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| Photo Credit: Lane Greer |
| This Tucson, AZ, courtyard is functional and attractive. Wood chip mulch conserves moisture, and plants include cactus and native trees. |
Not zero-scaping … Xeriscaping! Too often, when people consider how to decrease water usage in their yards, they think the answer lies in having no plants and all mulch, or “zero-scaping.” But that’s far from the truth.
Xeriscaping is a form of sustainable gardening, where native plants are often (but not exclusively) used. Xeriscape plants are drought-tolerant and suited for the region. Yards have less turf, and water is applied efficiently. The term “Xeriscape” was coined by a Colorado task force during the 1980s. The group examined different water conservation techniques that could be accomplished through creative landscaping. The task force, together with the National Xeriscape Council, developed the “seven principles of Xeriscaping.” - Plan and design the landscape comprehensively. Xeriscapes don’t just happen – they need planning. For instance, let’s say you want an all-native garden, and you make arrangements for lots of native plants to go into your yard. Then you find the closest supplier of these plants is 400 miles away. Thinking through your project and investigating all aspects of your Xeriscape eliminates these morale-breaking problems.
- Evaluate and amend the soil appropriately. Rocky and sandy soils lose water very quickly, but clay soils hold onto water. Compost also aids greatly in water retention, and it supplies welcome nutrients to plants. Examine your soil, and add the right amendments to make it better for your plants.
- Create practical turf areas. Many people have a large front yard – not because they need it but because all their neighbors have it. Unfortunately, lawns require huge amounts of water, and grass steals water from shrubs and trees, which means you have to add even more water to keep plants alive. (Large lawns also contribute to global warming, since 2 percent of all fossil fuels are used in lawn maintenance.) Ask yourself how much lawn you really need. Most people find they can do with half as much. Divide the rest of your yard into beds containing perennials, shrubs and trees.
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| Tips |
- Many people think rocks are a good option to turf, but they’re not. Since rocks store heat during the day and release it at night, a house surrounded by a rocky garden will be warmer than one surrounded by conventional gardens. This means any plants will require more water, and the house will have higher air-conditioning bills.
- If you have some plants that use a lot of water, plant them together so they can be watered simultaneously.
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| Definitions |
- Xeriscaping: Aesthetically pleasing, water-efficient landscaping; from the Greek word “xeros,” meaning dry.
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| Resources |
- For in-depth information, check out Xeriscape Gardening: Water Conservation for the American Landscape by Connie Ellefson, Tom Stephens and Doug Welsh (Macmillan Publishing Co., New York, 1992). The book is divided into two parts: the first focuses on Xeriscaping principles, and the second half is on plants appropriate for all regions of the country.
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