Our ever-growing population increases demand, but with the water supply fixed by Mother Nature, water costs eventually will jump.
Some homeowners one day will pay dearly to overhaul water-hog landscaping. This summer, learn water conservation by reading books, visiting Web sites, touring gardens and attending free classes and events.
Available resources include:
* One of the best and most affordable primers is the Utah State University Extension's Water-Wise Landscaping by Terry Keane and others, available online at http://extension.usu.edu/files/gardpubs/waterwis.pdf or at your county USU Extension office. Planning and design considerations plus lists of landscape plants of varying drought tolerance make this an excellent book to read and re-read.
* The Central Utah Water Conservancy District Web site features a "virtual garden" (http://gardens.cuwcd. com/gardendemo/) to help learn about different plant options.
* The Utah Division of Water Resources Web site features reports of current lawn water needs in various sites around the Wasatch Front (http://www.conservewater.utah.gov, Real Time Watering Guide).
* One of the best water-conserving landscapes in the Salt Lake area is the Jordan Valley Water Conservation Demonstration Garden. Located at 8215 S. 1300 West in West Jordan, this garden was planted about five years ago and is now a beautiful resource to view various lawn grass, lawn alternatives, flowers, shrubs and other landscape plants. The garden is open to the public every day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Its newly revised Web site (http://www.slowtheflow.org) is easily navigated and contains many resources, such as plant lists and design brochures. Free classes are taught regularly, and three summer garden fairs (June 4, July 9 and Sept. 10) offer opportunities to view the garden and get advice from participating organizations and vendors.
* The Utah House, an environmentally conscious model home, also features a water-wise landscape. Planted only about a year ago, this young garden near the new Utah Botanical Center is a good example of drought-tolerant materials and techniques. The garden is always available for viewing, but call for house tours (920 S. 50 West, Kaysville, 801-593-8969).
* Sandy City continually updates the Sego Lily Garden at 1472 E. Sego Lily Drive (10200 South). Featuring many Utah native herbs, grasses and shrubs, this garden first was planted in 1999. Although some areas are well-established, most of the garden is still new.
* Red Butte Garden showcases design ideas and plant materials on a large scale. Grasses and native plants blend in with other drought-tolerant species, while more water-demanding plants occupy separate watering zones. Saturday classes often focus on drought- tolerant plant and design options (http://www.redbuttegarden.org).
Free water checks for automatic sprinkler systems are available this summer by calling 1-877-SAVE H20.
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Maggie Wolf is an assistant professor for USU Extension in Salt Lake County. E-mail her at maggiew@ext.usu.edu.
