up and die in summer or demand more and more water and fertilizer to survive, native plants don\u2019t need any water or fertilizer once established.<\/p> Native plants<\/a> are tough locals with deep roots, strong disease resistance, and a high tolerance for drought and heat. Plus, colorful native flowers attract pollinators like butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds. <\/p> Popular native plant selection for SLC:<\/strong><\/p> Cost: <\/strong>Native plant prices vary by size, shape, and species. Expect to pay $5 to $10 <\/strong>per small native flower, $20 to $100<\/strong> per native shrub, and $60 to $800 <\/strong>per native <\/strong>tree. Looking to replace the grass on the strip between your sidewalk and the road with native perennials? The Flip Your Strip<\/a> program offers homeowners up to $1.25 per square foot of converted lawn, so if your strip is 200 square feet, you can expect to receive at least $200. <\/p> \u201cUtah is a desert. How much rain could a rain barrel possibly collect?\u201d Actually, a whole lot. Scientists estimate that one 50-gallon rain barrel can capture up to 73% of the total yearly runoff<\/a> from a 1,000-square-foot roof. Even in SLC\u2019s scorching July, a single rain barrel can capture 262 gallons of water. That\u2019s enough water to fill more than six bathtubs!<\/p> While a rain barrel won\u2019t supply enough water for traditional turfgrass, it can give hardier plants exactly what they need during a dry spell. <\/p> If every house in a typical SLC neighborhood installed one 50-gallon rain barrel, stormwater runoff could be reduced by 12%<\/a>. That\u2019s 12% of outdoor water costs back in homeowners\u2019 (your) pockets.<\/p> A rain barrel is an excellent way to quench your yard\u2019s thirst, and it\u2019s an easy DIY project. The Utah State University Extension offers a handy video on how to build your own rain barrel<\/a>. <\/p> Tips for rain barrel success: <\/strong><\/p> Cost:<\/strong> You can purchase a 60-gallon rain barrel for about $70<\/strong> through Salt Lake City\u2019s rain barrel initiative<\/a>. If you prefer a different design or material, expect to pay $100 to $140<\/strong>. The materials for a DIY rain barrel total about $100<\/strong>.<\/p> Want to save water and keep plants healthy? Spreading mulch around your plants prevents water from evaporating so your soil stays moist and roots grow strong. <\/p> Mulch is vital to successful xeriscaping. To qualify for Utah\u2019s Localscapes program, you must cover planting beds with 3 to 4 inches of mulch<\/a>.<\/p> What is mulch?<\/strong> Mulch<\/a> is an organic or inorganic material \u2014 from leaves and wood chips to rubber and landscape fabric \u2014 that is spread over your soil, and it offers a host of yard benefits. <\/p> Mulch:<\/strong><\/p> Cost: <\/strong>Mulch typically costs $15.30 to $74.80 per cubic yard <\/strong>or $1.80 to $6.05 per 2-cubic-foot bag<\/strong>, depending on the quality and material. You can often get fresh wood mulch for free from local arborists and tree recycling centers.<\/p> A rock garden<\/a> is the perfect place to relax in nature after a long day at work. A serene space filled with local stones, beautiful boulders, native plants, and perhaps a garden bench is guaranteed to beat turfgrass every time, both in looks and water savings. <\/p> When it comes to slashing your water bill and cutting down on lawn maintenance, rocks are an excellent lawn addition. They don\u2019t require any water, trimming, or weeding, and they give your yard a stylish flair.<\/p> Install your favorite rocks and boulders \u2014 smooth or bumpy, round or rectangular (and anything in between!) \u2014 to add color and texture to your lawn. Accentuate rocks with pretty succulents, ornamental grasses, mulch, and perennial flowers.<\/p> Cost: <\/strong>Expect to pay between $400 and $1,000<\/strong> for professional installation, depending on the size of your rock garden and the materials you use.<\/strong> Lower the cost by using your own stones or buying boulders from your local quarry. <\/p> Like rock gardens, hardscapes don\u2019t need a drop of water. Hardscapes are non-living yard features (like stone patios, gravel paths, and wood decks) that save you the sweat of weeding and trimming, all while expanding your living space. Who doesn\u2019t want to have friends over for a backyard barbeque or spend an evening cozied up at the fire pit?<\/p> More hardscaping means less turfgrass. And less turfgrass means less watering, mowing, pesticide applications, and fertilizing. Plus, hardscape features add to your home\u2019s curb appeal and increase your property value.<\/p> Lawn hardscapes include: <\/strong><\/p> Pro Tip:<\/strong> Impermeable hardscape surfaces do not allow water to penetrate, which can force stormwater runoff. Choose an eco-friendly hardscape option like permeable pavers<\/a> to protect aquatic ecosystems from stormwater pollution.<\/p> Cost: <\/strong>Hardscape prices range based on the scope of the project, what type of hardscape you are installing, and what materials you\u2019re using. Pathways typically cost between $7 and $24 per square foot<\/strong> (a 100-square-foot paver path usually costs between $1,000 and $1,800). Patios range from $576 to $8,000<\/strong> and a deck ranges from $4,000 to $11,000<\/strong>. <\/p> Salt Lake City is no Seattle when it comes to yearly rainfall, so when the skies finally open, our landscapes need to absorb every precious droplet. But during storms, water often rushes right across our lawns into storm drains, which means we lose water and local waterways get polluted.<\/p> A rain garden<\/a> acts like a bathtub, stopping and holding rainwater so it has time to absorb into the soil. Rain gardens are basins filled with permeable soil, rocks, and deep-rooted native plants. They keep your soil moist and reduce runoff so you don\u2019t have to use as much water from your hose.<\/p> What makes rain gardens special? Rain gardens \u2026 <\/strong><\/p> Fun fact: <\/strong>The average home rain garden filters 30,000 gallons<\/a> of water per year. That\u2019s enough to fill two large swimming pools!