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Irrigating Plants on the Colorado Plateau

Green / Sustainable Irrigation Systems

You can achieve tremendous savings in labor, materials and water using this method. It requires a reevaluation of how we landscape our urban lands and a commitment to landscape restoration with native plants. You can save water by...

  • Using site-appropriate native plants
  • Planting during seasons when rain is likely or when water needs are lower.
  • Supplementing water for plant establishment only when necessary using temporary reusable irrigation systems.
  • Implementing a landscape that emphasizes shade trees and ground cover with native grasses and shrubs.

Recommendations. Consult with a native plant specialist to determine what plants are best suited to your location.

  • Look for plants that have been grown from locally collected seeds and cuttings.
  • Plant trees and shrubs from the onset of monsoon season through the mid fall (early October)
  • Plant perennial flowers and grasses from the onset of monsoon season through early fall (mid September.)
  • Provide supplemental irrigation manually or through a surface drip line attached to your hose bib. These lines can be removed and reused once plants are established.
  • Use automatic surface systems only when necessary and reprogram them for changing seasons.
  • Follow our watering guidelines.

Conventional Irrigation Systems

For years, automatic, in-ground irrigation systems delivering water from sprinklers or drip emitters have been the norm. These systems require a great deal of material and labor to install and, unfortunately, have a tendency to waste tremendous amounts of water. Water is wasted when:

  • Water loving, non-native, inappropriate plants are chosen for a landscape because it’s so easy to deliver water from the system.
  • The systems are not reprogrammed for changing seasons or conditions such as rainy weather.
  • The systems are not maintained and repaired. For example, leaking valves or emitters continue to drip even after a plant has died or been removed.

Recommendations. For those who have an existing system or want the convenience such a system:

  • Continue to select native, drought-tolerant plants.
  • Plug emitters of established native plants, plants that have matured beyond the watered delivery area, or plants that have failed and not been replaced.
  • Have the system inspected and repaired annually.
  • Turn the system off during rainy periods.
  • Follow our programming guidelines.

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