Curbed surveyed landscape architects specializing in drought-resistant lawns for their best "tips and tricks."
Residents of the United States raise 40 million acres of turf grass crops every year, more than any other crop. Some, in areas where water is expensive or scarce, are looking to modify their lawns and gardens by planting less water-intensive plants.
Like any project where one diverges from the standard way of doing things, the process can seem intimidating. In an article for Curbed, Kate Losse spoke with landscape architects in drought-plagued Southern California to get their insights into handling this issue. Among other suggestions, they advised that anyone intending to change their outdoor space budget time for research into both their specific lawn and the plants that might flourish there. Losse was also told that no garden is a set it and forget it proposition. "Experts caution that just because a garden is drought-tolerant, doesn’t mean it doesn’t need attention, and that paying attention to your garden and its needs is a crucial element to its growth," the Curbed piece reports.
There have certainly been misadventures in reducing water use in gardens, but the Curbed piece aims to show how the project can be managed to fit the climate and the ambition of the gardener.
FULL STORY: Drought-tolerant gardens: Expert tips and tricks
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.