In essence their creation requires many of the same elements that make up a valuable piece of art: skillfully selected palettes of color, texture, dimension, and of course appeal to the owner. 

Gardens can provide hours of rest and pleasure to weary homeowners.  Well designed and functional gardens can also provide a property owner with a significant return on their investment when the time comes to sell their property.  But, just as a fine work of art, gardens require special attention to maintain their aesthetics, value and longevity. 

Gardens can often be the single most important element that pulls together various structures and grades on a property.  I consider gardens the focal element of interest amid that expanse of green we call lawn! However, my observations of homeowner practices over the years reveal the major investment of time and resources is spent on lawns.  I find this interesting given the largest investment in any property is the proper preparation and selection of landscape material that make up garden areas.  Homeowners are under the impression that their seasonal efforts directed to the green turf will automatically produce winning results with their landscaped areas! 

This way of thinking is especially popular when it comes to watering practices.

In addition to the important components of plant-site compatibility and proper site preparation I have discussed throughout many of my articles, the element of water along with its proper application is a critical element in assuring the success of your landscape investment.  It is amazing to see properties with substantial investment in automated “lawn” irrigation systems that totally neglect the needs of gardens.  In this time of conservation we need only consider our priorities: which landscape component will provide the greatest benefit to your property and which will tolerate lesser watering and naturally go into dormancy.  The answer is simple.  Your plant material is an environmental hero to your property.  Trees, shrubs and plants offer filtering, cooling effect, reduce soil erosion, and absorb dust and soot. Shade trees can lower attic temperatures by as much as 40 degrees, while supportive landscaping can significantly reduce air conditioning costs.  Did you know that properly selected landscaping can reduce noise by 50 percent? Studies have shown that trees can remove carbon dioxide from the air and release enough oxygen for a family of four to breathe for a day.  Given all the environmental benefits of good landscaping practices, why would you choose not to give attention to the areas on your property that give you the greatest natural return and conserve water along the way? 

Most folks are familiar with the concept of multiple zoned lawn irrigation systems.  These are commonplace in our area.  The system is timed, producing water distribution through spray heads or rotary heads and are dedicated to the lawn areas.  These systems often overlook the specific needs of your landscaped garden areas, e.g. plant height, density, size of dedicated bedding area.  They also fail to adjust as plant material grows and matures.  Let’s face it, most of these sprinkler systems were designed for 3-inch-height open turf areas.  As a result, garden areas are either over or under watered.  A common sight in these systems in dieback of trees and shrubbery because the homeowner presumed the outer spray of the lawn head was reaching their expensive plants.  Yes the lawn is green but your plants are dying.  Or the opposite occurs, the spray heads are overshooting and causing foliage damage, providing too much volume (usually measured in gallons/minute) or watering your neighbors property, street, sidewalk, etc. 

This constitutes a water conservation nightmare.

So what do you look for to tend to the special watering needs of your dedicated garden areas? 

First, take a careful look at your plant material. Do they need height, distance, volume?  What is the pattern of spray that will encompass the area? Dedicated garden sprinkler heads can accommodate all these components.  Selecting a spray head to emit the proper spray pattern and adjusted to produce the right volume of water is important.  The sprinkler industry has made great strides in the design of automated sprinkler heads.  There are endless spray pattern possibilities to water exclusively the targeted area. Special height pop-up spray heads make watering landscape shrubbery efficient and effective.  Many new designs allow these pop ups to be totally concealed in the ground when the system is off. 

Drip systems are one of my favorite watering solutions for container plantings.  They can support both ground and hanging containers.  The beauty of these is to direct the water most efficiently. 

After installing a drip system recently for a porch full of hanging containers, our client thought perhaps they were not working as he did not see spray around the porch area.  I explained the wonderful conservative quality of these systems.  They drip exclusively into the pots at a specific rate and do not waste spray on surrounding structures.  That is a real savings for the homeowner. 

If we do experience drought conditions and subsequent watering restrictions in our area, dedicated garden systems not only help to conserve, but preserve your financial investment.  Turf has a natural ability to go into a dormant state during drought conditions.  Plant material is more vulnerable.  With dedicated garden zones in your automated system, you can merely run those, thereby conserving water and working in cooperation with nature.

With the benefits of conservation and environmental friendliness, dedicated garden systems provide the ever important feature of convenience.  Daily climbing upon ladders to reach hanging containers and hauling heavy watering cans is totally eliminated.  And of course I must also speak on the visual beauty of early morning water sprays in a garden bed.  It is so natural looking.  You really must see this gorgeous effect.

Want more information about dedicated garden systems?  Chips Landscaping has 16 years experience designing and installing automated sprinkler systems to meet the specific needs of property owners.  Only professional grade materials and practices are employed.

Sue Ann DuBois is a Master Gardener and partner to the husband-wife team of Chips Landscaping.  She designs, constructs, and maintains outdoor landscape, water gardens, and landscape watering systems.  Chips Landscaping is an Aquascape® trained water garden contractor and member of the Aquascape® Water Garden Excellence Partnership.  For more

information visit: www.chips

landscaping.net