Lawns, Gardens & Landscapes

Residential Water Use Lawns, Gardens & Landscapes

Lawns, Gardens & Landscapes

Your landscape includes your lawn, trees, shrubs, flowers, vegetable garden, and groundcovers. The lawn is likely a prominent part of your landscape. While the lawn may need watering and frequent care, it adds beauty to the community and a well-maintained lawn offers many benefits:

  • absorbs rain water runoff
  • decreases soil erosion
  • promotes neighborhood pride
  • reduces the urban heat island effect
  • increases property values
  • provides space for recreation and relaxation

Uses of Compost in the Landscape

1.	Compost is a great soil amendment for improving the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils.

Compost is used as a soil amendment to improve the physical, chemical and biological properties of soils. Over time, yearly additions of compost will improve your landscape or garden soil in many ways including the water holding capacity of sandy soils and water percolation in clay soils. 

Read More

Irrigation for Maintaining the Landscape

screwdriver showing mud on it
As we move into the heat of the summer, we need to remember proper irrigation practices for our plants. It is just as easy to overwater as it is to underwater plants. And remember that irrigation practices differ among all different types of plants.

Read More

Fire Smart Landscaping

Fire on a fence in a neighborhood. Image courtesy of Sarah Browning

Wildfires were headline news in 2023, including the Lahaina, Hawaii fire and scores of fires across Canada and Nebraska. It’s comfortable to think a devastating wildfire can’t happen in your area, but it’s better to be aware of the possibility and be prepared. Learn the aspects of Fire Smart Landscaping including creating a defensible space, planning ahead for a fire event, and management of the surrounding landscapes to decrease potential fire damage.

 

Read More

Watering New Plants

Damp soil clings to a flat head screwdriver used to test soil moisture

April and May are classic times to install plants of all types – trees, shrubs, veggies, herbs, groundcovers and flowers.  One of the most basic requirements for ensuring their benefits and longevity is watering…but it’s not as simple as it may seem.  There are many factors that contribute to success.

Read More

Landscape Mulch for Water Conservation

Young tree planted with bark mulch surrounding it
Mulching landscape beds and gardens is a waterwise practice. Conserving soil moisture, controlling weeds, mitigating soil temperature extremes, and improving soil health are key benefits.

Read More

Sign up for updates from UNL Water

Sign Up Here