Archive for the ‘Site Renovation Planning & Design’ Category

The Top 10 Benefits of Making Landscaping More Water Efficient

July 23rd, 2010 by Matt Corrion

Converting an outdated landscape into landscaping that uses less water is not as hard as you might think.  And there are many benefits! 

One of the best ways to do this is to convert your high water-use landscaping into a Xeriscape (pronounced “zeer-escape”).  This can be done anywhere-  from a small home landscape, to a large commercial property.

Many people have an image of Xeriscape as a “sea of rocks, with a few cactus plants”.  But Xeriscape can also be a lush, green and colorful landscape that is interwoven with flowering plants, textures, and beauty throughout each season.  In my opinion it is much more beautiful and interesting than “traditional” landscaping.

The Top 10 Benefits Are:

10.  Less Maintenance
9.  Use Less Water & Better for the Environment
8.  Prevent Water Damage
7.  More Beautiful, Colorful & Unique
6.  Better Wildlife Habitat
5.  Less Fertilizers & Pesticides Needed
4.  Better Suited to Your Site’s Unique Conditions
3.  More Winter Beauty
2.  Better Prepared for Drought
1.  Saves You Money

Now I will discuss each benefit in greater detail and explain what each one can mean for you:
(more…)

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How Much of my Water Goes Toward Irrigating my Landscaping?

May 31st, 2010 by Matt Corrion

Question:  How much of my water goes toward irrigating my landscaping?
Answer:  In Denver, 54% of the average residential customer’s water use goes toward irrigating the landscaping.

The average person in Denver uses 128 gallons of water per day for residential use.

The breakdown of residential water use:

  • 1%  Dishwashers
  • 5%  Leaks
  • 6%  Faucets
  • 10%  Showers and Baths
  • 11%  Laundry
  • 13%  Toilets
  • 54%  Landscaping

(more…)

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What Not to Do – Turfgrass in Parking Lot Islands

April 30th, 2010 by Matt Corrion

Did you know that in Colorado over 50% of the water used on a typical property goes toward irrigating the landscaping? 

Most of this is treated water that has gone through a long and expensive process of being collected and travelling through a complex system of catch basins, detention ponds and storm drains.  

Next, the water is treated at a water treatment facility to the point where is certified drinking-quality tap water- often it is of better quality than what you would buy in a bottled water. 

Finally, the water leaves the facility and travels through a DIFFERENT extensive system of pipes to your home or business.  The system, and all of the maintenance on it, is paid for by you the taxpayer.

Why then, would you design or maintain a landscape that sheds drinking quality water every day right back into the storm drain?

Water Running off Into the Gutter

Water Running off Into the Gutter

(more…)

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Up to $25,000 Rebates Available through 2010 Aurora Xeriscape Program

February 21st, 2010 by Matt Corrion

More communities are realizing that Xeriscape (low water use landscaping) makes sense, and are actively promoting it.

low water use xeriscape

photo of a converted xeriscape that was previously a lawn area

The City of Aurora, Colorado and Aurora Water have been pioneers in water conservation through supporting regionally appropriate landscape design.  Outdoor Design Group has been actively involved with the program for the last couple of years.  For 2010, the Xeriscape Rebate program has been allocated $250,000 dollars for rebates to convert high water use landscapes (sod, turf, or lawn) to Xeriscape. 

In past posts on this blog, I have documented the money and water savings and given examples of the beauty of these landscapes.  Each site is different, but in general you can expect a (more…)

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What Not to Do- Placing Irrigation Heads Next to Fencing

December 19th, 2009 by Matt Corrion

This is my first in a series of “what not to do” posts related to landscape and site design. 

One of the ways that I challenge myself to learn and to stay on top of the latest trends is to keep my eyes open for good and bad designs and ideas as I travel around my area or out of town.fence damaged by irrigation

The fence on the right is located near my home, in what appears to be an HOA (home owner’s association) maintained area next to a single family housing development.  This is just one example of fences like this that can be found all over Denver.  The root of the problem is that they have put sod directly against a wooden fence.  Sod is typically irrigated by overhead spray and the water from the irrigation is discoloring and deteriorating the fence.

Problems with placing irrigation heads directly next to fencing

  • Discolored fencing is unattractive:  Obviously this is an aesthetics issue- these fences are a real eye-sore for these developments and the surrounding community. (more…)
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Xeriscape Rebate Programs Provide a Great Opportunity for HOA’s and other Property Owners

October 28th, 2009 by Matt Corrion

The following slideshow includes images from our latest completed project-  Phases 1 and 2 of a complete site renovation for the Villas at Aspen Ridge condominium complex in Aurora, Colorado:

This $400,000 project entailed correcting some serious drainage problems and replacing outdated high water-use landscaping with new low water-use landscaping as part of Aurora’s Xeriscape Rebate Program.  Outdoor Design Group worked with the HOA to design the improvements, submit plans to the City for approval, and apply for the Xeriscape rebate.   (more…)

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Save Money and Water by Converting Sod to Xeriscape

September 23rd, 2009 by Matt Corrion

It’s easier to do and can provide bigger savings than you might think.  And, if your renovation is well designed, the property has the potential to gain significant curb appeal and value.  Take the multi-family HOA (home owner’s association) property below, for example:

villas-HOA-before-after

The plain old high-maintenance traditional landscape is on the left, and the same property is shown on the right after one of our renovations using a Xeriscape approach.  The finished product has numerous beautiful flowering shrubs and perennials, ornamental grasses, and trees that will continue to grow over the next couple of seasons into an attractive and lush landscape.

What are the other advantages, you ask, and how does this save money? (more…)

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Interview with Urban Design Podcast about Site Renovations

September 23rd, 2009 by Matt Corrion

I was recently interviewed by Arina Habich for the website Urban Design Podcast about our “site renovation planning and design” services for commercial properties.  Visit the site to listen to the interview and to see the accompanying photos.

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