Increase your curb appeal, reduce water use, and receive money from the State of Utah with the Flip your Strip program.

Park strips are one of the largest water wasters in a residential landscape because they are so hot and narrow which inspired the flip your strip program. Overhead spray sprinklers are inefficient in areas less than 8’ wide. Park strips are the easiest places to begin the transition to a more Utah-friendly landscape. They require minimal landscape design and are usually on their own sprinkler zone. A typical family uses between 7,000 to 10,000 gallons of water per year on their park strips.

Process to Flip Your Strip

It’s quite easy to get going on this project and I will break down each of the following Steps:

1. Removal of Sod
2. Convert Sprinkler Zone to a Drip Zone
3. Choose Plants and Rocks
4. Prep and Plant
5. Cost
6. Enjoy

Sod Removal

We begin the process by starting to prep the area for sod removal by shutting off the water to the park strips.  This is important as when you are removing grass you can sometimes damage heads and break sprinkler lines.  To remove the sod you will want to use a sod cutter for small areas and for larger areas you can use a mini excavator.  You want to go down 2” to ensure there is room for the rocks that you will use to replace the grass.

Convert Sprinkler Zone to a Drip Zone

When we convert the sprinkler system we will no longer be using sprinkler heads.  The sprinkler line will be cut and will be replaced with a drip tube line.  This allows you the homeowner to run water directly to each plant that is chosen.  This is much more efficient and helps with water conversation.  As a general rule of thumb you use 2 gallons drip heads for shrubs and 5 gallon drip head for trees.  

You will usually run the drip system for 45 minutes or less as it goes directly to the plants.

Choose Plants and Rocks

There are over 1,000 plants that you can choose from that have been highly tested to ensure good growth in the Utah Climate.  Most people think their strip will look like a desert but with the right choices you can have incredible foliage and plants that will blossom spring, summer, and fall.  

Choose colors that you have in your existing landscape so that it compliments and ties in seamlessly with your yard.  Grasses are also an excellent option as not only do they come in different colors and sizes they are very drought resistant.  Most grasses fall are also fast growing.  They can reach a maturity in a couple of years if not sooner.  

Trees are a great in landscape strips as they provide good shade for other plants and fill space.  You will want to check your city regulations on which trees you are allowed to plant in park strips.  Each city will have a defined list of trees that are allowed.  

There are several rock options to choose from with varying colors and sizes.  River rocks are usually better suited for the northern part of Utah as their colors blend better and don’t produce a desert vibe.  Typically rocks that are ½ minus or larger are also better for strips and they won’t compact and harden.

Coming up with the right plan can be the ultimate challenge. We’ve taken the guesswork out of it for you with our ready-made plans. These plans are adaptable to any size park strip. I have included a link with several options that you can choose from that will fit your needs. 

Prep and Plant

You have chosen the plants and we just need to finish the preparation in order to plant.  You will want to install a heavy duty weed fabric since rock will be used.  Once that is laid you will stake it down to ensure it won’t move and keep it in place.  This weed fabric does as its name implies and will help keep the area free from weeds.  

All the plants that you chose will now be laid out to ensure accurate spacing and get the design and look that is desired.  You will cut a hole slightly larger than the plant in the weed fabric using a utility knife.  Dig the hole to the depth of the plant base and ensure that the dirt is well aerated.  

Once planted you can begin to run drip lines to each plant.  It is important at this step to test the drip line to ensure it is working properly.  If rock is placed before this step it can be difficult to ensure proper irrigation.  

Place the rock and be careful not to damage the new planted shrubs and trees.  A wheel barrow and shovel can be used for small areas while larger areas will typically require a skid steer.  

Cost

A good rule of thumb for the cost of the xeriscape project is $7 to $8 a sq ft.  This depends on the plants and rock that is chosen as well.  The State of Utah is offsetting this cost with a rebate program and they will reimburse homeowners $1.25 per square foot.  They do have rules that must be followed to ensure that you are eligible.  You have to be the owner of a single family residence and you must currently have grass installed in your park strip.  This program is not for new homeowners that haven’t installed a yard yet.  You must have plants and use a drip system for watering.  

You will typically see a return on investment in a couple of years with a reduced water bill as well as the rebate that you can receive.  Don’t forget to apply for the rebate within 6 months of the project being completed.  

Enjoy

You now get to sit back and enjoy your new water friendly landscape.  Not only are you saving water but you are going to be the envy of the neighborhood with your newly landscaped park strip. Flip your strip is limited so you will want to move forward as soon as you can. If you need any help call Sunsets Landscaping and we will be happy to give you a quote and finish your strip quickly.