Everyone wants beautiful landscaping, but maintaining those plants can be costly and time consuming for those who live in drought-prone areas. Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping that uses much less water, takes much less maintenance and resists pests and disease. There is definitely an art to xeriscaping, so here are 7 tips to get you started:
- Select low water/drought-resistant plants. They can be from arid and semi-arid regions anywhere in the world, but appropriate native plants can usually be found. The most important thing is to place the right plant in the right spot. Factors to be considered are soil conditions, light exposure, wind and temperature extremes. For example, some plants flourish with limited sun and need sheltered areas, while others may need more shade.
- Plan carefully. If you're experienced with landscape design, you can be extremely successful with a new technique - but don't be shy in enlisting some outside help if you don't completely understand how to proceed. Planning is the key to success because it allows for installation in phases, minimizing expenses.
- Limit your lawn area. Your front yard doesn't necessarily require a lot of turf. Use it only when appropriate, like in children's play areas or pet runs. Separate turf from landscape areas because each requires different watering patterns. Low water ground covers like mulch and paving materials can be placed attractively. Finally, never use turf on slopes because of the wasteful water run-off.
- Irrigate efficiently. To design your yard efficiently, combine plants with similar watering requirements in the same area, and set timers to irrigate each separate zone. Use drip or low volume spray emitters for individual plants, and spray irrigation for lawns. Drip or low volume sprays are the most efficient ways to irrigate because they put the water where it's needed and reduce run-off and evaporation. Timing is important too, try watering in the early morning or later at night, when the sun's rays won't evaporate as much water.
- Use water harvesting techniques. Water harvesting techniques are crucial to water conservation because they channel run-off water to planted areas or save it for future use. Water harvesting may sound difficult, but it's actually fairly easy. Examples are to use sloping sidewalks and terraces, collecting and channeling water from roofs, digging shallow basins around plantings, arranging rock channels to divert rain water and creating berms at the perimeter of the property to trap water.
- Use mulch and soil amendments. Mulches like compost, bark chips and wood shavings help hold in soil moisture, reduce weed growth, improve water penetration and keep soil temperatures cooler during hot months. Soil amendments, organic compounds like peat moss, compost, and animal manure are mixed into the soil to conserve water. Use of soil amendments should be limited to flower, vegetable and ground cover beds. Never use them when planting holes for trees and shrubs.
- Maintain regularly. While xeriscaping requires less maintenance than traditional landscaping, there are specific keys to long-term success. Avoid over-fertilization and heavy pruning because they promote excessive growth, increasing water demands. Keep your lawn mowed to the recommended height to promote deep rooting. Keep your mower blades sharp to prevent jagged tears which lose moisture. Control weeds that compete with plants for water. Finally, water on an as-needed basis, whenever possible.
It's a good idea to fit your outdoor landscaping to your region's water situation, just as it's a good idea to fit your home insurance policy to your home. If you're looking for new coverage or just want to make sure you're getting the right coverage for the best price, let NetQuote help! We can connect you with quality insurance agents who can answer your questions and point you in the right direction.
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