Sustainable Planting for Cemeteries: Less Water, Less Work
02/02/2020 - 00:00
Across the world, cemeteries are more than places of remembrance - they are peaceful, living spaces where nature and memory meet. As climate patterns shift and maintenance resources tighten, cemetery managers are increasingly seeking planting solutions that respect both the environment and the dignity of the setting.
One of the most effective solutions starts below the surface - in the soil itself.
The new reality: drier seasons, tighter budgets - same high expectations
Whether in Europe, Australia, or elsewhere, many cemeteries now face similar challenges: hotter summers, water restrictions, and smaller maintenance teams. Even the best plant selections can struggle in soils that dry out quickly or lose nutrients fast. Regular watering is not only costly but often impractical - especially for large or remote cemetery landscapes.
That’s where TerraCottem universal provides a powerful, research-backed solution — proven effective across a wide range of climates and soil types.
TerraCottem: a smart soil amendment for sustainable cemetery landscapes
TerraCottem is a soil conditioning technology designed to:
- Strengthen root development
- Boost soil’s water retention
- Improve plants’ nutrient uptake
When incorporated into planting areas, TerraCottem helps you maximise every drop of water and gram of fertiliser — reducing leaching, lowering inputs, and encouraging healthier, more resilient plants.
Application:
- Single use at planting, providing benefits that last up to 8 years.
- For beds and grass: 100g/m²
- For shrubs and trees: 1.5g/l of soil
Key benefits for cemetery landscapes
By using TerraCottem, you can expect several important benefits, including:
- Improved plant establishment and survival rate
- Reduced maintenance and replanting
- Up to 50% less water needed
- Increased drought resilience
- Long-lasting results from a single application
Laboratory studies with drought-tolerant species like Pinus halepensis further validate
TerraCottem’s ability to retain moisture and promote plant health, even under extreme stress.
These advantages are especially valuable for large cemeteries, rural locations with limited irrigation, and heritage sites that require subtle, long-term planting solutions.
Chosen by professionals for sustainable cemetery landscapes
In Finland, TerraCottem universal has been successfully supporting a growing number of cemetery projects focused on long-term resilience and low-maintenance planting:
- Hietaniemi Cemetery, Helsinki
At this nationally significant site, TerraCottem was applied to enhance the durability and sustainability of planting beds — helping reduce future maintenance needs.
- Turku Cemetery, Vasaramäki
In this southeastern location, TerraCottem improved plant vitality and reduced irrigation needs in drying-prone soils - even in early results.
Elsewhere in Europe, the technology has also been applied with success in places like Nazareth, Belgium, where sandy soils previously made long-term planting difficult. Results showed stronger plant establishment and decreased water demands - benefits now echoed in many similar projects.
13 months after planting
| Discover the full Nazareth case study here. |
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Meulewal Cemetery, Eine, Belgium:
The City of Oudenaarde who manages the Meulewal Cemetery introduced new wildflower meadows to enhance biodiversity. TerraCottem was applied prior to seeding to enhance seed germination and sustainable plant growth. The result is a colourful, resilient landscape that attracts pollinators and beneficial insects - while increasing the meadow’s resistance to high temperatures.
Three months after seeding.
Respect the setting. Simplify the work.
Cemetery landscapes deserve to be beautiful, dignified, and enduring - without placing unsustainable demands on caretakers or resources. TerraCottem helps make this possible, not by working harder, but by working smarter. Whether laying new grass, establishing perennials, or designing water-wise planting schemes, TerraCottem supports your goals silently, beneath the surface.
Future-proof your cemetery plantings today
Contact us to explore how TerraCottem can help you reduce water use, lower maintenance costs, and create lasting, sustainable landscapes.
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