| MAINTAINING
AN ESTABLISHED LANDSCAPE
Whether
you recently purchased a pre-owned home or have lived in the same
home for many years, the following recommended landscape maintenance
practices are essential for plant health and water conservation.
Many
recommended practices that favor plant health also conserve water.
The following is an overview of these practices.
 TREES
- Keep
turfgrass and other vegetation at least 20 inches from tree trunks.
This promotes faster tree growth and reduces competition for water.
- Do
not routinely fertilize landscape trees. Overfertilization (particularly
nitrogen) can result in excessive growth, requiring additional
water. Fertilize if nutrient deficiencies appear.
- Apply
mulch around trees, but keep it several inches away from tree
trunks. Mulch reduces soil evaporation, buffers soil temperature,
and reduces weeds. Remember to apply water long enough to soak
through the mulch layer into the roots.
- Avoid
soil compaction around trees, which results in poor water infiltration
and runoff.
- Control
weeds around trees. They compete for water.
- Irrigate
trees separately from surrounding vegetation whenever possible.
Drip systems (which include mini-sprinklers) are excellent for
this purpose. Consider using a water budget as outlined here.
- Irrigate
trees based on seasonal water demand. Preliminary research indicates
that many species do well on about the same amount of water as
warm season turfgrasses, or even less.
- Prune
trees when necessary. Remove dead and diseased wood, crossed limbs,
suckers, and weak vertical growth. Pruning stimulates additional
shoot growth, increasing the water requirement. Prune trees following
Western Chapter International Society of Arboriculture guidelines,
available from UC Cooperative Extension, San Bernardino County.
 SHRUBS
- Do
not routinely fertilize shrubs. Overfertilization (particularly
nitrogen) can result in excessive growth, requiring additional
water. Fertilize if nutrient deficiencies appear.
- Apply
mulch around shrubs.
- Avoid
soil compaction around shrubs.
- Control
weeds around shrubs.
- Irrigate
shrubs separately from surrounding vegetation whenever possible.
Drip systems work well for this purpose.
- Most
shrubs are water-efficient once established. Consider using water
budget method. Irrigate based on seasonal water demand.
 GROUNDCOVERS
- Do
not routinely fertilize groundcovers. Fertilize once annually
if nutrient deficiencies appear.
- Avoid
soil compaction.
- Control
weeds.
- Irrigate
groundcovers based on seasonal water demand. Consider using water
budget method. Preliminary research indicates that many species
do well when receiving about the same amount of water as warm-season
turfgrasses.
 TURFGRASSES
- Remove
thatch if over one-half inch thick.
- Control
weeds.
- Fertilize
moderately, applying low ends of recommended rates. If conditions
dictate, stop fertilizing altogether, except for potassium, which
promotes drought resistance.
- Aerate
as necessary to avoid soil compaction.
- Follow
the lawn watering guide.
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