Posts Tagged xeriscape
Fertilizer & Xeriscape: Tips To Help Your Landscape Thrive
One of the bonuses of a water-saving (xeriscape) landscape is that it needs less fertilizer than its water-thirsty counterparts. However, soil health is essential to the healthy lifecycle of your garden’s flower plants, shrubs, and trees. When soil becomes depleted, plants begin to starve, so regular fertilizer applications prevent soil depletion altogether.
A depleted plant has a higher risk of succumbing to disease and is less able to combat common pests. By using suitable fertilizer, at the correct times, home and business owners ensure their living landscapes have what they need to thrive.
Xeriscape Fertilizing: Information & Tips
The more you learn about soil, plant needs, and the ins and outs of fertilizers, the better equipped you are to nourish your landscape as needed.
1. Fertilizing needs depend on soil quality
Plants, shrubs, and trees depend on about 16 mineral elements for their “nutrition.” They get most of the oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and hydrogen they need from the air and water. However, plants depend on soil to deliver the rest. The most necessary of these elements are:
- Nitrogen
- Phosphorus (P)
- Potassium (K)
If you worked with a xeriscape landscape designer, you might remember they focused on soil analysis. Part of this analysis was to learn more about the mineral element balance in the existing soil. From these results, they used amendments to create a richer soil biome. Over time, plants consume essential minerals leaving soil depleted without additional fertilizer boosts.
If it’s been a while since your soil was tested, or you aren’t sure where to start, it’s worth having your soil tested in different landscape areas. First, mark them well, so you know where they came from, and then have them tested at a local nursery or through a landscape professional that offers soil testing. This is the best way to learn precisely what your soil needs, after which you can select customized fertilizer treatments and amendments.
2. Select eco-friendly fertilizers
Xeriscapes inherently support their environments. They’re designed to honor the water available on-site and from the average area rainfall, with minimal input through irrigation. And because we use native plant species, waterwise landscaping is also designed to attract pollinators and other wildlife, creating an eco-friendly habitat. Therefore, the fertilizers you select can make or break the entire plan.
Always select organic or eco-friendly fertilizers that use minimal to no chemicals or synthetic ingredients. This minimizes the risk of nutrient runoff into rivers, lakes, and streams or toxic poisoning of crucial insects, pollinators, and soil microbes.
3. Understanding the numbers
Remember we said the three essential mineral elements for plants and trees are nitrogen, phosphorous, and potassium? When you purchase fertilizer for your landscape, the container will have numbers representing each product’s ratio of Nitrogen: Phosphorous: Potassium. Some of these ratios are set for “general” fertilizer, while others are specific to flowering and fruiting plants, leafing plants, particular types of grass, etc.
You’ll also notice that some of the most commercially-known fertilizers have very high ratios (like 11:7:7 or 15:9:12). In contrast, organic or eco-friendly fertilizers have lower numbers (more like 6:3:2 or 3:2:3). That’s because most commercial fertilizers are artificially loaded with powerful chemicals to achieve immediate results. Organic/eco-friendly brands use animal and plant residues.
The less powerful, but better for the environment, alternatives are fine for a well-maintained xeriscape. With Xeriscape, less is more in every way. That includes less water and less need for fertilizers. The continuity of proper, organic fertilizer application yields consistent, long-term results with virtually zero harmful effects on beneficial organisms.
4. Fertilizer timing is important
In almost all cases, we recommend fertilizing plants, trees, and shrubs twice yearly: once in fall and once in spring. This achieves a balance where wintering roots have access to nutrients as they gear up for their re-emergence in spring. Then, once dormant winter plants come back to life, a spring dose of fertilizer gives them the extra nutrients they need to produce lush foliage and flowers through the summer.
Bring your plant list or xeriscape design map to a local nursery, and they’ll help you select specific fertilizers as necessary. However, you can also purchase a general, all-purpose organic fertilizer and apply it as directed if you prefer to keep things simple. If you contract with a local landscape maintenance company, speak to them about fertilizing. If they automatically fertilize as part of their services, you don’t want to apply extra as more is not better, and you can harm plants if they’re over-fertilized.
5. Don’t forget the power of mulch as fertilizer
In a Science Direct post about fertilizer, researchers state, “Organic fertilizers contain plant- or animal-based materials that are either a byproduct or end product of naturally occurring processes, such as animal manure and composted organic materials.” That is a good reminder that while commercial fertilizers are purchased from a nursery, fertilizer is always made when organic matter decomposes.
