The Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping The Center for Water-Efficient Landscaping (CWEL) brings together researchers from different disciplines to address complex questions about how to conserve water in Utah landscapes. Faculty, assisted by graduate and undergraduate students, are engaged in numerous projects that have progressed to various stages. Among them are:
Locating desirable, drought-tolerant native plants and discovering ways to grow them in quantities that make them commercially viable for the nursery industry to produce. Several plants are now ready for commercial propagation and
are being introduced to industry along with Nurturing Natives: A Guide to Vegetative Propagation of Native Woody Plants in Utah, a book of “recipes� for the nursery industry and hobbyist interested in growing native plants.
Understanding the genetics of grasses and breeding new varieties that are tolerant to drought and salinity.
Researchers are evaluating 82 varieties of Kentucky bluegrass and 116 of tall fescue. Their data will be available in spring 2015. This effort could expand with additional technicians working in more parts of the state and in a cooperative agreement with The Ridge Golf Course to evaluate real conditions on the Wasatch Front.
Evaluating irrigation controllers that use climate and weather sensors to regulate turning sprinklers on and off. Results show potential water savings of 50% when these controllers are used. These findings will be used in Extension education and Master Gardener mentoring efforts throughout the state and published in journals for scientists, landscape professionals and water managers.
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Utah Science