Drought Tolerant Landscaping Notes

Drought Tolerant Landscaping Notes
12/9/08

1. Garden Design
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/gardendesign.html

Basic Principles of Landscape Design
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/principlesoflandscapedesign.html

2. Landscaping Cloth
http://store.the-landscape-design-site.com/

From
http://www.the-landscape-design-site.com/landscapefabric.html

"Measuring and overlap is another area where do it yourself make a common mistake. Try and remember that where two sheets of material meet, there needs to be a three to six inch overlap. This will help insure that weeds and grasses don't find their way to sunlight. So, also remember when figuring amount needed, to allow a little extra for the overlap.

Keep it completely covered from sunlight. Sunlight will do more natural damage than anything else. A good fabric will last virtually forever if covered completely from sunlight. So don't skimp on your groundcover and replenish yearly as needed.

Securing pins are often offered as a necessary accessory to weed barrier. This is true if you're using a cheaper material as they tend to shrink. As far as holding the material down while you work? You don't have to waste your money on them. You can simply hold the cloth in place as you go using your chosen groundcover.

Not all landscaping fabrics are alike. Home center and off brands most usually have the word "professional" or "commercial" on their labeling. And a lot of the time they don't quite live up to their labeling (I'm being nice here).

Here's what to look for:
A good quality product should be tougher than you are. You shouldn't be able to tear or stretch it easily and it should have a stiff quality to it. It shouldn't be flimsy and limp like regular cloth.

Test it before you place it in your landscaping. Next time you're at the local home center, try tearing a piece of it with your bare hands. If you can tear it or stretch it with your bare hands, chances are that weeds and grass can and will grow through it.

When shopping for professional fabric, you'll find many different types such as spunbond, woven, non-woven, and needle punch from many different manufacturers. And you'll find it in different weights as well."


Woven Weed Restrictor, 4.7 oz,

http://www.mrdrip.com/fabric.htm

* 3' x 250' = $118.45
* 4' x 250' = $146.26
* 5' x 250' = $182.89
* 6' x 250' = $219.39
* 8' x 250' = $304.20
* 12' x 250' = $473.85 (shipped via truck to commercial address ONLY)

2. Gravel Mulch

Pea Gravel (washed for landscaping)
one cubic yard (covers 80 ft square) about $70.00
Delivery charge: At least $60.00 - $70.00

3. Cost per 1000 Square Feet: $1340.00

Gravel plus delivery: $945.00
Landscape Fabric: $165.00
Plants: $200.00 (10-20 plants, depending on size. Mexican and Santa Barbara Slavia?)
Soil Amendment: $30.00
Watering System not included: ??


4. Plant smaller plants if possible.

5. Helpful links

http://www.ecoburbank.com/

http://www.californianativeplants.com

http://www.bewaterwise.com/

http://www.rsabg.org/