That includes organic mulch that decomposes and acts as fertilizer for your plants in addition to minimizing moisture loss and weed growth. Decomposing mulch materials like shredded hardwood bark, straw, coarse compost, or shredded native tree cuttings are fantastic year-round landscape enhancements. They both protect and nourish the landscape while also benefitting solid microbes. Applying and maintaining healthy layers of mulch further minimize fertilizer needs.
Connect With Xeriscape Maintenance Pros & Learn About Fertilizer
Not exactly sure what to use or how to fertilize your xeriscape? Contact us, and we’ll schedule a visit. We love educating clients on the best xeriscape maintenance practices and can help you select and apply fertilizers to help your landscape thrive.
The Principles of Xeriscaping on Your Property
Living in a hot and dry area or one that does not have much rainfall does not mean that you cannot have the exceptional landscapes typical in places with a lot of rain. Furthermore, you need not waste the average 90 gallons of water watering the plants for a thriving lawn or landscape. There is one option for having a flourishing lawn in an eco-friendly manner, even in dry regions. The solution lies in xeriscaping.
Xeriscaping denotes a landscaping design method based on water conservation. Though often meant for property owners in semi-arid and arid places, the design can also be used in areas with a lot of rain to conserve water. The concept in xeriscaping is conserving water through the correct landscaping principles.
Below are the guiding principles of xeriscaping.
Limited Turf Area and Use a Suitable Grass Variety
Grass is beneficial in landscaping because it controls erosion and water infiltration into the soil. However, a large turf section is one of the biggest causes of wasted water for landscaping. You should try to have grass only in the sections where kids and pets will need it or, in commercial spaces, only in regions that can accommodate many people.
It is best to limit the grass in your landscape to the flat and shaded areas of your property. This minimizes the risk of runoff and evaporation. You should also pick the grass varieties that have deeper roots, since they retain moisture better than those with shallow roots. Some of the best varieties for xeriscaping include Blue Grama, California Oatgrass, Blue Fescue, Bermuda, Buffalo, and St. Augustine.
Improved Soils
Consider using organic soil enhancements like manure, wood chips, peat moss, or grass clippings to improve your landscaping soil. These will support the growth of plants with broad root systems, allow natural aeration, and increase the soil’s water retention capacity.
There are also commercial inorganic soil amendments, but these are more expensive than their organic counterparts. However, they will still benefit your lawn if you, for whichever reason, cannot get organic enhancements. Before any soil improvements, the soil is tested to know its elements that need increasing and the best options for it.
Addition of a Water-retaining Mulch
Mulch will form a protective layer between the air and your plants’ roots, thus encouraging water retention. The best options for this are pine needles and shredded hardwood. Water retention not only improves plant health but will also minimize the evaporation rate and thus reduce the frequency of watering plants. In hot, dry climatic regions, steer clear of rocks and mulch types that radiate or retain heat. These only burn your plants.
Inclusion of a Rain Garden in Runoff Sections
Rain gardens are ideal options for cleaning and capturing groundwater in the low-lying sections of your property. Though dry in most instances, they will hold a generous amount of water after it rains. You can include perennials, flowers, and native shrubs around the rain garden to create a beautiful landscape bed. You can also settle for cisterns, porous paving, and rain barrels to capture runoff that can be recycled to water your landscape.
The Use of Drought-resistant and Native Plants
Drought-resistant and native plant species will often consume less water than exotic species. You can find a broad range of drought-resistant landscaping plants at your local nursery to match your envisioned design. To ensure you get the suitable plant varieties, research the distribution and amount of rainfall in your area beforehand.
Pick plants based on their expected sizes when mature rather than the size in which you buy them. Moreover, pick a few trees to maximize the shade in your landscape for the plants. This shade reduces evaporation, and the trees will act as windbreakers that protect your fragile plants.
An Effective Irrigation Method
Soaker hoses or drip irrigation is the ideal irrigation option in xeriscaping. This comprises a network of pipes with tiny holes that deliver water to the plants’ roots to minimize evaporation and water wastage. Overhead irrigation or using a watering cane leads to less water delivered to your plant roots and wastes a lot of water.
Furthermore, consider watering your plants in the morning because the water will evaporate slowly in cool conditions at this time. Watering plants in the morning also allows them to dry as the day progresses. This reduces the risk of your plants contracting fungal diseases that usually affect humid or constantly wet plants.
