Guide - How to Green a Neighborhood
Why Green?
More and more, people are aware and accepting of the environmental impacts caused by people and the ways in which the things we do, or don’t do, can make a difference in the quality of life where we live.
By adopting support of green initiatives on a neighborhood wide scale we support a positive approach to lifestyle choices, position the neighborhood as a healthy place to live, and encourage those around us, from our kids to our friends, to consider green initiatives in their lives.
The benefits range from healthier living to increased property values. So, why not?!
Plastic Problems
Single use plastic is one of the Top 5 pollution problems facing residents of planet Earth. We won't go into the details here, if you aren't aware of the problem you can research the millions of resources on this on your own time. For the rest of you...just a friendly reminder:
- Use Glass and stainless steel containers - recyclable, healthier, less waste.
- Never buy single-use plastic bottles - <9% get recycled
- Drink from metal or glass water bottles - it's healthier
- Avoid products with plastic packaging whenever possible
Noisy Landscapers?
Midweek seems to be when they descend. The lawnmowers and leaf blowers crank up and begin moving from house to house, often remaining on a stretch of street for an hour or more. The noise from those two-stroke gas engines can be tough on the ears, rattle the nerves and make it difficult to have a phone call. Something about that type of noise seems to help it penetrate through walls to the deepest recesses of one’s home; there is literally no escaping it. But what can one do short of letting their yard return to a more natural state, thereby bringing frowns from neighbors, warnings from the HOA and fire department?
1) Consider Xeriscaping – no noisy maintenance and you will save a bunch of water and money
2) Go Electric – Quiet, no pollution, cheaper to maintain, and these days, powerful
- Ask your landscaper to use electric versions whenever possible
- Hire a landscape company that uses electric mowers and blowers
- Invest in these tools yourself and provide them for the landscaper to use
- Invest in the tools and then get out there and do it yourself…it feels good, really!
Dark Skies (actually see stars!)
Learn more at: International Dark Sky Association
When was the last time you really saw the stars? For 80% of people on the planet the answer is seldom if ever. Dark Skies are valuable, a rarity becoming more and more appreciated for its scarcity.
Nighttime lighting interferes with more than just star gazing though, it messes with our circadian rhythms which interferes with our sleep, it also interferes with birds on migration causing them to lose their way.
Click here to: Learn what you can do and some of the benefits you'll enjoy.
What can you do to help reclaim our dark skies? How about making sure all your exterior lights emit light in only one direction, down. And, you can take a look at the landscape lights you use and adjust them to eliminate any pointing up into the sky. Garage light can be set up with motion sensors to only turn on when movement is detected.
By supporting a Dark Skies initiative for our neighborhood we can make a difference, especially for the birds which utilize the Swaner Nature Preserve every season. Our efforts in Silver Springs can have a compounding effect since being next to dark open space like Swaner means it is that much easier for the efforts we make to reduce light seepage to be noticeable. And, if we were to undertake and support a Dark Skies initiative for our neighborhood the news and publicity around that could easily have a positive impact on our property values.
Smart Water Irrigation - What is it?
Article courtesy of HydroPoint
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In the United States, outdoor water use alone averages more than 9 billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation. As much as 50% of this water is wasted due to overwatering caused by inefficiencies in traditional irrigation methods and systems. Smart irrigation technology is the answer.
Smart irrigation systems tailor watering schedules and run times automatically to meet specific landscape needs. These controllers significantly improve outdoor water use efficiencies.
Unlike traditional irrigation controllers that operate on a preset programmed schedule and timers, smart irrigation controllers monitor weather, soil conditions, evaporation and plant water use to automatically adjust the watering schedule to actual conditions of the site.
For example, as outdoor temperatures increase or rainfall decreases, smart irrigation controllers consider on site-specific variables, such as soil type, sprinklers’ application rate, etc. to adjust the watering run times or schedules. There are several options for smart irrigation controllers.
Click here to: Learn the different Types of Systems, How Much You Can Save, and Compare Systems
Essentially there are two types of smart irrigation controllers: weather-based (ET) and on-site soil moisture sensors. The right solution depends on your geographic location and landscape environment.
