Low water use landscaping on Fort Huachuca
Fort Huachuca is located in the upper
reaches of the Chihuahuan Desert. Vegetation on Fort Huachuca ranges from
semi-desert grasslands at lower elevations, to scrub oak, pinon-juniper
woodlands and evergreen forests at higher elevations. Fort Huachuca
is noted for biological diversity of plant and animal species not commonly
found in other areas of the United States.
The average, annual precipitation on Fort Huachuca is 15.6
inches, occurring mostly during July through September, with some additional moisture during the
wnter season.
Average annual snowfall is 6.9 inches Elevation ranges from 4,600 feet at
the east entrance of the fort to over 9,000 feet at the top of the
mountains. Average daily temperatures range from 58.7 Fahrenheit in January
to 90.7 Fahrenheit in June. Due to the area's higher elevation and dry
climate, there will typically be a 25-30 degree Fahrenheit variation between the daytime
high and the nighttime low.
Low water use landscaping on Fort Huachuca
Landscaping on Fort Huachuca
Soils
In areas with less than 20 inches of rainfall
per year, such as the built up areas of Fort Huachuca in the lower
elevations, the soils are alkaline. This is due to the calcium
carbonate that is not leached through the soil because of our limited
rainfall. In addition, Arizona soils contain very low levels of nitrogen (a macronutrient
needed by plants in order to thrive) and organic matter (the
remains of plants and animals).
Plant Selection
The best reason for
landscaping with native and non-native adapted plants is that they require
much less care and maintenance than most exotics. Adapted plants
are plants found in other parts of the world that have similar climate
conditions. A native plant is a plant native to the southwestern
United States and northern Mexico. Most of the non-native plants that
people attempt to grow are just not adapted to our soils and climate.
Plants that are not accustomed to high temperatures, low humidity, and
alkaline soils struggle in our climate. This means that the gardener is
constantly fighting with nature to keep the plants alive. Native plants
have chosen this area to grow in because they like the local environment.
They thrive in alkaline soils and have developed mechanisms to deal with
the heat and dryness.
Click here for a PDF brochure of Guide
to Planting Trees, Shrubs and Groundcovers on Ft.
Huachuca
Planting and Soil Amendments
Although Ft. Huachuca soils are lacking in organic matter, when
planting native and adapted plants, one generally does not need to add soil
amendments such as manure, fertilizer and compost. Adding organic material
changes the soil structure from the surrounding native soil. Research
shows that roots within a planting hole where organic material has been
added will circle around within the hole rather than venture out into the
harder to penetrate surrounding soil.
Water Retention Amendments
This type of product is long lasting and easy to use.
It can be used for both indoor and outdoor plants to increase the soil's water holding
capacity. These products absorb water and then slowly release it back into the soil.
Use of
this material will allow for a decrease in the needed watering
frequency. In undisturbed conditions it may last 8-10
years.
In general, one pound of the water retention amendment will absorb up to 48 gallons of
rainwater and 20 to 35 gallons of tap water, depending on the salt
content. The product can be applied wet or dry but dry granules are
generally easier to use. After application, be sure to water the
granules enough to fully fill them with water (hydrate). When hydrated,
the granules look like chunks of gelatin about 1/2 inch in diameter.
Always mix the dry granules evenly though the soil. Follow the
manufacturer's directions closely and do not over apply.
This product can be found at plant nurseries and home improvement centers.
Mulches
Mulches are organic (bark or wood chips, leaves,
grass clippings, compost, hay, straw) or inorganic (gravel,
decorative rocks, sand, decomposed granite) materials that can
be used to cover the soil around the root zones of plants.
Mulching prevents moisture loss from evaporation,
therefore extending periods between waterings by days and sometimes for
even longer periods. By shading the soil, mulches inhibit weed growth.
Weeds that do get through are easy to pull and the number of weeds
needing to be pulled will decrease over time.
Organic mulches help to keep plants cooler, prevent
rainwater runoff, and keep soil from splashing onto plant leaves,
thereby reducing certain diseases.
A good rule of thumb is to apply mulch at least
2-3 inches deep around the root zone of trees, shrubs and
flowerbeds. Remember to keep mulch 2-3 inches away from trunks and
stems.
Weed fabric may be used under mulch as an added measure to keep
weeds down. Do not use black plastic as it does not allow for the
exchange of water and oxygen that plant roots require.
Click here for a PDF brochure on Using
Mulch on Fort Huachuca
Turf
on Fort Huachuca
Bermuda
grass is the main type of turf grass found on Fort Huachuca. It is a
warm season, low maintenance, durable grass that remains green through
much of the summer due to natural rainfall. New Military Family
Housing uses Xeriscape landscaping in the front yards and limited turf
in back yards for family and pet use.
To
further reduce the Fort's water consumption, the golf course and Chaffey
Field are irrigated using treated effluent water.
Click
here for a PDF brochure of Ft.
Huachuca Lawn Seeding and Care Guide
Click
here for a PDF brochure of the Simplified Water Policy Table