If you want to start conserving water in your landscaping design, do not assume that this is as easy as sticking to the xeriscaping principles above. There are different elements like making the right choice of mulch in relation to your soil, climate, and plants. To save time and guarantee the best results, hire skilled landscapers from DKlandscaping to handle your xeriscaping.
Xeriscaping in Santa Rosa
Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that involves the judicious use of water and plants that adapt to changes in climate. This kind of landscaping needs meticulous monitoring because the weather may not be favorable for most plants. Xeriscaping is almost incomplete without exploring the best plants that can withstand harsh weather and little water supply.
There are seven ideologies of xeriscaping that gardeners and lawn experts have to key into before working on the project.
1) The planning and design which includes mapping out how the lawn will look.
2) Ideally designed irrigation system
3) Mulching
4) Preparation of the soil
5) Substitute for Turfs
6) The exploitation of water-saving foliage
7) Ideal garden maintenance
In Santa Rosa, landscaping companies have explored and discovered that several indigenous plants can be suitable for xeriscaping. Indigenous plants make the garden more appealing to the eyes and also creates a natural home for insects, birds, and other magnificent creatures. Santa Rosa water agency supplies water to the locals from a well-filtered river flowing from Russia. However, the supply capacity may not be adequate as the water agency delivers to over 53 thousand residents. Last year, state law enforced a constraint on the usage of water for commercial and household purposes. These encumbrances prompted the grave need for water conservation.
Xeriscaping is an ideal way of boycotting the search for water before lawn beautification. Some xeriscape-friendly plants naturally save water in their stems. A suitable sample is cactus plants. This plant can endure adverse weather for many years without water because it opens its stomata at night, unlike other plants. It utilizes the stomata to ingest carbon dioxide into its system in a bid to generate food the next day. It is known as transpiration. Cacti have spines on their body; hence, xeriscapers may have a second thought about whether to plant it or not. However, there are analogous families of plants in Santa Rosa that habituate to dry conditions such as Deer grass, Coast Rosemary, Bear’s Breech, Wisteria, etc.
Another benefit of this gardening culture is that you do not need to waste your hard-earned money on pest control systems or tools. You can also disregard the need for fertilizers because drought-resistant plants do not need it.
You will have to pay between $0.6 to $3 per square foot before you can give an exquisite touch to your garden. It solely depends on your projection and the technicality of the setup.
Villa and condo owners can reach out to us for more information on how to add value to properties by xeriscaping. We will work to ensure all needs are met and that projects are completed successfully.
A Xeriscape Guide to Cold-Winter Gardening
Xeric plants thrive on any climate and can flourish on extreme temperatures, extra water, dry conditions, low light, or lots of light. Xeriscaping is one of the best ways of planning an economically and ecologically sound garden. Xeriscape winter gardening can be rock-filled, lush, and can also feature different types of fauna.
The Winter Gardening Challenges
Winter temperatures can cause stress to plants. During winter, there are less angled rays and diminished sun exposure. Rainfall is also limited, meaning that regular irrigation may be needed. The soil type, wind exposure, and the slope must be considered before selecting winter gardening plants. Winter is open to elements such as extreme cold and dryness.
The temperatures may also get to the freezing level. Tender plants need to be located to sheltered locations to keep them from the winds and dryness. Be careful to watch out on slopes. These are of particular concern given that they face moisture runs and winds, which could then create dry conditions. The arrival of winter does not mean that your xeriscape garden cannot thrive.
Go Native
Native plants are adapted to the local weather conditions and soil. They do not require much water and can survive in harsh conditions. These plants support bees, birds, and other wildlife by offering shelter and food. Native flora also protects your yard from wildfires.
Hydrozone
Select water-wise plants during winter, and group them wisely. The same way you would cater to beds based on the plants’ particular needs for sunlight should be the same logic used for water usage.
Plants that need lots of water need to be grouped together. The same applies to native perennials. When selecting your plants, look for those that can keep moisture trapped inside for longer. These are plants with thick leaves and fine hairs.
Maintain Proper Drainage
Xeric plants thrive most in rocky environments, meaning they don’t tolerate too much rain. These plants should be planted in soils with organic matter and little clay. They should also be planted on raised mounds for better water drainage. Instead of raking leaves, use them to mulch the ground. This is an organic layer that encourages nutrients to penetrate the ground leading to a lusher yard.
