Garden Tips

By Roxanne N Kim-Perez

What is Xeriscape? It means water wise or water efficient landscaping. It does not mean Zero scape. The word is a combination of the Greek word for dry xeros and the word landscape. The term Xeriscape was developed in 1981 by the Associated Landscape Contractors of Colorado to describe a water efficient landscape program.

The following 7 Steps of Xeriscape (Water-Wise) Design Garden will help you to re-evaluate our use of water, be more practical and water conserving approach to landscape design and maintenance regardless of the garden style.

1. Planning and design. Planning is the most important step to successful water-wise gardening. Due to and lack of proper planning, large amount of water is wasted in our own gardens. Do not mix water loving plants with drought tolerant plants. If you want water-loving plants, choose an area and have separate zoning.

2. Soil analysis. Soil testing is an important tool in plant health management. Tests can indicate nutrient status, pH, salinity, organic content, and texture. Soil testing kits are available at your local nursery, garden store or home improvement store. Improve the soil prior to planting and installation of any irrigation system. Many drought tolerant plants need good drainage and should not be overlooked.

3. Appropriate plant selection. Try to use drought tolerant and native plants. You can find these plants at your local garden stores with the California Friendly Plant logo. Become environmentally aware and make California more beautiful. California native plants are suited to the state's soil and climate because they have evolved here over millions of years. Native plans also can help save water and attract wildlife.

4. Limit turf area. Remember, your lawn uses the most water in your garden, so try to keep turf area down to 20 - 30% of the total landscape. Avoid small useless lawns, water-loving lawns. The rule of thumb is that if you have small children, keep the lawn area. If you don't have small children, just eliminate the lawn area completely. If you still want to have that turf look, it can be replaced with others, less water-demanding materials such as ground covers.

5. Efficient irrigation. A well-planned irrigation system can save water and money. Separate turf areas from other plantings and use an automatic sprinkler system and make sure they cover well and do not waste water. Trees, shrubs, flowers, ground covers can be watered with low-volume drip irrigation or micro-irrigation system. Irrigate early in the day and under low wind conditions.

6. Use of mulches. Mulches cover and cool the soil, minimize evaporation, reduce weed growth and soil erosion. Organic mulches examples are tree bark, chips, wood grindings, lawn clippings, and garden compost. Inorganic mulches are weed barrier cloth, rock and gravel products.

7. Appropriate maintenance. DO NOT over-water, as it can be a big problem. If you hire maintenance services for your garden make sure they understand the needs of drought tolerant plants.

With the lack of rain and environmental changes the future water source is questionable. If every individual makes a little effort and planning on his or her part then a large amount of water can be saved.

Roxanne (Roxy) Kim-Perez is a professional landscape designer providing landscape design service in and around San Diego. Her design firm http://www.forget-me-notlandscapedesign.com is a landscape design company that specializes in modern residential landscape designs with emphasis on energy efficient, low maintenance and comfortable designs for Southern California home owners.
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