Resource-efficient

Natural Landscaping
Design ● Build ● Maintain
May, 2007 This guide is divided into sections for the Design, Building, and Operations & Maintenance phases of a project, plus Resources.

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Landscape professionals from around the 5 Steps to Successful Landscapes
Northwest have contributed and tested these ideas
1) Build healthy soil Preserve existing soil and
for resource-efficient, sustainable, cost-effective
vegetation (especially trees) where possible. Amend
landscaping. They can be applied to any disturbed soils with compost. Mulch existing landscapes
landscape design or use, from conventional lawn- regularly with wood chip, coarse bark, leaves or compost.
and-bed designs to native restorations to 2) Plant right for your site Fit landscape uses to your
innovative urban landscapes. Integrating these site’s conditions, and choose plants that need less water,
ideas from the initial project design stage through have few pests, and thrive in the Northwest climate.

construction and into long-term maintenance will 3) Water smart After building healthy soil and selecting
reap the most benefits. low-water use plants, group plants by water need, use
more efficient irrigation methods like drip and soakers
Benefits under mulch, and design and maintain irrigation systems
to reduce waste.
• More attractive landscapes
• Easier maintenance 4) Think twice before using pesticides Proper
plant selection, plant care, and integrated pest
• Lower water, waste, and energy bills; less need for
management techniques can practically eliminate the
fertilizers and pesticides
need for weed and bug killers, reducing health risks.
• Better storm water detention and filtration
• Better air and water quality 5) Practice natural lawn care Start with less lawn –
put turf only where needed. “Grasscycling” (mulch-
• Better habitat for wildlife and people mowing), and proper mowing height, watering and
• Higher property values fertilization techniques can save time and money.
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Choose the right plant

Use nature as your model
for the right place
Natural systems:
• Select plant varieties that
• Recycle everything – water, waste,
will thrive in your site’s
and nutrients – back into new life
conditions (sun, soil, water),
• Are diverse, and therefore dynamically stable (tend to the local climate, and that grow well together.
recover from pests, weather, etc.)
• Select for low maintenance needs: low water and
• Are defined by the resources (sun, soil, water) available fertilizer needs after establishment, high resistance to
on-site pests to eliminate chemical use, and minimal mowing or
• Have inherent beauty: elegance, complexity, and balance pruning needs.
• Select based on mature size, to minimize pruning.

Fit the design to the site

• Assess site soils, sun exposure, drainage, water
table, grading and slope stability issues.
• Consider adjacent uses, nearby sensitive areas
(wetlands and waterways, slopes, wildlife uses).
• Identify existing vegetation, and preserve
(especially tree root areas) wherever possible.
• Involve owners and end-users in fitting the
intended uses into the site’s conditions.
• Involve landscape maintenance staff (or a
maintenance expert) early in the design process.

• Plan vertically in layers, like the forest: ground cover,

Start with the soil
understory shrubs, and trees. (Select low shrubs and
• Plan to protect soil around trees and preserved limb-able trees where sightlines are important)
vegetation from compaction.
• Use native plant communities where they fit the site
• Plan to stockpile and reuse site topsoil, if practical. conditions and design – they often thrive with less
maintenance and provide wildlife habitat.
• Plan to amend disturbed soils with compost, prevent re-
compaction, and mulch beds after planting (see Building • Plan native and natural “buffer” areas near waterways,
phase). slopes, and other sensitive areas.
• Consider getting a site soil sample, and any imported • Use trees. Generally, plant conifers on north side to
topsoils, tested at a soil lab. Follow the lab’s block winter winds, and deciduous trees to south for
recommendations, and verify proper installation. summer shading and winter light. (Consider mature tree
size – see “tree selection” in Resources.)
• Design landscape for recycling fall leaves and chipped
prunings as mulch, and mulch-mowing (“grasscycling”) • Select plants with multiple benefits, such as food (“edible
lawns, to help maintain long-term soil and plant health. landscaping”), habitat, shade, etc.
Plan a composting or leaf/chip storage area on site.
• Maximize green in dense urban areas – in public spaces,
on building walls and roofs, in street tree placement –
see Seattle Green Factor urban design guidelines in
Resources section.
• Put lawn where it belongs: on sunny (or light shade to
reduce water needs), well-drained, moderately sloped
areas where needed for play or walking uses. Turf often
requires a lot of maintenance and water, so choose other
plant groups where turf is not necessary or won’t grow
well (heavily shaded, sloped, or poorly drained sites).
• Avoid invasive species – see www.kingcounty.gov/weeds