Xeriscaping is an excellent winter gardening that eliminates the need for supplemental water. It varies from natural landscaping due to the emphasis on the selection of plants that conserve water. For all your xeriscape landscape maintenance needs, call us today or contact us online.
Strategies for Getting Your Lawn Ready for Cooler Weather Ahead
Although the month of August is in what people call the dog days of summer, you have to realize that the first frost is right around the corner. The season’s first frost might well come at the end of August or early September.
When the first frost of the season hits, most of your annual plants will wilt and perennials will be sent into their dormant phase for the hardier winter months ahead.
While these effects can’t be avoided, there are a lot of steps that you can take to fortify your lawn for winter.
Keep Up Irrigation
Your lawn has a kind of wisdom all its own. In the fall, the grass will stop putting so much energy into growing new blades and put those resources into creating a resilient root system to survive the coolet months ahead.
The thing to realize is that you have the chance to significantly strengthen your grass’s root system by watering your lawn right now. Xeriscape is a landscaping and irrigation company that can give your yard the nourishment that it needs.
Your lawn will naturally grow less bounteously in the late summer and early fall. That said, your lawn will still benefit from giving it the three main ingredients that it needs to grow – nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous. Xeriscape can help here as well.
Repair and Weed
There’s an expression that when you fail to prepare you actually prepare to fail. That might sound harsh but what’s undoubtedly true is that homeowners who have an eye towards the future usually have the best yards.
Think of late summer and early fall as your opportunity to create a lush landscape for spring next year. Xeriscape can help you fill in bald patches, or you could look into a grass repair kit that includes seed, fertilizer, and mulch.
After you’ve done the real heavy lifting by repairing bald spots, you might want to look into uprooting weeds so that everything can grow to its full potential.
The thing to bear in mind is that weeds can fortify themselves and regrow with renewed vigor in early spring next year if they’re not dealt with soon.
Rake Up Leaves
A lot of people are loathe to rake up their leaves because they have such a beautiful appearance in your yard.
That’s true – a defoliating maple tree, for instance, can be breathtaking….and, at the same time, be ruining your yard and actually jeopardizing your health!
Lawns have to breathe in the sense that leaves that are allowed to linger on your lawn will prevent sunlight and air from getting to your lawn, which will cause your grass to be less healthy than it otherwise would be had you raked right away.
Leaves also decompose very slowly so that, if you don’t rake leaves in the fall, you’ll have a layer of basically intact leaves over your yard all winter. Snow mold and brown patch are both serious possibilities if leaves are allowed to linger all winter.
Fungal infections and health problems could also crop up if you don’t rake away leaves. Xeriscape can help with all kinds of landscaping, including getting leaves off the property. Leaves that get matted now could prevent fresh grass from growing in the spring.
Use Leaves to Compost
All of those leaves that you’ll eventually rake up can be put towards composting in the spring. You might want to consider putting fallen leaves in a compost bin and allowing decomposition throughout the winter. Turn the compost over regularly to have consistent temperatures, or simply rely on Xeriscape for your lawn care needs! Contact us for more information.
Learn How To Create The Perfect Xeriscape
When people say xeriscape they are referring to the practice of designing landscapes using slow-growing, drought-tolerant plants that aim to promote water conservation and reduce the need for regular maintenance.
Although recent drought conditions have created an urgency to adjust to different landscape practices like xeriscaping, many people still opt for xeriscape designs because they look amazing when finally complete.
Having said that, it’s important to remember that designing a xeriscape is not just throwing certain plants into some dirt and expecting them to look spectacular, it’s a process.
So, to help people to get a better grasp of things, we’d like to share some fundamental aspects on the best way to create the perfect xeriscape!
Accurate Designing Will Determine the Final Look
Now, to be as straightforward as possible, it’s important that people know that having plant material in the right place, is one of the most important aspects of xeriscaping.
Whether it be that you’re giving a facelift to an old landscape or designing a new one altogether, a proper design is vital – especially if you intend to conserve resources and achieve an amazing result.
Tips That Help With Xeriscape Design
- Assess the area for the presence of vegetation as this is an indication of whether plant material will grow well in that particular area.
- Arrange your xeriscape into of three different zones; a high water-use zone, a moderate water-use zone, and a low water-use zone. The high water-use zone should be very small, highly visible and watered as needed.The moderate water-use zone is usually a bit larger than the high water-use zone and is only watered when required. Now, the low water-use zone should be at least 60% of the area and only include plant types that are initially watered.
