| Introduction |
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1 | (1) |
| About This Book |
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2 | (3) |
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3 | (1) |
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3 | (1) |
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4 | (1) |
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4 | (1) |
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PART 1 GETTING STARTED WITH LOW-WATER LANDSCAPING |
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5 | (96) |
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Chapter 1 Lacking Water? No Problem |
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1 | (20) |
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Defining Low-Water Landscaping |
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8 | (3) |
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Seeing where it makes sense to implement |
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8 | (1) |
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Understanding why being water-wise is important |
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9 | (1) |
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Leveraging your water sources |
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9 | (1) |
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Eliminating wasteful watering practices |
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10 | (1) |
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Replacing Impractical Plants with Practical Ones |
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11 | (2) |
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11 | (1) |
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Considering lawn alternatives |
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12 | (1) |
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Checking Out Suitable Ornamental Plants |
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13 | (4) |
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Looking at the different types |
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14 | (1) |
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Identifying appropriate plants |
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14 | (3) |
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Exploring Beauty and Color Tricks |
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17 | (4) |
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Building up your yard from the ground up |
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17 | (1) |
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Exploring dry-design ideas |
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17 | (1) |
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Borrowing ideas from nature |
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18 | (3) |
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Chapter 2 Conserving and Harvesting Water |
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21 | (20) |
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21 | (4) |
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22 | (1) |
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23 | (1) |
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Looking at what you can do to reduce evaporation |
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23 | (1) |
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Differentiating between drought-resistant and drought-tolerant |
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24 | (1) |
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Knowing Where Your Water Comes from |
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25 | (4) |
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Eyeing issues with primary sources |
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25 | (1) |
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Looking at how water is accessed |
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26 | (3) |
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Checking on Your Landscape's Water Use |
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29 | (4) |
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29 | (1) |
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Working with the ideal guideline |
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30 | (1) |
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31 | (2) |
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Collecting and Storing Water |
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33 | (5) |
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34 | (3) |
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37 | (1) |
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38 | (1) |
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Using Gray Water: A Good Idea? |
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38 | (3) |
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Chapter 3 Waste Not, Want Not: Watering Strategically |
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41 | (20) |
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Recognizing the Purpose of Watering |
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42 | (1) |
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Transitioning to Low-Water Use |
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43 | (2) |
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43 | (1) |
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44 | (1) |
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Doing what the professionals do |
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44 | (1) |
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Strategizing Your Watering Plan |
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45 | (5) |
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Grouping plants in water-need zones |
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45 | (1) |
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Watering individual plants versus watering broad areas |
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46 | (2) |
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Planting in blocks versus planting in rows |
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48 | (1) |
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Watering in two intervals |
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48 | (1) |
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Deciding how deeply to water |
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49 | (1) |
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Figuring Out When to Water |
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50 | (1) |
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Comparing morning watering and evening watering |
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50 | (1) |
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Watering through the seasons |
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50 | (1) |
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Touring Low-Tech Watering Aids |
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51 | (5) |
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Deploying buried clay pots |
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51 | (2) |
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Trying bottle-drip irrigation |
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53 | (1) |
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Putting in wicking systems |
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54 | (1) |
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54 | (1) |
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55 | (1) |
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Avoiding Watering of Foliage |
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56 | (1) |
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Hand-Watering: Bonding with Your Plants |
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56 | (2) |
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57 | (1) |
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57 | (1) |
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Tackling Special Watering Challenges |
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58 | (3) |
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58 | (1) |
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Accessing a distant water source |
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59 | (1) |
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60 | (1) |
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Dealing with standing water |
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60 | (1) |
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Chapter 4 Making Soil Your Ally |
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61 | (22) |
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Understanding Soil Composition |
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62 | (6) |
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Going deep into topsoil and subsoil |
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62 | (2) |
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64 | (1) |
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Discovering soil pH and why if's important |
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64 | (2) |
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The struggle is real: Recognizing types of soil |
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66 | (2) |
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Enhancing/Making Improved Soil |
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68 | (8) |
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Appreciating the need for organic matter |
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69 | (1) |
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Recognizing the types of organic matter |
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70 | (1) |
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71 | (1) |
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71 | (1) |
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72 | (2) |
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Eyeing the basics of biochar |
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74 | (2) |
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Caring for Your Soil -- The Best Practices |
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76 | (2) |
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76 | (1) |
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76 | (1) |
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77 | (1) |
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Cultivating and tilling -- not so fast |
