How can you grow more efficiently and save water in your Texas garden? Making water-wise choices is more important now than ever. With more knowledge and awareness, you can make a difference when using this essential resource.
Water-wise gardens are designed to conserve water and protect the environment. They are easy to maintain with nutrient-rich soils and adequate weed control. While plants require regular watering to thrive, adding attractive water-conserving plants to your landscape can help address the issue and support our beneficial wildlife and world.
Ready to grow? We are here to help! Creating a thriving water-wise garden is easy with these 4 simple steps.
STEP 1: Start with a Plan & Choose the Best Plants for Your Landscape
Did you know plants can help save water? They are one of the most beneficial resources for regulating water availability. Choosing the best plants for your landscape can establish a better balance in your local ecosystem, preventing soil erosion, water runoff, and pollution.
Start with a plan in mind for your water-wise garden, and consider your native soil along with its draining capabilities, access to water, and sun exposure. Identify areas with high water use, low spots where flooding can occur, or steep slopes where water runs off. With a little planning, you can design a thriving low-water garden.
Adding native and drought-tolerant plants to your garden is important. These water-wise landscaping plants often have a stronger resistance to pests or adverse weather conditions and once established, they require minimal watering. They are essential to supporting beneficial pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, especially during our Texas summers.
Utilizing trees and shrubs in your garden can help reduce soil and air temperatures nearby. Keeping your growing areas cool and protecting them from direct sun exposure can greatly decrease water loss from your plants and soil. These attractive water-conserving plants can help stabilize our soil, reduce soil erosion and water runoff, and they clean our air and water.
Choose water-wise perennials and annuals to complete your design and experience the benefits of colorful, drought-tolerant blooms in your Texas garden. They will flourish through our Texas summers and are less water-demanding than other varieties. Try water-wise flowers such as Marigold, Lantana, Zinnia, or Pentas for vibrant annual color, or explore beautiful perennials including Coreopsis, Lavender, Coneflower, or Salvia. These fantastic plants will support beneficial pollinators, add color to your greenspace, and utilize water more effectively.
Need help with your landscape? Try Landscape Design & Installation! Book your design online and one of our professional designers will schedule a home visit to discuss your gardening goals. From the time your project is started, we always maintain easy communication between you, the designer, and the project manager. Our team will work with you to create a custom digital plan and personalized installation proposal for the water-wise garden of your dreams! And if you book before June 2, 2024, you will receive 50% off your design fee!
- DFW & CEDAR PARK: calloways.com/dallas-landscape-design
- HOUSTON AREA & GALVESTON: calloways.com/houston-landscape-design
STEP 2: Prevent Weeds with Landscape Fabric
Before you start planting, create a weed barrier with landscape fabric. Weeds will compete with your plants and steal essential resources such as water and nutrients that your plants need to thrive. Lining your garden beds with landscape fabric will reduce the infiltration of weeds, while still allowing water, nutrients, and oxygen to filter through the plant.
DeWitt Weed-Barrier® Premium Landscape Fabric is a favorite for professional gardeners. The strong and durable laminated, spun-bound fabric creates extra light blockage to prevent future weed growth.
STEP 3: Use Quality Soil, Mulch & Compost
Improving the soil quality in your Texas garden will create a better draining system, add beneficial nutrients, and increase moisture retention in the soil.
The soil in your landscape has likely been depleted of its nutrients from the recent rain and our chilly winter. Your plants will greatly benefit from a fresh soil application and the addition of rich, organic matter.
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have the highest-quality soils and organic compost available! Created by our local experts, our premium soils were specifically formulated for your Texas garden. Designed with a top-of-the-line blend of organic materials and water-saving ingredients to provide a balanced and nutrient-rich environment for your plants to thrive.
Mulching your flowerbeds, and around your trees and shrubs, does more than complete the look of your garden, it acts as natural insulation to protect your plant’s roots. It helps retain soil moisture, decreases weed development, reduces erosion, and adds beneficial organic matter that plants crave.
Mulch reduces water use by preventing evaporation and allowing your plants to absorb water at a steady rate. It also regulates soil temperature protecting delicate root systems.
Applying a layer of mulch that is at least 2 inches thick will provide the ideal protection your plants need. Pull the mulch away from the base of any tree or shrub to prevent root rot and water in thoroughly. The shredded wood will mat together to form a protective covering over your plant’s roots that won’t wash away.
Complete your water-wise garden with the best mulch to retain water and add nutrient-rich organic matter. At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we have a wonderful collection of 100% organic mulches for your Texas landscape. From our Organic Hardwood Mulch, ideal for flowerbed and vegetable gardens to our insect-repelling Cedar Mulch, we have something for every area of your landscape.
STEP 4: Conserve Water with Soaker Hoses
When it comes to watering your garden, make every drop count! Efficient watering practices will save water and help plants develop healthy and strong root systems.
Soaker hoses conserve water by delivering it directly to your plant’s roots so nothing is wasted through evaporation. It keeps the soil moist, and your plants dry, so they stay vibrant and healthy. Using soaker hoses will reduce water waste in your flowerbeds, raised beds, and lawns.
For the ultimate slow-soaker, water like the experts with the Flexon™ Weep & Soak Hose. The non-clogging porous design provides even soaking action above or below the ground. They are best used for drip irrigation, vegetable gardens, flowerbeds, and landscapes.
Shop with Ease
At Calloway’s and Cornelius, we are here to help with all your water-wise gardening needs! Visit us today and explore our stunning collection of vibrant blooms, pretty perennials, impressive trees and shrubs, stylish pottery, lush indoor plants, and so much more! Shop any of our 28 neighborhood stores, where we have served our loyal customers for over 35 years.
Have questions? No worries! Ask our Texas Certified Nursery Professionals; they are here to help!