Using these straightforward tips you will be well on your way to creating a xeriscape design that’s efficient, practical, and easily maintained.
Soil Management And Soil Quality Is Important
Managing soil may probably be the part of xeriscaping that gardeners enjoy the least as it can involve a bit of hard work on their part but despite this, working with good, quality, soil while designing your xeriscape, is extremely important.
By knowing your soil’s strengths and weaknesses, you’ll know exactly what kind of amendments may be needed for healthy growth.
Nevertheless, always make sure to slope garden beds away from any buildings and plant drought-tolerant plants at the higher part of the slope.
Choosing The Right Plants
The best way to choose plants for your xeriscape would be to opt for more native plant species that may find it easier to adapt to your local environment.
It may be also smart to choose plants that have a slower growth rate that will mature with the rest of your landscape, add texture, and complement the surrounding area.
Here are a few plant choices you can use to make your xeriscape beautiful, functional and low maintenance:
- Southern Indian Azalea,
- Climbing Fig
- Creeping Juniper
- Sweet Alyssum
- Camellia
- Creeping Gardenia
- Jasmine
- Cleyera
- Indian Hawthorne
Why not let the professionals help you get started with creating the perfect xeriscape. Here at DK Landscaping, you can get the best xeriscaping services in California – Our professional team can come in and take care of all the hard work for you and all you have to do is sit back and watch you xeriscape mature and bloom.
Give us a call at (707) 280-3632 and our professional team will drop by to start the planning and preparation process. To learn more about our xeriscaping services you can also visit our website at dklandscaping.com.
Winter Services for Property and Landscape Maintenance
The cold temperatures and dry air can prove to be quite the burden on your lawn and landscaping. Property owners can preserve the integrity of their lawn and landscaping by reaching out to our lawn and landscape maintenance professionals for expert treatment. Ally with DK Landscaping and we will make sure your property maintains its beauty throughout the winter, spring, summer and fall.
Winter Lawns and Landscaping Maintenance
Your front and back lawns are not a lost cause during the winter months. Though the frigid temperatures will take a toll on all forms of life, it is certainly possible to maintain a lovely lawn, shrubs, flowers, trees and other greenery during the coldest portion of the year.
DK Landscaping knows exactly how to treat lawns during the winter. We make use of a unique winter fertilizer that keeps lawns looking fantastic even when the temperatures dip down toward the freezing mark. Our special fertilizer enhances grass so it does not require an abundance of water. It also stimulate robust root development that ultimately preserves the integrity of your grass across the years to come. This fertilizer even bolsters your lawn’s ability to combat disease and withstand heavy foot traffic.
Ally with DK Landscaping for winter lawn and landscaping maintenance and you will notice a considerable difference in your property’s beauty. We know exactly which trees, shrubs and flowers should be pruned during the winter months. Furthermore, our team understands the extent to which each type of shrub and flower should be pruned.
As an example, we prune certain roses back by upwards of 80 percent during the winter months. Certain types of grass such as ornamental grasses require 90 percent pruning during the coldest months of the year. This is the type of attention to detail that separates your lawn’s health and beauty from the pack. Put your faith in DK Landscaping to sweat the small stuff and you will enjoy the benefits in the form of glorious lawn and landscaping that holds its beauty far into the future.
Water Preservation
The winter months can be brutally dry. You might be tempted to water your grass, trees, flowers and shrubs quite frequently during this time of the year. Yet you don’t want to run up an expensive water bill or spend your limited free time outdoors in the bone chilling cold with a hose in your hands! Your best course of action is to turn to the irrigation experts at DK Landscaping.
We know all the best methods to disperse water in a highly efficient manner. We also perform water saving landscape design known as “xeriscape“. Homeowners and commercial property owners can both benefit from the efficient distribution of water across lawn and landscaping. Our goal is to conserve water, save you plenty of money and keep your lawn in tip-top shape.
In addition to water saving landscape design techniques, we also make use of native plants acclimated to the dry air, runoff prevention methods, drip irrigation, MP rotators and smart evapotranspiration timers. The end result is a stunning lawn and landscaping that requires substantially less water than previously needed.
Ask any of our current or former customers about our water conservation design methods and equipment and they will testify to the legitimacy of these strategies.
Let our landscape maintenance experts take a look at your property and we’ll start brainstorming ways to boost its aesthetic. Whether you are looking for a beautifully green lawn or elegant landscaping, DK Landscaping can make it happen. Reach out to us to schedule an initial consultation.
