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Green Summit Presentation

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Xeriscape principles promote water-efficient landscaping through practices like grouping plants by water needs, improving soil, and using mulch and efficient irrigation. However, these principles alone do not create truly sustainable landscapes, as they only address water use. Going beyond Xeriscape involves utilizing other water sources like rainwater harvesting and graywater, as well as considering energy and material resource consumption. Homeowners can make smart adjustments like using gas fireplaces instead of wood burning, installing solar lighting, and choosing locally-sourced materials to create environmentally-friendly outdoor living spaces.

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Michael Dollin Beyond Xeriscape Green trends in residential design
 
What is Xeriscape? The city of Denver publicized 7 gardening principles that use water wisely: Plan and design Practical turf areas Select and group plants appropriately Improve the soil Mulch Efficient irrigation Maintain the landscape These principles are relevant and applicable to residential landscapes and are a great starting point for a sustainable approach to landscape design.
Xeriscape zones
Xeriscape zones TRANSITION OASIS ARID / LOW WATER
Oasis Zone Transition Zone Arid Zone
 
 
Xeriscape is just the beginning Xeriscape principles have made a great impact on the environment, however it is important to realize that they are 2 decades old and only address water consumption for landscapes. Landscapes consume resources other than water, and reducing the amount of water without considering other important tradeoffs will not create meaningful sustainability in the landscape. There are many green trends and technologies that will allow us to approach landscape design in a more comprehensive way.
Beyond Xeriscape Xeriscape principles address reducing the quantity of irrigation water required to be drawn from the infrastructure grid. Other methods can be used as primary sources of water to supplement or replace the consumption of municipal water for irrigation. Graywater utilization goes beyond Xeriscape by reusing water already expended from the infrastructure grid for a primary use. Rainwater harvesting utilizes natural rain water, and does not draw any water from the infrastructure grid. Reclaimed water is provided by some municipalities. (Tertiary effluent non-potable water) Reuse of residential waste water from sources such as pool equipment and water softener backwash, and a/c and evap cooling condensate. It is possible to be greener in our consumption of other natural resources as well solar and wind power can supplement or replace use of energy from the infrastructure grid.
The Organic Approach Compost tea Organic Compost mulch
The Organic Approach Layers of plant material for microclimate grown in organic compost mulch groundcover
Organic gardening Naturalized organic garden adapted to microclimate
Organic gardening Worm casting trays Pumpkin and tomatillo patch
 
What you can do at home Livability of outdoor “rooms” is important to quality of life. Rather than eliminate features, or add on to your interior space, make smart adjustments outdoors: Gas fireplaces instead of wood burning (cleaner-burning) Efficient water features of appropriate scale Solar lighting instead of electric Install timers on lighting and water features Smaller swimming pool surface area or pool covers to control evaporation Install a spa or “spool” instead of large swimming pool Chlorine-alternatives: salt-water Alternatives to electric pool equipment: solar Passive solar orientation Synthetic turf instead of natural Outdoor kitchens – get outside, eat real food, spend time with the family Water softeners should use potassium chloride or charcoal not sodium chloride Compost your yard and organic waste Consider other amenities in lieu of pool, such as bocce ball, fireplace or water features
What you can do at home Features you can add to your landscape Rain gardens in depressions that naturally collect water Compost bin to reduce trash and create organic soil amendments for the garden Plant a vegetable and herb garden Edible and medicinal landscape plants (they do double duty) Citrus trees Pecan trees Fig Trees Pomegranate shrub Mesquite (aged pruned branches can be used on grill or in fireplace) Rosemary Prickly Pear (pads and fruit) Aloe (used to heal burns on skin) Rainwater harvesting through earthwork and cisterns Porous paving (water infiltration) Provide wildlife habitat (food, water, shelter) Choose locally available materials, especially reclaimed and recycled materials
 
Open cell pavers allow water to infiltrate the ground instead of runoff into street Photo by Bill Timmerman
A gas firepit does not pollute the air like a wood burning fireplace Photo by Michael Woodall Photo by Norm Plate
A modest amount of water is used in this water feature, yet still has the look and sound of running water Photo by Michael Woodall
An example of drought tolerant and native plants Photo by Michael Woodall
Conclusion Build/renovate an environmentally responsible outdoor room outside instead of a “bonus room” inside Cost per square foot inside is $100+; cost outside is around $10 Feasible in our climate Outside rooms don’t need to be air conditioned/heated when not in use like an indoor room

