Blooming On Kauai

Sustainability is all about creating a long-lasting landscape that thrives with less maintenance and fewer inputs such as irrigation, fertilizer and herbicides. Sustainability means creating a healthy growing environment on your Kauai commercial property so plants will stay healthy. But you might be wondering, how much will it cost to have a landscape that’s “green?”

There’s no easy answer to the cost question because sustainability is not a package deal. It’s a tailored approach that begins with analyzing soil, understanding your property’s microclimate (and respecting that during plant selection), and investing in materials that will stand the test of time.

There’s an initial investment when installing a sustainable landscape, especially if you’re improving land that needs extra TLC. Pinpointing a dollar amount is difficult because one property might need more attention to soil quality, while another might require an upgraded smart irrigation system.

The good news is, you can establish a plan for installing a sustainable landscape on Kauai and accomplish the tasks in phases. Here are five key areas of the landscape to address as you work toward creating a more sustainable environment.

For minding water usage in the landscape, there's no better way to direct H2O straight to the source (plant roots, of course) than drip irrigation. But is drip irrigation a smart solution for your Kauai commercial landscape? There are advantages and disadvantages of drip irrigation, as well as  maintenance concerns that you should know about before you make a decision.

Kauai is surrounded by water, it’s true, but available clean water for drinking, recreational use and keeping our landscapes healthy is limited. We may not experience the water restrictions that other continental states do, but the microclimates here on Kauai prove just how quickly the landscape can go from lush to very thirsty.

At No Ka Oi, water conservation as it relates to our clients’ irrigation is always top of mind. July is officially Smart Irrigation Month, but we’re focused on efficient watering practices year-round. And we’re not just talking about tuning up your irrigation system.

Smart irrigation starts with choosing water-wise plants, then ensuring proper irrigation technology is in place, followed with monitoring the system, and identifying any water-waste culprits. On Kauai, our microclimates affect irrigation efficiency. The east side of the island may get heavy rains, while the dry west side stays parched. Our professionals have a deep knowledge of the island’s weather and how to properly manage irrigation systems no matter where your commercial property is located on Kauai.

Read on for five insights into the plant selection and maintenance expertise our landscape specialists perform to ensure efficient watering.