🌧️ No rain. No snowpack. Let’s talk about preparing for a water-scarce summer. We’ve shared a couple recent big projects lately, but I want to zoom out for a minute. We’re heading into spring with very little moisture in the soil and almost no meaningful precipitation over the winter. That usually leads to two things by mid to late summer: 💧 Higher water bills🚫 Increased watering restrictions The good news? This is one of those problems you can prepare for now instead of reacting to later. 🛠️ What homeowners can do right now 🌱 1. Reduce thirsty lawn areasEven shrinking lawn spaces a little makes a big impact. Lawn is by far the biggest water user in most yards. 🌱 2. Improve your soil before summer heat hitsHealthy soil holds moisture longer. Compost and organic amendments matter more than people realize, especially in Utah’s clay soils. 💦 3. Convert spray irrigation to dripDrip irrigation puts water exactly where plants need it and dramatically reduces waste from wind and evaporation. 🧩 4. Group plants by water needsMixing high-water and low-water plants forces everything to be overwatered. Proper grouping is one of the biggest water-savers there is. 🌼 Plants that actually thrive with low water in Utah These aren’t “barely surviving” plants. These are plants that look better once they’re established. 🌿 GroundcoversIce plantSnow-in-summerCreeping thymeCreeping juniperKinnikinnick 🌸 PerennialsYarrowPenstemonSalviaSundancer daisyBlanket flowerSulphur buckwheat 🌾 GrassesLittle bluestemBlue oat grassFeather reed grassTufted hairgrass 🌳 Shrubs and structure plantsRussian sageLavenderMahoniaRabbitbrush 🌞 The big picture When designed correctly, these landscapes:💧 Use a fraction of the water🌿 Look good year-round🧹 Require far less maintenance This summer doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive if you plan ahead. Even small changes now can save a lot of water and money later. 💬 If you’re unsure where to start, ask questions here or reach out.Planning early is always easier and cheaper than reacting mid-summer.

This one is a little outside of my normal business focus but took it on as a favor to the homeowner. Reached out to my good friend Norman of TBU International to draw this one. I could’ve done it but Norman is the best around and world renowned for his work. I wanted to really impress the client! I think it turns out great!

It was the fall of 2024 and this project that was just supposed to be a design turned into a design/build. The client told me about the rebate program that she was taking part of and would be getting $8000 back from the state for removing her lawn and replacing it with a low-water-use landscape. I had a lightbulb moment while working on this project one day and the idea of doing just this and only this for clients across the state of Utah was born! I had a great first year last year and completed 7 projects and helped customers save thousands of gallons of water, save on their water bills, and made sure they got their fat rebate check when all was done! This year is already ramping up to be 4-5 times better than last year. I will just have to figure out how to get it all done!! Also, the plan doesn't show it, but did eventually fill in the park strip with loads of plants, as that was a requirement to be able to qualify for the rebate.

A lot of people think low-maintenance landscapes work because of the plants. Plants matter. But that’s not really the reason. Low maintenance happens because of decisions made before anything goes in the ground. 🪴 Spacing plants so they can actually grow into their space 🍂 Using ground cover and mulch to protect the soil 🪨 Breaking things up with paths, stone, or hard edges instead of leaving bare dirt When those pieces are in place, weeds have a hard time getting started. Water stays where it’s supposed to. Plants aren’t competing or stressed. Things just settle in. Maintenance doesn’t go away, but it changes. Instead of chasing problems every weekend, you’re just making small adjustments as things grow 🌱 That’s why effort alone doesn’t create a low-maintenance yard. Good design does. ❓What part of yard work feels the most frustrating or never-ending for you right now?