Resource-efficient Natural Landscaping: Design – Build – Maintain 2

 Design for water conservation
• Build deep soil with compost. Mulch regularly.
• Select low water use or drought tolerant plant
communities – they need minimal or no irrigation after
they’re established (2-3 years). This may allow sites to
be built with no permanent irrigation – soaker hose, drip,
or quick connect systems can be used during the
establishment period.
• Minimize turf and other
high water use plants.
Avoid narrow, odd
shaped, or isolated turf
zones – they’re hard to
water and mow.
Slow the flow: manage and reuse storm
• Reuse water: recycled
water on-site water, greywater
• Conform to existing drainage patterns as much as systems, and stormwater
possible in designing site grading. detention cisterns are all
potential sources for
• Minimize hardscape (concrete etc.) in the landscape – landscape reuse. Just
use softer engineering or plants. directing roof and
• Disperse drainage from hardscapes and roofs by pavement runoff into
spreading it out to sheet flow into landscape areas. landscape soil helps.

• Use Natural Drainage Systems to slow and filter runoff, • Group and zone plants by water need – match these
such as: “hydrozones” to irrigation system zones.
- Soil amendment with compost • Have irrigation systems designed, or designs checked, by
- Bio-retention swales, “raingardens” and planters an Irrigation Association certified designer (see
www.irrigation.org). Tell the designer you want a water-
- Curbless or curb-cut streets flowing to swale
efficient design.
- Green roofs, green walls, and tree planting
• Reduce irrigation system waste with:
- Pervious paving for parking and paths
- Evapotranspiration-based central computer controllers;
- Other natural drainage techniques – see Resources
or for smaller systems, weather and soil moisture
• Store and reuse stormwater beneficially: sensor based “smart” controllers
- Soil amendment and infiltration is the most cost- - Rain shut-off devices; flow sensors (to shut off zone if
effective way to store rainfall for landscape use. pipe breaks); check valves to stop low head drainage;
- Stormwater detention vaults/cisterns, if required, may and more efficient “high distribution uniformity” heads
be designed to feed filtration and reuse for toilet - Adequate piping size to minimize pressure differences,
flushing or vehicle washing, or to store late spring or pressure-regulating valves on each zone in sloped
storms for summer landscape irrigation. systems. Keep any pressure variation to within 10-15%
of working pressure.
- Separate zones for turf, and for each hydrozone
- Drip, soaker, or other low-flow emitters
• Have designer prepare a landscape Water Budget, and
plan to test the system during commissioning to verify
efficient performance – to learn more, see Resources.

Make it last – naturally

• Write a Landscape Maintenance Plan that specifies
integrated pest and weed management, turf and plant
maintenance, soil building with mulch and mulch-
mowing, and irrigation system inspections and
maintenance.
See Resources for maintenance plan examples.

Resource-efficient Natural Landscaping: Design – Build – Maintain 3

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Restore soil functions

• Amend disturbed soils with compost:
- For lawns, 1-2 inches of compost tilled in to an 8-inch
depth
- For tree and shrub beds, 2-4 inches of compost tilled at
least 12 inches deep. Or amend/install a soil-compost
mix in multiple lifts (layers) to attain 16-24 inch root
zone depth that’s best for tree/shrub establishment.
- Don’t amend just the planting hole (it causes poor root
development). If not amending the whole bed, plant
trees and shrubs in the existing soil, then mulch with
compost, then wood chips on top for weed control.
• Visually inspect any imported topsoils before accepting
Minimize impacts, to maximize benefits delivery, and verify they meet specs/lab tests. Install
topsoils properly – rip in the first lift (layer) to mix it with
• Protect tree root zones (twice the drip line diameter) and
the native soil, and promote deep root growth.
soil areas being preserved, by:
- Fencing out vehicles, equipment and storage • Protect soils from compaction after amendment.
- Boring rather than trenching utilities past major roots • Mulch landscapes after planting with 2-3 inches of
- Where some equipment traffic is unavoidable, covering arborist wood chips or coarse bark chips.
tree root zones with 4-6 inches of coarse wood chip
(hog fuel) or crushed rock, or with metal plates.
• Stockpile site topsoil for reuse – cover piles with chip
mulch or breathable fabric during storage.
• Prevent site erosion – compost blankets, berms, and
socks are effective, and the compost can be reused later
as soil amendment.
• Leave areas close to waterways and slopes undisturbed,
in native vegetation.

