Newspapers are recycled in the landscape by placing them two sheets thick under mulch when planting seasonal color beds. The newspaper helps hold moisture in the soil and extends time between watering. Also a research area The Resourceful Landscape was designed not only as a demonstration and teaching garden but also as a site for valuable research. Rainfall and irrigation are carefully monitored. Not a drop of water is applied to the garden without being recorded.
Azaleas serve as indicator plants for water stress.
When they turn blue-gray and look wilted, they and other plants in their zone are watered. The first year's data have already provided remarkable results. Only 627 gallons of supplemental water were needed from June 6 to Dec. 3 to keep the garden looking its best. That's the equivalent of letting a single lawn sprinkler run 1 hour and 10 minutes. Typically, a home landscape will get 30 to 50 times this much water in a season.