Duluth UDC § 709

a. Individuals or firms who prepare the plans and plats required by this Article shall use water-efficient landscaping principles and techniques as one of the criterion to be used in plant selection and design. 193 | P a g e Article Seven. Landscaping, Buffers, and Tree Protection 1. Principles and Techniques of Water-Efficient Landscaping. The recommended principles and techniques to be considered are as follows: a. Proper Location and Design - locating plants where they will naturally thrive and not require excessive water and maintenance to survive, as well as grouping plants by water needs, and limiting and concentrating high water using plants. b. Turf Selection - selecting turf grasses that can survive the variable rainfall conditions in this region and limiting turf areas. c. Efficient Watering - once plants are established, avoid watering during periods of normal rainfall and during droughts, watering every week to 10 days or less depending on the drought tolerance of the plants. d. Soil Improvements - loosening and breaking up the soil beyond the immediate planting area to allow better water absorption and to promote deep roots. e. Mulching - using mulch to hold moisture in the soil which helps maximize the benefits of watering as well as preventing weeds. f. Plant Selection - selecting plants according to their watering requirements and optimum locations. g. Maintenance - maintaining the landscape to maximize water conservations such as increasing mowing heights and avoiding fertilizing during dry spells.