More Related Content

Green Summit Presentation

  • 1. Michael Dollin Beyond Xeriscape Green trends in residential design
  • 2.  
  • 3. What is Xeriscape? The city of Denver publicized 7 gardening principles that use water wisely: Plan and design Practical turf areas Select and group plants appropriately Improve the soil Mulch Efficient irrigation Maintain the landscape These principles are relevant and applicable to residential landscapes and are a great starting point for a sustainable approach to landscape design.
  • 5. Xeriscape zones TRANSITION OASIS ARID / LOW WATER
  • 6. Oasis Zone Transition Zone Arid Zone
  • 7.  
  • 8.  
  • 9. Xeriscape is just the beginning Xeriscape principles have made a great impact on the environment, however it is important to realize that they are 2 decades old and only address water consumption for landscapes. Landscapes consume resources other than water, and reducing the amount of water without considering other important tradeoffs will not create meaningful sustainability in the landscape. There are many green trends and technologies that will allow us to approach landscape design in a more comprehensive way.
  • 10. Beyond Xeriscape Xeriscape principles address reducing the quantity of irrigation water required to be drawn from the infrastructure grid. Other methods can be used as primary sources of water to supplement or replace the consumption of municipal water for irrigation. Graywater utilization goes beyond Xeriscape by reusing water already expended from the infrastructure grid for a primary use. Rainwater harvesting utilizes natural rain water, and does not draw any water from the infrastructure grid. Reclaimed water is provided by some municipalities. (Tertiary effluent non-potable water) Reuse of residential waste water from sources such as pool equipment and water softener backwash, and a/c and evap cooling condensate. It is possible to be greener in our consumption of other natural resources as well solar and wind power can supplement or replace use of energy from the infrastructure grid.
  • 11. The Organic Approach Compost tea Organic Compost mulch
  • 12. The Organic Approach Layers of plant material for microclimate grown in organic compost mulch groundcover
  • 13. Organic gardening Naturalized organic garden adapted to microclimate
  • 14. Organic gardening Worm casting trays Pumpkin and tomatillo patch
  • 15.  
  • 16. What you can do at home Livability of outdoor “rooms” is important to quality of life. Rather than eliminate features, or add on to your interior space, make smart adjustments outdoors: Gas fireplaces instead of wood burning (cleaner-burning) Efficient water features of appropriate scale Solar lighting instead of electric Install timers on lighting and water features Smaller swimming pool surface area or pool covers to control evaporation Install a spa or “spool” instead of large swimming pool Chlorine-alternatives: salt-water Alternatives to electric pool equipment: solar Passive solar orientation Synthetic turf instead of natural Outdoor kitchens – get outside, eat real food, spend time with the family Water softeners should use potassium chloride or charcoal not sodium chloride Compost your yard and organic waste Consider other amenities in lieu of pool, such as bocce ball, fireplace or water features
  • 17. What you can do at home Features you can add to your landscape Rain gardens in depressions that naturally collect water Compost bin to reduce trash and create organic soil amendments for the garden Plant a vegetable and herb garden Edible and medicinal landscape plants (they do double duty) Citrus trees Pecan trees Fig Trees Pomegranate shrub Mesquite (aged pruned branches can be used on grill or in fireplace) Rosemary Prickly Pear (pads and fruit) Aloe (used to heal burns on skin) Rainwater harvesting through earthwork and cisterns Porous paving (water infiltration) Provide wildlife habitat (food, water, shelter) Choose locally available materials, especially reclaimed and recycled materials
  • 18.  
  • 19. Open cell pavers allow water to infiltrate the ground instead of runoff into street Photo by Bill Timmerman
  • 20. A gas firepit does not pollute the air like a wood burning fireplace Photo by Michael Woodall Photo by Norm Plate
  • 21. A modest amount of water is used in this water feature, yet still has the look and sound of running water Photo by Michael Woodall
  • 22. An example of drought tolerant and native plants Photo by Michael Woodall
  • 23. Conclusion Build/renovate an environmentally responsible outdoor room outside instead of a “bonus room” inside Cost per square foot inside is $100+; cost outside is around $10 Feasible in our climate Outside rooms don’t need to be air conditioned/heated when not in use like an indoor room