How To Xeriscape

What is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation. It is promoted in regions that do not have easily accessible supplies of fresh water, and is gaining acceptance in other areas as access to water becomes more limited. Xeriscaping may be an alternative to various types of traditional gardening.

How to Xeriscape?

The 7 principles of xeriscaping are established to help guide your landscape  conversion to a water efficient xeriscape.

  1. Design and Planning
    Planning is key to a successful landscape. Design is a process of problem solving.
  2.  Soil Improvement
    Plants must have organic material available in the soil in order to have healthy growth. Incorporating organic material into the soil “feeds” the micro-organisms
    that make nutrients available to plants. Turning the soil incorporates oxygen — an element plant roots must have in order to grow.
  3. Zoning of Plants
    Group plants with similar cultural needs together. Plants with similar needs for light, water, and nutrients should be grouped together in beds. This will
    make irrigation and maintenance easier and more efficient.
  4. Turf Alternatives
    Traditional turf grasses require plenty of water, chemicals and time, and should be reserved for areas where the attributes of turf grass are most needed.
    Save the sturdy bluegrass lawn for high traffic, play areas and use low water and low maintenance turfs or ground covers in alternate areas.
  5. Efficient Irrigation
    When adding supplemental water to our gardens we need to consider soil type and the water needs of the specific plants. Apply water at a rate that allows it to percolate into the root zone of the plants, without letting the water run off or evaporate on the surface of the soil.
  6. Mulches
    Mulches help slow moisture evaporation, moderate soil temperatures, and help keep weed seeds from germinating. Apply mulches 3-4″ deep, keeping away from the
    stem of the plant.
  7. Appropriate Maintenance
    xeriscapingOne important aspect to consider when choosing plants for the landscape and garden is what type of maintenance will be required.  For any landscape, the largest single factor in the effort required to maintain that landscape is the appropriateness of the plants to that specific site. Plants have evolved over millions of years to adapt to their natural environments.

In Conclusion

The cost for upkeep will be tied to how well a plant adapts to a site. The farther a plant is brought out of it’s original natural environment, the more effort (and expense) will be required to maintain that plant.

Xeriscaping your landscape sounds like a great idea!  Call JCs Landscaping or click here for free quote.


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