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WBWCD committed, along with the other members of the Governor of Utah’s Water Conservation Team, to reduce per capita water use by 25 percent by the year 2050. To help obtain this goal, WBWCD created a water conservation demonstration garden to provide a progressive learning opportunity. The demonstration garden provides an opportunity for community members to learn first-hand about the beautiful types of water wise landscapes in a semi-arid climate. It is intended for visitors to learn not only about plant material that is water wise, but to learn how to care for and irrigate plants in different soil types and slope conditions. This garden creates a setting for outdoor classrooms and scenic nature walks.
WBWCD realizes that conservation of the resources it manages is an important factor in meeting the long-term needs of the communities it serves. Through the demonstration garden, WBWCD will emphasize the need for community members to use their water efficiently in the landscape and to obtain a life style water conservation ethic.
Learning Garden Map
Learning Garden Map Key
1. Residential Landscape Application
a. Front Yard – view two examples of front yard landscaping which reduce turf areas and increase colorful plants and trees that add variety to your yard.
b. Back Yard – view to examples of back yard landscaping that remain very functional and beautiful for entertaining, while being water-wise with reduced turf areas and maintenance requirements.
2. Commercial Landscape Applications – The landscaping around the water filtration building exhibits landscape styles and techniques for commercial applications that are beautiful as well as water-wise by; minimizing turf areas, maximizing the use of colorful water-wise perennials, shrubs and trees, and by using a thick mulch layer to help hold moisture in.
3. Irrigation Demonstration – This exhibit demonstrates some aspects of proper irrigation design, with several different sprinkler types, showing proper spacing and head to head coverage.
4. Turf Grass Demonstration – The six most commonly used species of turf grass in northern Utah are planted here side by side to provide comparisons to help visitors make informed decisions about which grass is right for their application. Each species have different color, texture, water requirements and maintenance requirements.
5. Mulch Demonstration – Demonstrates different types of organic (barks, leaves) and inorganic (rock, sand) mulches and their applications.
6. Soil Profile Demonstration – This exhibit shows how creating the proper soil profiles can be the difference between a successful and healthy landscape.
7. Raised Planter Garden – These raised-bed planter can be beneficial is several ways; adds elements of design to the yard, ease of planting, maintaining and harvesting, minimizes the area of planting, and can avoid poor soil conditions.
8. Park strip Planting – Learn about alternative plant materials for park strips that create a safe and enjoyable environment for pedestrians, which can also be water conserving.
9. Xeric Garden – This area demonstrates a landscape which requires the lowest need for water. After a two to three year establishment period, this landscape should survive on natural precipitation.
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