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Arlington, TX. (February 28, 2008) – With the economy tightening, budget conscious North Texans are asking how they can maintain lush green yards and gardens this year without draining all the “green” from their wallets.  Texas SmartScape® provides the answers! North Texans can learn more about landscaping with native and adapted plants by attending community events planned for the seventh annual March is Texas SmartScape® Month or by visiting www.txsmartscape.com. 

40 to 60% of the typical household’s water bill goes to irrigation. Native and adapted plants require 80% less water, once they are established, than do other plants. And, they can tolerate even the harshest Texas weather, meaning that less money is wasted replacing plants that failed to thrive.

Texas SmartScape helps homeowners learn to use native and adapted plants to beautify their yards. These hardy plants require less water, fertilizers, and pesticides, all while providing a green and beautiful outdoor environment that native birds and butterflies will love to call home. 

Whether you want to replace plants that didn’t survive the past year, design a whole new landscape, or discover new flowers for your garden, www.txsmartscape.com has the tools to help you succeed, including a searchable database that lists hardy plants by color, shape, amount of sunlight or water needed, and many other categories. The site also provides information on landscape design and maintenance.

Throughout March, local cities, counties and organizations will hold events to help North Texans learn how to make their landscapes smarter.  Check out the calendar of local Texas SmartScape Month events at http://www.nctcog.org/envir/events/index.asp (select month of March).

With gas prices at near record highs and economic uncertainty rising, North Texans are looking for ways to save money.  But saving money doesn’t have to mean giving up a lush, beautiful yard.  Here are some Texas SmartScape tips to help you save money on your yard this year.

Plant Selection Tips

• Go native!  Native plants and those adapted to our climate thrive with less water and costly chemicals and fertilizers.  Find a list of native plants at www.txsmartscape.com or ask your local nursery.
• Know before you buy. If you have mostly shade or sun in your yard, know whether the plant you want to buy is suitable to live in those conditions.
• Perennial plants, once established, have a longer lifespan than annuals. They can survive the summer heat and droughts, which can reduce plant replacement costs.

Plant Care Tips

• Use compost as an alternative to chemical fertilizers. Compost is friendlier to the environment and to your wallet.
• If applying yard chemicals, always follow the label instructions carefully. Over-applying any chemicals could harm your plants and drain your wallet.

Watering Tips

• 50% of your irrigation can be lost to evaporation. Water between 8 p.m. and 10 a.m. to avoid this.  Drip irrigation is more efficient; it delivers almost 95% of the water to plants.
• Water deeply and infrequently to help plants develop deep roots.  
• Use 3" of organic mulch in bed areas to reduce watering frequency.

The North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) is a voluntary association of local governments established in 1966 to assist them in planning for common needs, cooperating for mutual benefit, and coordinating for sound regional development. NCTCOG's purpose is to strengthen both the individual and collective power of local governments and to help them recognize regional opportunities, eliminate unnecessary duplication, and make joint decisions.