Frank Henning

1
WaterSmart Horticulture
Frank Henning UGA Watershed Extension Agent,
fhenning_at_uga.edu
How much water can we harvest?
Why is water an issue in Georgia?
How much water do plants need?
Rainfall in Athens, GA 2007 (drought year)
Shrubs Apply 1 GALLON of water per foot of
plant height up to once a week. Lawns
Groundcovers Apply up to 1of water per
application up to once a week Trees Apply 1
INCH of water under entire canopy up to once a
week. (for larger trees dont water area within 4
feet of trunk)
Population Water Use in Georgia, 1950 - 2000

• 9.5 million people depend on a clean water
  supply
• Population is increasing by more than 2.2 a
  year
• Water Use increased 20 between 1990 2000

• Per capita water consumption in the U.S. exceeds
  100 gallons/day
• Water use increases 30 - 50 during the summer
  months
• Landscape use can 59 67 total home water
  demand (AWWA)

Are landscapes important?

• Reduce heat island effects
• Filters air and water
• Reduce runoff, permit infiltration
• Erosion Control
• 1 tree can remove 26 lbs of CO2 from the
  atmosphere, or
• 11,000 miles of car emissions