Plant it right
• Plant in fall for easiest plant establishment, or plant in
springtime only if summer irrigation is available.
• Dig holes twice as wide as root ball; spread out roots
• Fill soil to same level on stem as at nursery – root ball
completely covered and trunk flare at grade. Planting
trees too deep and shrubs too shallow often kills them.
Tamp soil, then water well to establish good root contact.
• Mulch after planting. Stake trees only if needed, loosely
so they can move and bark is not constricted.
• Turf/lawns require at least 6-8 inches of compost-
amended soil, whether for seed or sod. Seeding gives
better long-term root establishment, hardiness, and
drought-tolerance than sod. Single-species sod should
be avoided. For best turf establishment, seed April 15-
May 15 or Sept. 15-Oct. 15, and irrigate through the first
dry season. Select a blend of Northwest-adapted
grasses, plus broadleaf plants like clover and lawn
daisies, for durable turf where a few “weeds” won’t look
out of place (see Resources).

Resource-efficient Natural Landscaping: Design – Build – Maintain 4

Verify proper installation Train end-users for sustainable care
• Verify proper soil preparation by inspecting delivery • Provide users or maintenance staff with a written
tickets for compost, digging a few test holes to verify Landscape Maintenance Plan (see Resources), involve
blending, and pushing a bar in to verify uncompacted soil them in its design, and train as needed. Plans should
to at least 12 inch depth. include clear how-to methods and resources covering the
activities described in the Maintenance section:
- Integrated pest and weed management
- Turf and plant maintenance
- Special needs during the establishment period such as
extra watering or weeding
- Regular soil building with mulch: methods for recycling
landscape wastes (leaves, prunings) into mulch; and
methods for mulch-mowing turf areas
- Irrigation system inspection and maintenance.
• Provide a Maintenance Budget Impact Statement as part
of that plan that estimates staff, material, and equipment
costs required, both during the establishment period and
for the long-term.
• Verify plants are planted at proper depth, are located as
designed, and grouped to fit their irrigation hydrozones. • Build essential maintenance equipment (such as mulching
lawn mowers and chippers) into the construction budget,
• Verify proper irrigation system or ensure that maintenance budget will provide them.
installation and pressure-test
while trenches are still open. • Ensure that follow-up training will be provided as
maintenance and operations staff change.
• Test (audit) irrigation system
after installation to verify:
- Uniform coverage in each
zone
- Application rates match
design and Water Budget
- No overspray onto pavement
or dissimilar plant zones –
replace or adjust heads as
needed.
• Set irrigation controllers to match designed Water Budget
and tested application rates. Set up ET (evapo-
transpiration) based scheduling, or provide managers
with manual scheduling to match application rates to
seasonal needs – apply less in spring and fall or during
cooler weather (see Resources for more irrigation tips).

Resource-efficient Natural Landscaping: Design – Build – Maintain 5

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Start right: plant establishment Use integrated pest, disease, and weed
• New landscapes need extra care during the establishment management to promote plant health
period (first 2-5 years): • IPM steps include:
- More regular watering until roots go deep
1) Prevention first: plant vigorous, pest-resistant, site-
- Weeding and mulching until plants fill in adapted varieties. Plan cultural practices to minimize
- Replacement of unhealthy plants, or plants that don’t pests (watering, mulching, pruning – see Resources).
grow well in their site conditions
2) Identify/know the pest (weed, etc.) life cycle.
- Troubleshooting problems with plants, irrigation,
drainage, pests, and public use of landscape 3) Set action thresholds – tolerate some damage.

