Xeriscaping: The Benefits and How To
Xeriscape is a common landscaping technique that uses water-efficient plants. Instead of using grasses that require heavy watering, xeriscaping uses mulches and plants that require low watering.
Xeriscaping Your Landscape
Xeriscaping can be used in landscapes, gardens, and lawns. The use of mulch and careful plant selection are key aspects of xeriscaping. The mulch type you decide to use should depend on the style and location of the landscape. For example, wood mulch is used in many temperate, humid areas, while rock mulch is used in dry, arid, and desert-like areas.
Xeriscaping does not mean you will have a barren landscape. In fact, many plants can thrive in a xeriscape landscape. When selecting plants, purchase plants native to your area because they generally require less water. The native plants will differ depending on where you reside. A great tip is to use the "right plant, right place" technique. This means that you will plant in locations that promote growth. For example, if a plant grows best in direct sunlight, then plant it in an area that receives abundant sunlight.
If you wish to cut down on maintenance while still using a sustainable method, xeriscaping is the perfect alternative. Xeriscaping reduces the time spent mowing, and using mulch can help to retain soil moisture and limit weed growth. This will reduce the time spent watering and digging up weeds.
To turn your garden into a lower water-use garden, simply change the grass type. For instance, Buffalo grass, Zoysia grass, and Centipede grass require less water than most grasses. You can also reduce the amount of water and chemicals needed by practicing good garden care techniques, such as trimming. To increase water storage retention, aerate the lawn once a year, and use a compost mix to fill the aerated holes.
Seven Steps to Xeriscaping:
- Planning and Design- Survey the landscape to discover certain areas that can be re-designed to reduce water use. Common areas include driveways, sidewalks or patios.
- Soil analysis- Evaluate the soil by researching the water-holding capacity. Tricks such as adding organic matter, like mulch or compost, to the soil can increase the soil moisture retention.
- Practical turf areas-The sizing of the lawn patches and the grasses used will affect the amount of water required to keep the lawn healthy. Installing smaller patches of lawn that have a higher water capacity can decrease the amount of water used.
- Plant selection- Selecting plants that require less water once they're established will decrease the amount of water used on the lawn.
- Irrigation system- Installing an effective irrigation system is very important. Drip irrigation systems work by providing a slow stream of water to the plant's roots. This type of system uses the least amount of water. Drip irrigation systems are commonly used on flowerbeds. Drip irrigation output can also ensure that areas are getting an appropriate amount of water.
- Using Mulch- Mulch helps irrigation by preventing runoff and absorbs water from the ground.
- Appropriate maintenance-To maintain the quality of a lawn requires a maintenance schedule. However, excess watering and fertilizing can be detrimental. Research how often your type of grass requires maintenance and what that maintenance is.
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