**2.3 Practical turf areas**

Turfgrass is one of the most versatile and functional plants in the landscape. It provides one of the best recreational surfaces for outdoor activities. From a water management standpoint, turf is recognized as one of the most effective plant covers to reduce runoff and erosion while recharging the ground water, which results in more efficient use of rainfall (Wade et al., 2002). Along with minimizing turf perimeter, an important factor in conserving water in lawn areas is selecting a water-conserving, warm-season turfgrass species and cultivar. Warm-season species recommended for North Carolina are centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass. Within each species are a number of cultivars with slightly different characteristics, including the transpiration rate or rate at which the grass gives up moisture to the air.Turf can help control erosion; it can contribute to temperature modification; it can reduce urban glare; and it can help control dust and mud. Turf is also useful for slowing runoff from landscape areas and can be of practical benefit in areas like swales. Grass is also functional in open recreational areas and can be maintained without heavy use of chemicals that have recently caused health concerns (Welsh, 2000). Use turf where it aesthetically highlights the house or buildings and where it has practical function, such as in play or recreation areas. Grouping turf areas can increase watering efficiency and significantly reduce evaporative and runoff losses. Select a type of grass that can withstand

and functional areas, such as lawns. Identifying water-use zones in your yard helps you to

A thorough analysis of both the physical and chemical characteristics of the soil is important when developing a water-wise landscape. Since plants with deep roots continue to have access to moisture after surface soil begins to dry out, a primary goal of Xeriscape is to encourage plants to develop deep root systems. In urban areas where the soil may be compacted, it will often be necessary to physically improve your soil before you can grow deep-rooted plants. Physical improvement of soil involves tilling to break up compaction and provide aeration and adding organic matter to keep soil porous. In addition, it may be necessary to chemically improve the soil with nutrients or other materials. Landscape architects emphasize that both kinds of soil improvements are important to developing healthy, deep roots, and that heavy fertilizing will not compensate for insufficient physical soil preparation. Before landscaping, take a sample of your soil to your local county Extension office for testing. Your county Extension agent will provide you with a recommendation for lime and fertilizer based on the analysis. The soil test report will give you information on pH, nutrients, volume weight, and humic matter as well as recommendations for correcting any deficiency the analysis reveals. Your goal in soil analysis is to create an ideal soil environment for the expanding root system. An ideal soil has good aeration and drainage, yet holds adequate moisture and nutrients for optimum root growth. If your soil is deficient in phosphorus, potassium, calcium, or magnesium, recommendations will be made for improvement. However, the lab analysis is not useful for sulfur, nitrogen, and boron. You may want to add a commercial fertilizer such as sulfate of ammonia or composted manure to supply both nitrogen and sulfur (Wade et al., 2002;

Turfgrass is one of the most versatile and functional plants in the landscape. It provides one of the best recreational surfaces for outdoor activities. From a water management standpoint, turf is recognized as one of the most effective plant covers to reduce runoff and erosion while recharging the ground water, which results in more efficient use of rainfall (Wade et al., 2002). Along with minimizing turf perimeter, an important factor in conserving water in lawn areas is selecting a water-conserving, warm-season turfgrass species and cultivar. Warm-season species recommended for North Carolina are centipedegrass, zoysiagrass, and bermudagrass. Within each species are a number of cultivars with slightly different characteristics, including the transpiration rate or rate at which the grass gives up moisture to the air.Turf can help control erosion; it can contribute to temperature modification; it can reduce urban glare; and it can help control dust and mud. Turf is also useful for slowing runoff from landscape areas and can be of practical benefit in areas like swales. Grass is also functional in open recreational areas and can be maintained without heavy use of chemicals that have recently caused health concerns (Welsh, 2000). Use turf where it aesthetically highlights the house or buildings and where it has practical function, such as in play or recreation areas. Grouping turf areas can increase watering efficiency and significantly reduce evaporative and runoff losses. Select a type of grass that can withstand

group plants with similar water needs together for watering efficiency.

**2.2 Soil analysis** 

Welsh, 2000).

**2.3 Practical turf areas** 

drought periods and become dormant during hot, dry seasons. Reducing or eliminating turf areas altogether further reduces water use (United States Environmental Protection Agency, 2002). Also consider the ease of watering turf areas. Areas that are long and narrow, small, or oddly shaped are difficult to water efficiently. Confine grass to blocky, squarish areas that are easier to maintain.
