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LID Opportunities in Residential Types (view source)
Revision as of 18:41, 27 September 2017
, 7 years agoCreated page with "On residential lands, hard surfaces such as the roof, patio, walkways and driveways can all be targeted to collect, treat, and infiltrate runoff. The practices you choose will..."
On residential lands, hard surfaces such as the roof, patio, walkways and driveways can all be targeted to collect, treat, and infiltrate runoff. The practices you choose will vary depending on neighbourhood and site constraints [[LINK]] and landscape ideals identified during market research
[[LINK]].
This chapter will provide examples of residential landscape alternatives and LID retrofits that are options for a municipal program. For a good “how to” resource for homeowner LID installation, see TRCA’s Greening Your Grounds: A Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects, available for purchase at [http://TRCA.on.ca TRCA.on.ca].
==Landscape Alternatives==
Landscape alternatives capture rainfall in leafy green foliage. This allows for infiltration, filtration, and evapotranspiration of rainfall and runoff. Landscape alternatives can be designed to require little maintenance and less irrigation after establishment than sod lawns. They are a great water conservation tool.
Landscape alternatives allow homeowners to customize their property’s landscape to their liking. A guiding principal when designing landscape alternatives is “the right plant for the right place”. Use of both native and non-native plants is acceptable as long as the non-native plants are not invasive and do not require frequent watering. There are various landscape alternatives available, including:
*Fusion Landscaping®
*Xeriscaping
*Tree Clusters
===Fusion Landscaping®===
A great example of a landscape alternative is the Region of Peel’s Fusion Landscaping® program. Fusion Landscaping® combines the lush splendour of traditional gardens with modern, eco-friendly plants. This program uses local market research and social marketing to promote behavioural change, address residents’ unique needs, and reduce outdoor water use. For more information, see [http://peelregion.ca/watersmart peelregion.ca/watersmart]
===Xeriscaping===
Xeriscaping refers to landscaping, plantings and gardening practices that reduce or eliminate the need for watering. Synonymous with terms such as water-conservative, xeriscaping was originally promoted in areas with perennial water shortages.
With xeriscaping, plants are selected based on their ability to survive with little water. Additional benefits include reducing water bills, lower maintenance requirements, better plant survival and aesthetics during drought periods. Xeriscaping can be used alone or it can be combined with a larger residential LID program.
===Tree Clusters===
Tree clusters are another residential landscape alternative. They provide some of the function of forested areas by intercepting rainfall and allowing for evapotranspiration and infiltration of stormwater runoff. Tree clusters improve water quality, generate organic soils, absorb greenhouse gases, and provide shade for homes. Tree clusters require larger lot sizes and preferably no overhead wires. They can be planted as a standalone feature or part of a larger residential LID landscape.
==Rain Gardens==
On the outside, rain gardens look like a typical garden. However, their function is much greater than a normal garden. Rain gardens are landscaped areas that include a surface depression of approximately 150 mm (6 inches) that allows runoff from residential property to collect and easily absorb into the ground. Within the rain garden a special type of soil, referred to as bioretention soil media, can be used to improve the amount of water that gets absorbed by the garden and infiltrated into the native soils.
Location is very important to a functioning rain garden. When looking at potential locations, look for low areas where runoff can be easily be directed into the garden. Rain gardens are a great option for residential LID retrofits because homeowners can customize the garden to suit their
desired style. They can be planted with a variety of vegetation including shrubs, grasses and flowers.
A well-designed rain garden can be maintained with minimal care which is a great marketing point for homeowners. In the first two years, the plants will need watering to ensure they become established. After this establishment period, the garden should only need simple maitenance such as weeding.
[[LINK]].
This chapter will provide examples of residential landscape alternatives and LID retrofits that are options for a municipal program. For a good “how to” resource for homeowner LID installation, see TRCA’s Greening Your Grounds: A Homeowners Guide to Stormwater Landscaping Projects, available for purchase at [http://TRCA.on.ca TRCA.on.ca].
==Landscape Alternatives==
Landscape alternatives capture rainfall in leafy green foliage. This allows for infiltration, filtration, and evapotranspiration of rainfall and runoff. Landscape alternatives can be designed to require little maintenance and less irrigation after establishment than sod lawns. They are a great water conservation tool.
Landscape alternatives allow homeowners to customize their property’s landscape to their liking. A guiding principal when designing landscape alternatives is “the right plant for the right place”. Use of both native and non-native plants is acceptable as long as the non-native plants are not invasive and do not require frequent watering. There are various landscape alternatives available, including:
*Fusion Landscaping®
*Xeriscaping
*Tree Clusters
===Fusion Landscaping®===
A great example of a landscape alternative is the Region of Peel’s Fusion Landscaping® program. Fusion Landscaping® combines the lush splendour of traditional gardens with modern, eco-friendly plants. This program uses local market research and social marketing to promote behavioural change, address residents’ unique needs, and reduce outdoor water use. For more information, see [http://peelregion.ca/watersmart peelregion.ca/watersmart]
===Xeriscaping===
Xeriscaping refers to landscaping, plantings and gardening practices that reduce or eliminate the need for watering. Synonymous with terms such as water-conservative, xeriscaping was originally promoted in areas with perennial water shortages.
With xeriscaping, plants are selected based on their ability to survive with little water. Additional benefits include reducing water bills, lower maintenance requirements, better plant survival and aesthetics during drought periods. Xeriscaping can be used alone or it can be combined with a larger residential LID program.
===Tree Clusters===
Tree clusters are another residential landscape alternative. They provide some of the function of forested areas by intercepting rainfall and allowing for evapotranspiration and infiltration of stormwater runoff. Tree clusters improve water quality, generate organic soils, absorb greenhouse gases, and provide shade for homes. Tree clusters require larger lot sizes and preferably no overhead wires. They can be planted as a standalone feature or part of a larger residential LID landscape.
==Rain Gardens==
On the outside, rain gardens look like a typical garden. However, their function is much greater than a normal garden. Rain gardens are landscaped areas that include a surface depression of approximately 150 mm (6 inches) that allows runoff from residential property to collect and easily absorb into the ground. Within the rain garden a special type of soil, referred to as bioretention soil media, can be used to improve the amount of water that gets absorbed by the garden and infiltrated into the native soils.
Location is very important to a functioning rain garden. When looking at potential locations, look for low areas where runoff can be easily be directed into the garden. Rain gardens are a great option for residential LID retrofits because homeowners can customize the garden to suit their
desired style. They can be planted with a variety of vegetation including shrubs, grasses and flowers.
A well-designed rain garden can be maintained with minimal care which is a great marketing point for homeowners. In the first two years, the plants will need watering to ensure they become established. After this establishment period, the garden should only need simple maitenance such as weeding.