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77 | (1) |
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Exploring the Soil-Water Relationship in Your Landscape |
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78 | (2) |
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78 | (1) |
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Leveraging the relationship |
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78 | (2) |
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Mitigating Drainage and Runoff Issues |
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80 | (3) |
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Identifying site challenges |
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80 | (1) |
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81 | (1) |
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Helping plants by manipulating soil |
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81 | (2) |
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Chapter 5 Watering with Irrigation Systems |
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83 | (18) |
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Considering Outgoing Line Items |
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84 | (3) |
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84 | (1) |
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Installing a backflow preventer |
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85 | (1) |
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86 | (1) |
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Installing a pressure regulator |
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86 | (1) |
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87 | (1) |
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Installing a water hammer arrestor |
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87 | (1) |
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Installing In-Ground Drip Irrigation |
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87 | (9) |
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Understanding why ifs a big advancement |
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88 | (1) |
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88 | (1) |
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Shopping for drip-irrigation supplies |
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89 | (1) |
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90 | (1) |
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Contemplating irrigating options |
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91 | (1) |
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Understanding emitter options |
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92 | (1) |
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93 | (1) |
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Getting good coverage on a planting bed |
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94 | (1) |
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Hiring and supervising a contractor |
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95 | (1) |
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Maintaining Watering Systems |
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96 | (3) |
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Keeping up with routine maintenance |
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96 | (1) |
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97 | (1) |
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Watching your plants and adjusting |
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98 | (1) |
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Readying a system for winter |
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98 | (1) |
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99 | (2) |
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Eyeing in-ground sprinklers |
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99 | (1) |
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Looking at temporary sprinklers |
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100 | (1) |
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PART 2 MAKING SMART PLANT CHOICES |
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101 | (102) |
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Chapter 6 Choosing Flowers |
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103 | (18) |
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Selecting and Planting Perennials |
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104 | (12) |
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104 | (2) |
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106 | (1) |
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107 | (8) |
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115 | (1) |
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Avoiding Commitments with Annuals |
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116 | (5) |
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Jump-starting your annuals |
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117 | (1) |
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Showcasing your annuals you plant |
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117 | (1) |
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118 | (2) |
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Selecting for less-sunny settings |
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120 | (1) |
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Chapter 7 Selecting Succulents |
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121 | (18) |
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Recognizing Trailing and Groundcovering Types |
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122 | (5) |
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Eyeing the wonderful world of sedums |
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122 | (4) |
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Considering other succulent carpeters |
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126 | (1) |
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Planting Clump-Forming/Solo Types |
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127 | (12) |
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128 | (2) |
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130 | (3) |
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133 | (6) |
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Chapter 8 In It for the Long Haul: Shrubs, Vines, and Trees |
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139 | (18) |
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Identifying Shrubs for Dry Settings |
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140 | (10) |
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Recognizing natives and nativars |
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141 | (3) |
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Considering nonnative options |
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144 | (4) |
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Adding low-water hedges to your yard |
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148 | (1) |
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Identifying recommended roses |
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149 | (1) |
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Hanging Low -- Fine Vines |
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150 | (2) |
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152 | (5) |
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Listing the best trees for low-water landscapes |
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153 | (2) |
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Keeping existing trees healthy |
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155 | (2) |
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Chapter 9 Raising Edible Foods |
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157 | (18) |
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Planning before You Plant |
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158 | (2) |
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Getting Started -- Steps to Growing Your Own Food |
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160 | (4) |
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160 | (1) |
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Choosing appropriate varieties |
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161 | (1) |
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161 | (1) |
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Watering for productive harvests |
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162 | (1) |
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163 | (1) |
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Going with Traditional Veggies |
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164 | (3) |
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Trying cooler/shoulder-season favorites |
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164 | (1) |
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Identifying hot-weather stalwarts |
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165 | (2) |
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167 | (2) |
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Considering unusual, little-known veggies |
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167 | (1) |
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167 | (2) |
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169 | (1) |
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170 | (5) |
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Recognizing fruit-bearing trees |
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171 | (2) |
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Contemplating fruit-bearing shrubs |
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173 | (1) |
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Trying fruit-bearing vines |
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173 | (2) |
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Chapter 10 Planting and Caring for Low-Water Plants |
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175 | (28) |
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Considering the Many Sources for Landscape Plants |
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175 | (10) |
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Shopping at local nurseries |
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176 | (5) |
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Considering mail-order shopping |