Layouts and Landscaping Small Backyards
They may be diminutive in size, but small backyards can be designed and landscaped in much the same way as their larger counterparts. From a quaint cottage-style yard to a modern, minimalist look, landscaping small backyards works best when you remember to design in square inches, not feet. In addition to this also use imaginative techniques such as creating multiple focal points, and use a varied selection of plants and shrubs. While backyards with limited space present a challenge, there’s nothing to prevent you from creating a cozy and charming retreat that can also work for family entertaining. To design a truly outstanding small backyard, follow these basic design and layout principles.
Inches, Not Feet
While most landscaping is planned out by the square foot, backyards with small footprints should be designed utilizing square inches, because fitting the amenities and plants you want in a tiny space requires a very precise layout. A mere two inches can make or break your opportunity to expand a raised planter wall to seat wall width; and just a six-inch difference here or there will determine whether you can have features such as ponds, fountains or fire pits.
Use Multiple Focal Points
Probably the biggest design challenge with small backyards is the lack of space to create that one standout focal point you often find in larger backyards. The solution, then, is to create many smaller, surprising focal points throughout your yard. Stone, ceramic, glass or metal accent pieces -new or vintage – can be arranged in such a way that they create an element of delight when discovered. For a distinct look, stay away from mass-produced items and make your small backyard uniquely yours by searching for one-of-a-kind pieces of garden art. For maximum effect, place your garden art amidst your plants, so they look as though they’ve always been there.
Don’t Stop at Green
Place bold and bright plants and flowers at the front of your small landscape so that they are the first thing to catch the eye upon entering the yard. They’ll also make the rest of the backyard recede, resulting in a larger feel to the space. Use plants with lots of texture, and try putting in a few large-leaf plants – they work wonders at changing the scale of small backyards.
Create Small Discrete Zones
As counterintuitive as it may sound, dividing a small space can actually make it seem larger. Try a tall hedge, fence, wall, or shrub to create a partition. Place furniture groupings and paths so that several small attractive and restful “rooms” are created.
Xeriscape Ideas for Small Backyards
Xeriscaping is one of the most popular landscaping options today, particularly in California, as it requires a minimal amount of water. In addition to reducing the need for supplemental irrigation, drought-tolerant landscaping can also be visually more interesting than other landscape options, and it will save you money. Xeriscape landscapes require very little turf, include plants that can withstand harsh elements and embrace designs that make small backyard landscapes really stand out:
- Use stepping stones and gravel to create a path and then fill in the side areas with native grasses.
- If you have stairs up to a deck or patio, fill them with gravel and native plants to add an unexpected touch.
- Choose low maintenance greenery that will thrive in your zone and don’t forget to opt for some colorful choices – the results can be stunning.
Bringing big design to small backyards is a great way to create a space for family and friends to dine and play. So contact us for consultation. Don’t be surprised if it becomes everyone’s favorite place to gather!
Xeriscape Landscaping Ideas for Easy Gardening
Xeriscape is a type of gardening that focuses on conserving water. You typically won’t see any lush green lawns; instead, xeriscape yards and gardens are full of local and drought-resistant plants, and typically involve creative uses of windbreaks and drip irrigation. They’re gaining popularity not just for their eco-friendliness, but because they’re very easy to maintain.
This school of gardening breaks a lot of the rules that many landscapers follow. It can be tricky to know where to get started, but here are a few ideas.
Research Xeriscape and Use Local Plants
We can’t advise you about what plants you should be using, because it’s particular to your region and your aesthetic tastes. Ideally, you want to rely as much as possible on rainfall, and the best way to do that is to use drought-resistant plants that are adapted to your area. Exotics are typically harder to maintain, and invasives often suck up water. An added benefit to choosing local plants is that local wildlife will seek your xeriscape garden out!
So head to your local library, check online, or go through a local greenhouse and ask questions of the staff there. Landscaping 101 applies here: be sure you’re choosing plants that will thrive in your soil’s pH, and with the different amount of sunshine your xeriscape gets. Remember to choose a variety of colors, and try to choose plants that will bloom over the course of the year rather than all at once.
Compost Before You Plant
After your plants are in the ground, it can be tricky to compost your xeriscape. Instead, add the compost while you’re prepping the soil for your plants. This doesn’t just make the soil richer — it also helps it retain moisture.
