Derived from the Greek wordxeros,meaning “dry,” the term means literally “dry landscape.”
In addition, xeriscaping techniques are often planned with the same landscape designaestheticsas any other key in of garden.
Here are essential tips and advice to get started with xeriscape landscaping.
The Spruce / Evgeniya Vlasova
Why Is Xeriscaping Important?
You will also have healthier gardens and landscapes and less need to use fertilizers and pesticides.
We hear a lot about pollution from industry and factories.
These are considered point sources.
Homeowners and individuals are considered nonpoint sources of pollution.
Instead of considering aesthetics first, take a look at your gardens topography, exposure, and soil.
Dont make a run at fight your site.
Create planting zones and group your plants by their needs.
you could practice xeriscaping with a wide variety of attractive plants that are drought-tolerant and naturally conserve water.
Deploynative plantsin a xeriscape garden since they are adapted to the local climate and consequently require less human-supplied water.
The choice of plants will vary byregion, even within a single town or street.
Areas of lawn are typically transformed into flower beds, hardscapes, or rock gardens.
That’s because it takes a lot of water, fertilizer, and fuel tokeep your lawn green.
Consider reducing or eliminating turf grass in your initial design plan.
Consideroptions other than grass, such asdrought-tolerant ground coversthat are less labor and water-intensive.
Organizing Plants With Similar Needs
Group plants with similar water requirements together.
Base your watering schedule on the needs of the plants and not on an arbitrary schedule.
All plants will require more supplemental watering for the first year or two that they are becoming established.
However after they have acclimated and developed a good root system, supplemental watering should become much less frequent.
Improving the Soil
Well-draining soil is key to successful xeriscape landscaping.
Poor dry soil lacksorganic matter, which means it can’t absorb or drain water well.
Drought-tolerant plants do not do well in soggy soil.
Mulching to Hold Moisture
Mulch is a great tool in a water-wise garden.
It also gradually decomposes and feeds the soil.
Best Plants for Xeriscapes
Plants most suited toxeriscape landscapingare sometimes referred to as “xeric” plants.
These areplants with low water requirementsthat handle drought well.
Of course, drought tolerance is relative.
A plant considered drought-tolerant in the northeastern United States might be baked to a crisp in desert country.
However, there is a loose concept called zeroscape that differs from xeriscape.
Zeroscape typically means a yard is filled withhardscaping, rocks, gravel, and dirt instead of plantings.
There’s a lot of labor required to install a xeriscape.