<\/p> Cost: <\/strong>A DIY rain garden costs between $3 and $5 per square foot<\/strong>. <\/strong>A typical rain garden is 150 to 400 square feet, so expect to pay between $450 and $2,000. The cost of professional installation ranges from $10 and $15 per square foot<\/strong>. <\/p> Ready to seriously reduce your outdoor water use? Say \u201cso long\u201d to your sprinklers and install a drip irrigation system in its place. Sprinklers are only 50% to 70% efficient<\/a>, whereas drip irrigation is 90% efficient. With drip irrigation, you can keep your lawn nourished without wasting water. <\/p> Drip irrigation is a system of plastic tubing installed at ground level or beneath the soil surface. These tubes contain emitters that deliver water directly to plant roots, so water doesn\u2019t have a chance to evaporate before it\u2019s absorbed.<\/p> The problem with sprinklers: <\/strong>A large amount of water that sprinklers use never gets delivered to plant roots. Instead, it\u2019s lost to evaporation before it reaches the ground. Watering with sprinklers or a garden hose also causes erosion, which diminishes soil quality and plant health.<\/p> The drip irrigation solution:<\/strong> When you use a drip irrigation system, water is immediately absorbed by plant roots instead of evaporating. Drip irrigation is also gentler on your soil than sprinklers and garden hoses, so you don\u2019t have to worry about erosion.<\/p> Cost:<\/strong> Professional installation costs about $1.50 to $4.50 <\/strong>per square foot, or you can DIY a drip irrigation system for $20 to $200<\/strong>, depending on the size of your area. <\/p> Can\u2019t bear to part with the green grass look? Artificial grass<\/a> (AKA artificial turf) will keep your lawn evergreen without the maintenance of living grass, so you can ditch the fertilizer and pesticides and toss the mower out the window (well, figuratively!). <\/p> Artificial grass is made of heat-resistant plastic and comes in a variety of shades, textures, and lengths, so you can choose the best look for your lawn. After it\u2019s installed, you\u2019ll just have to give it an occasional rinse to keep it clean. Artificial grass gives you the turfgrass look without the constant watering and weeding. <\/p> Cost:<\/strong> Professional installation of artificial grass costs between $4.95 and $20.60 per square foot<\/strong>.<\/p> There\u2019s a wealth of financial and environmental benefits to being water-wise. Here\u2019s why Salt Lake City homeowners are opting for drought-resistant lawns.<\/p> Drought-resistant landscapes:<\/strong><\/p> No, that\u2019s a myth! Rain barrels are completely legal in Utah now. On May 11, 2010, Senate Bill 322<\/a> went into effect, which allowed for the legal harvesting of rainwater all across the state. <\/p> <\/div> Check out the U.S. Drought Monitor to stay up-to-date about Utah\u2019s drought status<\/a>. This helpful website shows Utah\u2019s drought conditions from 1895 to today. Scroll over the map to see drought levels across the state, from abnormally dry conditions (D0) to exceptional drought (D4). <\/p> <\/div> Choosing a mulch depends on your lawn priorities and aesthetic preferences. If you primarily want to protect roots and improve your soil, go with organic mulch (like wood chips or compost). If you want to prevent weeds and give your lawn a sleek design, inorganic mulches (like river rocks and gravel) are ideal. Drought-resistant plants are hardier than drought-tolerant plants. Drought-resistant plants can survive without water for long dry spells, whereas drought-tolerant plants can survive on minimal water for shorter periods. <\/p> <\/div> If you\u2019re a busy bee in the Beehive State and don\u2019t have time for weekly lawn care, a drought-resistant landscape is an excellent choice. Water-wise landscapes require much less maintenance than turfgrass.\u00a0 A drought-resistant landscape saves money, water, and energy, all while keeping our community and climate healthy. And who knows? Your beautiful xeriscape or rain garden may inspire your neighbors to hop aboard the water-wise train, too.<\/p> If spending the weekend spreading mulch or installing drip irrigation makes you want to head for the hills (or the Wasatch Mountains), call in the pros. You can cheer on the Utah Jazz as they sweat it out on the court and leave the yard sweat to a team of Salt Lake City lawn care experts<\/a>.<\/p> Main Photo Credit: Allan Sharp | Flickr<\/a> | CC BY-SA 2.0<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Salt Lake City may border the Great Salt Lake, but that doesn\u2019t mean we have an unlimited water supply. Choosing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":31,"featured_media":7538,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"off","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","fifu_image_url":"","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[182],"tags":[495],"class_list":["post-7535","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-utah","tag-lawn-care-salt-lake-city-ut"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/rsz_147693728761_22c6d48091_h.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Maille Smith","author_link":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/author\/maille-rose-smith\/"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7535","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/31"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7535"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7535\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7538"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7535"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7535"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lawnlove.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7535"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}What is a drought-resistant landscape?<\/span><\/h2>
9 drought-resistant landscaping ideas<\/span><\/h2>
1. Xeriscape<\/span><\/h3>
2. Native plants<\/span><\/h3>
3. Rain barrel<\/span><\/h3>
4. Mulch<\/span><\/h3>
5. Rock garden<\/span><\/h3>
6. Hardscapes<\/span><\/h3>
7. Rain garden<\/span><\/h3>
8. Drip irrigation<\/span><\/h3>
9. Artificial grass<\/span><\/h3>
Why choose a drought-resistant landscape<\/span><\/h2>
FAQ about drought-resistant landscaping in Salt Lake City<\/span><\/h2>
Go drought-resistant with a pro<\/span><\/h2>