Permeable Paving
Asphalt, tile, or other paving surfaces catch water and cause it to puddle and eventually evaporate, where it’s lost. This “hardscaping” can also become very hot in the sun, which affects moisture absorbtion and can make your plants wilt. Using gravel, sand, or a comparable paving material on your paths lets water seep down into the soil to water your xeriscape plants.
Grade on a Curve!
Try adding a slight grade, or even terracing, to your xeriscape garden. Remember, it doesn’t help if the water puddles, or runs out to the street. You want the water to flow gently downhill, so that it trickles over the surface of the soil and is absorbed.
Use Mulch
Mulch heavily around your plants! Three to four inches is enough to keep the soil’s moisture in, and as the mulch’s bottom layers degrade they fertilize the soil. While gravel is another xeriscape option and it works great, some people find that it makes their gardens look drier and more like a desert, compared to how mulch looks.
Rainwater Harvesting and Clever Irrigation
Even with clever xeriscape techniques, you will still need to water your garden. This is particularly important for plants that are young or just getting settled, because they’re still building their root systems. Collect water to irrigate by hooking a rainwater barrel up to your gutter. Make sure you water during the cooler evening hours, and try using a soaker hose or an automated drip irrigation system. These saturate the soil, so as little as possible is lost.
Go Native, Save Water: Xeriscape Gardening
The information age has brought with it a flood a varying techniques in the fields of landscaping, gardening and ecological design. In keeping with the sustainable nature of the best of them, xeriscape gardening is defined by its optimal use of a minimal amount of water. This approach to gardening has been developed in the arid regions in the world, chiefly in the American mid-west, as a natural response to the climate. Xeriscape is most effective when the need for supplemental irrigation is eliminated and the design of the garden promotes symbiotic relationships that provide benefits. Environmental conservancy is xeriscape gardening’s top priority, but aesthetic design has received as much consideration. At its best, xeriscape becomes a melding of both utility and beauty.
The Principles of Xeriscape
As conceived by Denver Water, xeriscape gardening’s most revered proponent, these seven guiding principles provide the foundation for all considerations within the field. Each principle holds an entire discipline within itself, which means that there is always more to learn and improve upon in this field.
- Planning and Design are the cornerstones of effective gardening, which requires careful attention to your specific environment.
- Soil Management is about knowing what nutrients your selected plants need and what nutrients are available in the soil. Composting is a great way to reinvigorate malnourished soil.
- Plant Selection is an integral part of xeriscape gardening. Thousands of species exist in arid conditions, each with benefits and beauty to offer.
- Turf Minimalism is crucial because the water needs of most grass lawns makes them impractical for dry climates.
- Diligent Irrigation may be the reason you’re interested in xeriscape gardening to begin with. Water is an invaluable resource and appropriate use of it is essential to environmental conservancy.
- Mulch can be composed of several materials such as leaves, wood chips, pine needles and bark. It is spread over the surface of the soil to help with water retention, fertility, prevention of erosion, and reduction of weed growth.
- Maintenance in the form of weed pulling, mulching, and general upkeep should be combined with constant observation to check if your garden layout is working to its full potential.
The Benefits of Xeriscape
- Reduced Water Consumption is both the key aspect of xeriscape gardening and a great benefit of it. It means using less water and making better use of it. Not only will this save you money, but you will be helping your community and environment as well. Re-appropriating rainwater can help you prevent evaporation and runoff, and your garden’s layout can be optimized for better use of it.
- Less Maintenance is required from a xeriscape garden. Much less fertilizer is used, which helps urban runoff pollution, lawn mowing becomes nigh unnecessary, and simple irrigation systems can handle all of your watering needs.
- Pest Control is an added benefit of a really well thought out garden layout. Certain xeriscape friendly plants ward off insects, while prickly cacti do the same for intrusive mammals. Plant selection also enables you to create a sanctuary for desirable birds and insects.
- Property Values Rise when you drought-proof the terrain around your home. Likewise, the design opportunities available to xeriscape can make for some exquisite gardens.
There are an abundance of tips and tricks available for do-it-yourself xeriscape gardening, but expert consideration reaps the true benefits of the art form. Xeriscape specialists develop an uncanny ability to read an environment and discern its possibilities. With a little help, and dedication to the sustainability principles of xeriscape you could be looking at a lower water and power bill, a productive and efficient garden, and a beautiful area in which to relax.
