Monday, July 19, 2010

Shades of Green

You want to enhance your property with a gorgeous landscape, but the area is surrounded by shade. Some might suggest covering the land with mulch or turning it into a grand patio, but if you really prefer greenery, what can you do?

Shade tolerant grasses do exist. However, there are several things to remember when trying to grow grass in a shaded area. Even shade tolerant grasses need at least four hours of sunlight per day. You can improve the amount of sunlight to an area by trimming out tree limbs, especially lower limbs. As much as 35-40% of a tree’s limbs can be removed to improve the sun’s penetration without changing the aesthetics of a tree. It also helps to remove any fallen leaves and grass clippings, since they can further add to shade problems.

Once you’ve taken steps to improve sun exposure, you can facilitate the grass to thrive even further. Be sure to keep it one to two inches longer than grass that receives abundant sunlight. Limit fertilization and water deeply, yet only occasionally. Because shade prevents quick evaporation of dew and rain, it can lead to dampness, which encourages disease and inhibits growth.

It’s essential to understand that not all grasses labeled shade tolerant work well in the same environment; some are meant for warm weather climates, while others thrive in cooler climates.

Zoysiagrass is slow-growing, dense grass that is drought tolerant and best in warm weather climates much like Hawaii. El Toro, is a favorite varietal of zoysiagrass to us at No Ka Oi. Appropriately named after the bull, El Toro is pest, drought and disease resistant. El Toro is easy to establish and low maintenance and therefore, considered one of the most sustainable grasses available.

The low maintenance El Toro zoysiagrass; “the bull” is bullet proof and a perfect choice for your shaded landscape.

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Xeriscaping - An Innovative Approach to Water Conservation

More than just an industry buzz word, xeriscaping offers an alternative to maintaining the island’s beautiful landscapes with minimal water waste. You can save anywhere from 30%-80% of outdoor water consumption through xeriscaping. If you are interested in turning your landscape into a xeriscape (or a partial xeriscape), there are several guidelines to follow.

The basic premise of xeriscaping is to take advantage of natural climate conditions to make efficient use of irrigation. It’s essential to include plants whose natural requirements are suitable to the local climate. For us in Hawaii, beach naupaka and yellow hibiscus are two examples of indigenous, or native, plants to the islands.

It is equally important to limit and separate grassed areas - that often require the greatest amount of watering - from trees, shrubs and flowering plants. This distinction allows each area to be irrigated individually. You may also consider replacing turf with low water-demanding plants or mulches.

Another fundamental principle of xeriscaping is regular maintenance. Xeriscapes can actually help reduce maintenance costs. By consistently pruning, weeding and properly fertilizing, you can realize even greater water savings. Finally, be sure not to over irrigate; always water according to plant needs.

So, if you’ve heard about xeriscaping, but you thought it meant having a garden full of cacti, you may want to reconsider this creative landscaping approach to conserving water.