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181 | (3) |
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Acquiring plants at other places |
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184 | (1) |
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185 | (3) |
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Planting in spring for quick transformation |
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185 | (2) |
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Planning ahead with fall planting |
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187 | (1) |
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Staying away from summer planting |
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187 | (1) |
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Avoiding planting pitfalls |
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188 | (1) |
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Focusing on Planting Techniques |
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188 | (5) |
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Digging and setting in place |
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189 | (2) |
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Clustering your plantings |
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191 | (1) |
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192 | (1) |
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193 | (2) |
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Answering the question: To feed or not to feed? |
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193 | (1) |
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Understanding fertilizer and its use |
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193 | (1) |
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Knowing the best time to fertilize |
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194 | (1) |
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195 | (4) |
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Taking care of them during the early days |
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195 | (1) |
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Training plants where you want them to grow |
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196 | (1) |
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197 | (1) |
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198 | (1) |
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Transplanting and relocating |
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198 | (1) |
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Understanding and Managing Plant Needs |
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199 | (4) |
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Identifying signs of stress |
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199 | (2) |
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Watering to rescue a plant |
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201 | (1) |
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201 | (2) |
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PART 3 LEAVING YOUR LAWN BEHIND |
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203 | (60) |
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Chapter 11 Taking Out a Lawn |
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205 | (16) |
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Eliminating Your Lawn: Yes or No? |
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206 | (3) |
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Getting rid of your lawn, the pros |
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206 | (1) |
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Removing your lawn, the cons |
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207 | (2) |
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Phasing in the Big Change |
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209 | (2) |
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209 | (1) |
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Reducing or halting watering |
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210 | (1) |
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211 | (6) |
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211 | (1) |
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Doing it right -- handy tools to help |
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211 | (2) |
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Doing the work, step by step |
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213 | (4) |
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217 | (4) |
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Sheet mulching -- smothering the lawn |
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217 | (1) |
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Solarizing -- Cooking it to death |
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218 | (1) |
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Encouraging it to die a natural death |
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218 | (1) |
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219 | (2) |
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Chapter 12 Replacing Grass with Low-Water Solutions |
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221 | (20) |
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Examining Drought-Resistant Grasses |
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223 | (6) |
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Recognizing advantages of these grasses |
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223 | (1) |
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Identifying top drought-resistant grasses |
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224 | (2) |
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226 | (2) |
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Planting drought-resistant grasses |
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228 | (1) |
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Catching the Eye with Ornamental Grasses |
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229 | (4) |
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229 | (1) |
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Considering the pros and cons |
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230 | (1) |
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Eyeing top drought-tolerant choices |
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231 | (2) |
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Considering Other Low-Growing Plants |
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233 | (1) |
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Going Wild with a Meadow Garden |
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234 | (7) |
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Getting started on your meadow area |
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236 | (1) |
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Preparing the site and soil |
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236 | (1) |
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Choosing appropriate plants |
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237 | (1) |
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Keeping your meadow looking nice |
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238 | (3) |
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Chapter 13 Considering Artificial Turf |
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241 | (8) |
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Getting Real about Artificial Turf |
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242 | (4) |
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Understanding why homeowners choose synthetic lawns |
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242 | (1) |
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242 | (1) |
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243 | (2) |
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245 | (1) |
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Finding out about desirable features |
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245 | (1) |
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Avoiding undesirable features |
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246 | (1) |
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Taking the Plunge with Artificial Turf |
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246 | (2) |
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Recognizing how ifs sold and installed |
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246 | (1) |
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Checking out the expenses |
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247 | (1) |
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Finding out how long the process takes |
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247 | (1) |
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Preparing for installation |
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247 | (1) |
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Understanding proper installation |
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247 | (1) |
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Remembering Some Maintenance Do's and Don'ts |
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248 | (1) |
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Chapter 14 Pondering Rock Gardening |
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249 | (14) |
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Taking a Hard Look at Rock Gardening |
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249 | (5) |
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250 | (1) |
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Avoiding unimaginative landscaping |
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251 | (1) |
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Working with stones and rocks the right way |
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252 | (2) |
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Identifying Your Materials Options |
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254 | (2) |
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Considering the realm of gravel and small stones |
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255 | (1) |
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Reflecting on decorative rocks |
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255 | (1) |
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Contemplating larger rocks |
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256 | (1) |
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Looking at fake/faux products |