Weather-based smart irrigation controllers
Weather-based controllers, also referred to as evapotranspiration (ET) controllers, use local weather data to adjust irrigation schedules. Evapotranspiration is the combination of evaporation from the soil surface and transpiration by plant materials. These controllers gather local weather information and make irrigation run-time adjustments so the landscape receives the appropriate amount of water.
ET weather data uses four weather parameters: temperature, wind, solar radiation and humidity. It’s the most accurate way to calculate landscape water needs.
There are three basic forms of these weather-based ET controllers:
- Signal-based controllers use meteorological data from a publicly available source and the ET value is calculated for a grass surface at the site. The ET data is then sent to the controller by a wireless connection.
- Historic ET controllers use a pre-programmed water use curve, based on historic water use in different regions. The curve can be adjusted for temperature and solar radiation.
- On-site weather measurement controllers use weather data collected on-site to calculate continuous ET measurements and water accordingly.
Soil moisture sensor-based smart irrigation controllers use one of several well-established technologies to measure soil moisture content. When buried in the root zone of turf, trees or shrubs, the sensors accurately determine the moisture level in the soil and transmit this reading to the controller.
There are two different soil moisture sensor-based systems available:
- Suspended cycle irrigation systems, which are set like traditional timer controllers, with watering schedules, start times and duration. The difference is that the system will stop the next scheduled irrigation when there is enough moisture in the soil.
- Water on demand irrigation requires no programming of irrigation duration (only start times and days of the week to water). It has a user-set lower and upper threshold, which initiates irrigation when the soil moisture level fails to meet those levels.
The experts agree that smart irrigation systems and controllers versus traditional irrigation controllers conserve water across a variety of scenarios. Several controlled research studies indicate substantial water savings anywhere from 30 to 50 percent.
Tests by the Irrigation Association (IA) and the International Center for Water Technology at California State University in Fresno, have shown smart irrigation controllers to save up to 20 percent more water than traditional irrigation controllers.
Another study tested a prototype controller/receiver system consisting of a traditional irrigation controller modified to receive a signal broadcasted via satellite. Outdoor water savings were calculated based on 2-years of pre-installation usage and were adjusted for weather conditions. The reported average outdoor savings is 16 percent and it is also reported this represents 85 percent of potential savings based on reference ET.
A water efficient irrigation study of the Saving Water Partnership, a coalition of 24 water purveyors, was conducted in Washington State’s Puget Sound. Water savings were calculated based on historical consumption and adjustments were made for weather conditions. The reported water savings were 20,735 gallons per year per site for sites with rain sensors controllers and 10,071 gallons per year per site for sites using traditional controllers.
Great ideas and resources can be found at:
Utah Rebates – Receive a rebate for 50 percent of your cost (up to $150) when you purchase an eligible WaterSense smart controller. Smart controllers reduce water waste by automatically adjusting how often and how long a landscape is watered based on local weather and landscape conditions. For more information, visit UtahWaterSavers.com
Smart Irrigation Controllers - Comparison shopping article https://www.postscapes.com/smart-irrigation-controllers/
Best Sprinkler System Controllers - Comparison shopping article https://www.fabathome.net/best-sprinkler-systems-controllers/
Check the Resource Page for more information
LocalScape your yard
A friendlier alternative to xeriscaping, LocalScaping is simply using natural native landscaping concepts and practices in one’s own yard. Planting with local flowers, drought tolerant shrubs and grasses versus non-native species. Designing for sun and drought rather than dumping thousands of gallons of water and fertilizer on a lawn to beat back the natural tendencies. It is being smart in your choices and considering how to incorporate natural low maintenance beauty instead of imposing artificial high maintenance beauty. Save money, look great, be smart….LocalScape your yard.
Great ideas and resources can be found at:
Conservation Garden Park – Classes, information, 100’s of plant ideas, educational videos, landscaping pros and more. https://conservationgardenpark.org/
Red Butte Gardens - Classes, gardening information, medicinal plants information, lectures, and, of course, a really great garden to stroll through. https://www.redbuttegarden.org/