The RainCatcher Santa Fe, NM

Working with nature for a greener world

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Sustainable Landscaping Principles

Sustainable landsites are landscapes that can grow and thrive without the constant intervention of human resources.  Most take a good amount of time to fully establish, and require a large amount of energy and resources to get started. In the high desert where soil is extremely fragile and water is limited, design is the most critical factor. Sustainable landscapes eventually provide a constant working relationship and ecological merging of the plants and organisms living within the landscape.

Why should I consider investing in creating a sustainable landscape on my property?

A sustainable landscape requires more thought in regard to design than other landscapes. In order to create a healthy, vibrant, self-sustained landscape we need time and an implementation plan, even if it is over several years.

The most important aspect of a landscape is trees. Trees provide shade, cool the ground, provide organic matter/mulch, pollination, color, wildlife habitat and food – for us and for the surrounding wildlife. Nutrients from deep in the ground are transported by trees to the top of the soil by leaves. As time goes on, it is easier to establish plants under the canopy of a tree because they are protected and don’t need to compete with the tree for resources. Extremely xeric plants do not want to be planted under trees necessarily, but most all plants can benefit from trees.

A landscape that focuses on water harvesting and soil building will need less water over time from unsustainable means (wells, city, municipal). This is the first step towards creating self-sufficiency in a landscape. We can help with the design process and plant options to make your site as sustainable as possible.

Why is design critical?

Design provides a basis for all of our ideas to be on paper so they can thought through, evolve and possibly be modified at a later date. Planning can help to strategically utilize existing resources like rainwater, trees, native shrubs and terrain. It can also help increase co-habitation of native plants, beneficial insects and animals, and save money by anticipating future needs and possible problems. It may take some time upfront to get it finished, but in the end, changes that are made to the landscape are minimal.

How much land do I need to have to create a synergistic/sustainable landscape?

A sustainable landscape can start with just a single tree and some perennial plants under it, on any size property, and grow from there. Or it can be a more elaborate and complex design, planned out in advance and installed all at once. It all depends on your budget, timeline and the size of your dreams!

Can consulting with The RainCatcher on sustainable landscaping be more cost-effective in the long run?

A good design can save thousands of dollars in mistakes, especially with a long-term master plan. With intelligent planning, the entire idea is thought out on paper, and major changes that can be costly are less likely to occur later.

Learn more on our website about Landscaping & Xeriscaping, Permaculture Design and Edible Landscaping. Or contact us to discuss your project and for a free consultation.

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505.501.4407 getgreen@theraincatcherinc.com

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Testimonials

With the RainCatcher’s help, our property has been completely restructured and now retains the moisture that falls on the land. It also reuses all the wastewater that we generate, and collects and reuses the rain and snow moisture that falls on our roof. We have both flowering and fruit-bearing plants and trees, plus healthy soil, which creates a wonderful ecosystem that we enjoy year ’round. In addition to all this, the RainCatcher is very responsive to ongoing maintenance and emergency cal… Read more
Melissa Epple and Dwight Nibbelink, Santa Fe
My first contact with The RainCatcher was at a water forum held in Eldorado. I was so impressed with The RainCatcher’s presentation that I asked Reese if he would like to work with the Eldorado Community Center and design a water catchment system. The RainCatcher was professional and responsive to all of our needs and his crews were courteous and helpful. The project was done on time and within budget. Thanks RainCatcher!
Bill Donohue, General Manager, Eldorado Community Improvement Association
We highly recommend The Raincatcher if you choose to harvest nature’s water elements. They installed our system after our well became unusable, utilizing our existing plumbing and adding other components. Their employees were conscientious and reliable, and our system works as they promised it would! We were pleased that we did not have anything freeze when it got down to 21 below zero – neighbors around us had quite a few issues!
Michelle and Terry Rothwell, Santa Fe
Our experience working with The RainCatcher was exceptional – and exciting from the beginning. This company is very detail-oriented and in constant communication with the client and landscape designer. We were very impressed with the camaraderie and respect between Reese and his crew. Our finished patio is perfect. The rock work, exquisite.
Louise and Kirk Casselman, Santa Fe
We are so pleased with the work that the RainCatcher has done at our home. They have transformed our yard into a beautiful garden that we can enjoy year round. The attention to detail used to create our catchment system was beyond professional. This company is the most honest, hard working, and talented group out there! I would recommend – and have recommended them – time and time again!
Ajna and Roberta Seret, Santa Fe
When we were planning our project, our landscape designer recommended The Raincatcher for our catchment system. We found the guys at The RainCatcher to be very honest, fair, and easy to work with. They did a great job on our tanks, and we ended up asking them to also do our stonework.
Peter Shepard, Santa Fe
We enlisted Reese Baker to design and install a 12,000 gallon water catchment system on our property, which has been working beautifully ever since. It allowed us to plant and irrigate a fruit orchard and water all our landscape, automatically – a completely carefree system. The project was completed on time and within the stated parameters. We consider it money well spent and we’d recommend The RainCatcher to anyone.”
Stryder and Phoenix Simms, Santa Fe

ACHIEVEMENTS

Reclamation Award
Rangeland Hands, RiverBend Engineering and The RainCatcher were proud recipients of the 2017 Excellence in Reclamation Award, presented by the NM Energy Minerals and Natural Resources Dept. Learn more
Santa Fe Botanical
The RainCatcher is proud to be a part of the Santa Fe Botanical Garden's team helping to manage storm water, prevent erosion, and encourage groundwater recharge for the Orchard Gardens. Learn more
RainCatcher, Inc. is proud to be a recipent of a 2014 Sustainable Santa Fe Award
The RainCatcher is honored to be a recipent of a 2014 Sustainable Santa Fe Award for Climate Adaptation — Water, given in recognition of innovators in sustainability practices. Learn more

Contact The RainCatcher of Santa Fe for rainwater catchment, water recycling, wastewater treatment, irrigation systems, and to incorporate xeriscaping, permaculture, water-wise landscaping and erosion control on your property: 505.501.4407

 

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