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256 | (1) |
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Installing Rock Materials and Rocks |
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256 | (4) |
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Putting in groundcovering gravel, step by step |
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257 | (1) |
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Maneuvering bigger rocks into place |
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258 | (2) |
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Being Aware of Practical Considerations |
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260 | (3) |
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260 | (1) |
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Contending with rocky challenges |
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260 | (1) |
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Keeping rock displays looking fresh |
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261 | (2) |
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PART 4 LANDSCAPING WITH WATERING NEEDS IN MIND |
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263 | (62) |
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Chapter 15 Appreciating Mulch and Other Helpful Products |
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265 | (18) |
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266 | (11) |
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266 | (1) |
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Figuring out how much mulch to buy |
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267 | (2) |
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Reviewing the types of organic mulch |
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269 | (1) |
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270 | (1) |
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Applying and replenishing mulch |
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271 | (3) |
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Coping with mulching problems |
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274 | (3) |
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Assessing Water-Storing Crystals |
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277 | (3) |
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Understanding what they are |
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277 | (1) |
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Considering the pros to using crystals |
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277 | (1) |
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Eyeing the cons to using crystals |
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278 | (1) |
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Adding crystals to your shopping list |
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279 | (1) |
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279 | (1) |
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Examining Coconut Coir for the Garden |
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280 | (3) |
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Knowing what coconut coir is |
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280 | (1) |
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Understanding its dry-garden potential |
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281 | (1) |
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Shopping for and rehydrating coconut coir |
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282 | (1) |
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Being aware when using coir |
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282 | (1) |
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Chapter 16 Keeping Water in Your Yard |
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283 | (14) |
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284 | (2) |
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284 | (1) |
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285 | (1) |
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285 | (1) |
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Adding Borders and Buffers |
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286 | (5) |
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286 | (1) |
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287 | (2) |
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Consider trenches, swales, basins, and berms |
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289 | (2) |
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Installing Dry Streambeds |
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291 | (2) |
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291 | (1) |
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291 | (1) |
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Installing a dry streambed yourself |
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292 | (1) |
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293 | (1) |
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Leveraging Shade to Conserve Water |
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294 | (2) |
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Getting Help from Hardscape |
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296 | (1) |
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Chapter 17 Succeeding with Potted Plants |
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297 | (10) |
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Giving Your Potted Plants a Good Start |
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298 | (2) |
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Identifying good pots and bad pots |
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298 | (1) |
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Shopping for appropriate soil mixes |
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299 | (1) |
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Potting your containers the right way |
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299 | (1) |
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Managing Water Consumption in Pots |
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300 | (2) |
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Hand-watering potted plants |
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300 | (1) |
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Considering self-watering systems |
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301 | (1) |
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Taking Good Care of Potted Plants |
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302 | (2) |
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302 | (1) |
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Placing plants to make them happier |
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303 | (1) |
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Recognizing Some Plants for Pots |
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304 | (3) |
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Chapter 18 Including Water Features in Your Landscape |
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307 | (10) |
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Putting in a Pond or Pool |
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308 | (7) |
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Pondering a recirculating pump |
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308 | (1) |
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308 | (4) |
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Recognizing pool variations |
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312 | (1) |
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Considering potential issues |
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312 | (1) |
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Eyeing recommended water-garden plants |
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313 | (1) |
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Making a small, containerized display |
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314 | (1) |
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Adding Pretty and Practical Water Features |
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315 | (2) |
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Enjoying a private fountain |
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315 | (1) |
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Splishing and splashing -- birdbaths |
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316 | (1) |
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Chapter 19 Updating Xeriscaping for Today's Low-Water Landscapes |
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317 | (8) |
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Comprehending Just the Basics |
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318 | (5) |
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318 | (1) |
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Selecting suitable plants |
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318 | (2) |
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Grouping plants appropriately |
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320 | (1) |
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Mulching for maximum benefits |
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320 | (1) |
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Pivoting to practical grassy areas |
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321 | (1) |
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322 | (1) |
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Maintaining what you plant |
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323 | (1) |
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323 | (2) |
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|
|
325 | (16) |
|
Chapter 20 Ten Ways to Avoid Wasting Landscape Water |
|
|
327 | (6) |
|
|
|
328 | (1) |
|
Choosing Your Plants Wisely |
|
|
328 | (1) |
|
|
|
329 | (1) |
|
|
|
329 | (1) |
|
Mulching -- and Mulching Some More |
|
|
330 | (1) |
|
Investing in a Watering System |
|
|
330 | (1) |
|
|
|
330 | (1) |
|
|
|
331 | (1) |
|
|
|
332 | (1) |
|
|
|
332 | (1) |
|
Chapter 21 Ten Great-Looking, Low-Water Plants |
|
|
333 | (8) |
|
|
|
334 | (1) |
|
Blue Fescue, Festuca glauca |
|
|
334 | (1) |
|
Butterfly Weed, Asclepias |
|
|
335 | (1) |
|
|
|
335 | (1) |
|
|
|
336 | (1) |
|
Hens and Chicks, Echeveria |
|
|
337 | (1) |
|
|
|
337 | (1) |
|
Russian Sage, Perovskia atriplicifolia |
|
|
338 | (1) |
|
|
|
338 | (1) |
|
|
|
339 | (2) |
| Index |
|
341 | |