• Budget and plan for these extra needs. Educate public 4) Monitor regularly (keep records of monitoring).
and staff to build their ownership and care. 5) When pests exceed threshold, use control method
with the least non-target impact. (Try cultural,
Build the soil for healthier plants physical, or biological methods first. As a last resort,
use spot applications of least toxic chemical.) Only
• Recycle landscape “wastes” back into the site: fall leaves treat when the pest is most vulnerable and its natural
as mulch or compost, chipped prunings as mulch, grass enemies are in their least susceptible life stage.
clippings through mulch-mowing.
6) Keep records of control methods and results,
• Mulch tree and shrub evaluate, and adapt cultural practices.
beds every 1-2 years
with arborist wood chips, 7) Replace problem plants/designs with more pest,
shredded fall leaves, disease, and weed-resistant varieties.
coarse bark, nut or • Weed control methods:
coffee hulls, etc. to
- Crowd out weeds with dense healthy plantings, ground
control weeds, conserve
covers and shade canopies.
water in summer and
prevent erosion and - Accept a few weeds – target the problem ones.
compaction in winter, - Mulch beds in fall, winter, or early spring.
reduce runoff, and - Control weeds before they go to seed.
slowly feed the soil.
Mulch annual beds with - Hoe, pull, mow, or till (mulch makes hoeing easier).
non-woody materials like - Use flame or radiant heat weeders over pavement,
compost or shredded cracks, fencelines, and building edges, or over mulch
leaves. on rainy days (use fire precautions as per equipment
labeling).
• Poor soil can be
improved by: - Use barriers: newspaper or cardboard covered with
mulch, root barriers for spreading plants. Landscape
- Tilling in 1-3 inches of compost and replanting, or fabric can create problems as weeds grow through it –
- Mulching with compost to feed the soil, then covering paper or cardboard is better.
with a woody mulch for weed control - Don’t over-fertilize – it promotes weeds and pests.
- Topdressing turf with compost (see below)
- Spot apply the least-toxic chemical (e.g. soap and
• Fertilize only if needed. Usually trees and shrubs get all vinegar-based weed killers, or cut-and-paint stems with
the nutrients they need from compost-amended soil and systemic herbicides) to minimize non-weed impacts.
regular mulching. Lawns and specialty plants like roses • If a pesticide must be used, always post signs for at least
may need some fertilization. Select slow-release or
24 hours stating: area affected; date/time applied;
natural organic fertilizers for healthier plants, fewer pest
specific pesticide used; re-entry cautions (from label);
problems, and less runoff pollution. and phone number to call with questions. Always follow
• Get a soil test if plant problems appear; correct any pH, label for application and protection. Professional appliers
lime, or mineral deficiencies found. (including users of “weed & feed,” or even low-risk
herbicides like vinegar) must be licensed by State law,
• Watch drainage patterns in winter. Soggy soils or excess see http://agr.wa.gov/PestFert/Pesticides/ .
runoff may require drainage solutions, or replanting with
more wet-adapted plants. • See Resources for more IPM methods, pesticide hazard
tier tables, and alternative controls.

Resource-efficient Natural Landscaping: Design – Build – Maintain 6

Replace problem plants broadleaf plants in lawns, such as clover which is
beneficial to turf. Decide which species are a problem,
• If a plant has repeated pest or disease problems, or isn’t and just target those. Avoid broadcast herbicides like
thriving in its site, it is cheaper in the long run to replace “weed & feed” – use manual control or spot applications
it with a better-adapted variety. instead.
• Sometimes entire landscapes, or portions, don’t fit site • Consider changing turf areas that don’t grow well (in
conditions or end-uses well, resulting in high shade, slopes, poorly drained soil, etc.) to other better-
maintenance needs and poor performance. They can adapted plants.
often be converted to better-adapted plants or designs in
sections or phases, during the annual maintenance cycles • See Resources for complete Lawn Care manual.
or at seasons when staff has more time.
Water smart for irrigation savings
Prune less, thin and mulch more • Over-watering is a common cause of plant disease
• Minimize pruning by choosing plants that will fit at their problems. Under-watering stresses plants. Know the
mature size. Pruned hedges are very labor-intensive – plant’s needs, and water just enough.
using fence and/or mature sized plants is more • Water deeply (to moisten the plant’s whole root zone)
sustainable. but less frequently. Water annuals at the first sign of
• Prune for plant health. Avoid topping cuts on trees. wilting, but perennials and turf only need water if they
stay droopy after it cools off in the evening. Trees and
• Recycle prunings as chips for mulch. shrubs in good soil with mulch rarely need water after
• Thin excess plants as the landscape matures, to allow establishment (first 2-5 years) except in extremely dry
adequate room for full growth. summers.

• Keep on mulching until ground covers and canopy close • Make every drop of water count, by:
completely – weeds love bare soil. - Building soil with compost
- Mulching regularly (re-mulch every 1-2 years)
- Mulch-mowing lawns, at proper height
- Choosing low water use plants
- Grouping plants by water need, and matching to
irrigation zones (with turf on separate zones)
- Using soaker or drip systems in beds, covered with
mulch, to reduce evaporation
- Preventing runoff by slowing application rate
- Watering early or late, to avoid mid-day evaporation
Maintain turf sustainably losses (50% is wasted at mid-day!)

• Mow higher (1.5-2.5 inches), mow regularly, and leave • Use automatic irrigation systems efficiently:
the clippings, to improve turf density and health. - Schedule per Water Budget, then adjust downward to
Professional mulching mowers save 40% of total mowing minimum needed for plant health. Learn about
time by eliminating bagging and disposal. scheduling at www.IWMS.org .

• Fertilize, if needed, in the fall with a slow-release, natural - Record schedule for reuse and fine-tuning.
organic, or “bridge” (combination) fertilizer. Calcium - Adjust schedule every few weeks based on seasonal
(lime) improves soil pH; iron limits moss. Base long-term need (less in spring and fall, or if it rains), or use an ET
fertilization programs on regular soil testing – rely mainly (evapotranspiration)-based computer controller.
on soil-building methods. - Visually check spray patterns every few weeks – look
• Water deeply, to moisten entire root zone, but less for broken or misaligned heads.
frequently. Apply about 1 inch of water per week at • Inspect irrigation systems annually:
midsummer, less in spring and fall. Or let turf areas that
- Run system, walk through looking for problems.
don’t get heavy wear go brown and dormant until fall –
just water deeply once each rainless month to keep - Check for broken, sunken, or misaligned heads.
growing crowns healthy. - Test backflow and check valves.
• Improve poor lawn areas by aerating, overseeding with a - Test rain sensor and flow sensor (line break) shutoffs.
locally adapted grass seed blend, and top-dressing with - Replace parts with identical parts (e.g. heads).
½ inch of compost, in spring or fall. - Audit system completely (test flow rates, uniform
• Manage weeds by maintaining dense turf with proper application) every 1-2 years. See Resources for more
mowing, fertilization, and overseeding. Accept some on irrigation and watering.

Resource-efficient Natural Landscaping: Design – Build – Maintain 7

Make space for nature
• Zone highly maintained landscape elements (lawns,
flower beds) closer to buildings.
• Leave or restore wilder, “buffer” areas toward perimeter,
near waterways or slopes.
• Use native plant communities where possible, and select
plants, shrubs, and trees to support birds and beneficial
insects (see Resources).
• Leave room for nature to move – trees to fall, plants to
grow, or streams to meander – by limiting hardscaping
and avoiding linear/geometric designs. Curves and softer
engineering are more forgiving and easier/cheaper to
maintain and repair.

Train and support staff and users,

for long-term success
• Involve maintenance staff in planning, equipment
selection, and redesign of problem areas.
• Provide or pay for annual training opportunities in
Integrated Pest Management, turf and tree care,
irrigation systems, soil building and composting, etc. to
build skills and stewardship.
• Regularly review and update the Landscape Maintenance
Plan, so that it guides current practices.
• Ensure training for new staff and managers.
• Educate users/public about the landscape’s benefits: low
pesticide, fertilizer and water use, benefits to wildlife,
water quality and public health – and how a few weeds,
bugs, mulch, etc. help create those benefits.

Photos courtesy of: front cover (houses) Pt. Blakely Communities; page 2 (site plan) Stenn Design; page 3 (diagram) AHBL Planning;
page 4 (fenced tree) Seattle Department of Transportation; page 5 (irrigation trench) Seattle Center; all others Seattle Public Utilities.

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Soil best practices, design specifications, examples, Soil Natural Drainage Systems design guidelines, examples,
BMP Manual, compost and mulch sources, soil testing labs, and related links in the Seattle Stormwater Code,
and more, www.SoilsforSalmon.org www.seattle.gov/util/NaturalSystems
Natural lawn & garden design and maintenance for the Tree selection for streets and other space-limited sites, City
general public and for professionals, codes, tree maintenance, arborist mulch sources,
www.seattle.gov/util/services/Yard www.seattle.gov/transportation/Forestry.htm
See the Integrated Pest Management, plant selection and soil
Seattle Green Factor guidelines for maximizing landscape
sections, example landscape maintenance plans, and the
values in urban development,
Ecologically Sound Lawn Care manual.
www.seattle.gov/dpd/GreenFactor
Expert advice is available at the Natural Lawn & Garden
Hotline, call (206) 633-0224 or e-mail Permitting requirements such as Shoreline, Critical Areas,
[email protected] and conservation codes, search www.seattle.gov/dpd
Outside Seattle, contact your local planning department.
Pesticide risk reduction tier tables and City of Seattle
landscape guidelines Green building information (green roofs, landscape
www.seattle.gov/environment/Pesticides.htm materials, etc.), www.seattle.gov/dpd/GreenBuilding
For alternative, less toxic weed, pest and disease control
methods see the IPM section above.
Seattle
Water conservation by design, operations, and efficient
irrigation systems, www.SavingWater.org
Public
Utilities
Resource-efficient Natural Landscaping: Design – Build – Maintain ©2007 Seattle Public Utilities 8