Xeriscaping Your Garden
By Bob Chapman
The word "xeriscaping" (zeer-ee-scaping) is from the Greek word xeros, meaning dry. It is a form of landscaping designed to use less water. Most California gardeners are aware of the threat of global warming, the decrease in water availability from the Sierra Nevada mountains or the Colorado River, the water needs of a burgeoning population, the demand for housing, our naturally low rainfall areas and the very real threat of extended droughts. This awareness is the root of the movement to use xeriscaping as a means to an end: less reliance on water-guzzling landscapes to beautify our yards.
In many minds xeriscaping means "sand and cactus." Nothing could be further from the truth. Xeriscaping involves the grouping of plants requiring little water to grow and bloom and limiting the use of water-hungry lawns. There are hundreds of beautiful and useful flowers, shrubs, vines and trees already sold and used in the home landscape that are excellently suited for use in xeriscaping. You'll be pleasantly surprised!
Few of us can tear out an entire landscaping to install a low water use landscape. Instead, we plan on converting a section (or zone) of the yard at a time, taking a few seasons to achieve the desired low maintenance and drought tolerant landscaping.
When re-reading the introductory paragraph you will realize that when the water shortage is severe, with the real possibility of rationing this precious and scarce commodity, many will be faced with the irreplaceable loss of expensive lawns, shrubs and trees. Thus the wise and prudent gardener will start now while the water and plants are available.
Benefits of converting to xeriscaping.
The major and obvious benefit is using less water, thus lowering the monthly water bill. Among the secondary benefits is the amount of time to maintain landscaping that uses less water, it may mean minutes per week instead of hours. Fewer pesticides are used on lawns, flowers, shrubs and trees, thus a healthier and "earth friendly" environment.
Planning and designing.
Take a critical look at the existing landscaping in your yard. What areas (or zones) can be modified, changed or replaced to accommodate xeriscaping? Using 1/4-inch graph paper, make a "map" of the area(s) under consideration for converting to xeriscaping. Use one square for each foot. Note the locations of existing lawns, and names of shrubs and trees.
Now the fun begins, determining the following: What shrubs and trees will remain? What is the smallest amount of lawn is needed or desired? What plants or low-water use groundcovers will look nice? How many will you need? Where will you buy them? How will they be watered?
There are lots of helps available, including books, plant lists and nursery personnel. For those with limited skills, landscape designers and landscape architects are eager to help.
What books are available
Libraries, bookstores and our stores carry many of the books listed below. If not readily available, all can be ordered online at Amazon.com. All are related to xeriscaping and all are filled with valuable information, colorful pictures or drawings, including suggested plans or ideas to help you.
Low Water-Use Plants for California and the Southwest. Carol Shuler, Landscape Architect. Features lists and pictures of low water-use plants and selection tables that will help you.
All About Dry Climate Gardening. Ortho Books. Contains planning suggestions, lists and pictures of plantings and plants, including groundcovers. Also has illustrations of drip irrigation systems, and how to install them. Maintenance suggestions are also included.
Waterwise Gardening. Sunset Books. Out of print, but available at Amazon.com. One of the first books published about xeriscaping. Shows landscaping ideas, watering systems and lots of lists of plants, shrubs and trees with line drawings and excellent descriptions.
Dry-Land Gardening: A Xeriscaping Guide. Jennifer Bennet. The book's title says it all.
Dry Climate Gardening. Debra Brown Folsom. Another excellent source of help.
Other sources of help for you.
Your County Cooperative Extension Agency, University of California is a good place to start. Many have a Master Gardener program to help you and may have lists of plants and sources. Look in the white pages front sections listing governmental offices under "County" for the address and phone number.
Many water conservation, utility districts and cities publish excellent lists of plants suitable for xeriscaping. Make inquiries and see what they might have to offer.
Converting or installing irrigation systems, including drip irrigation
See the above book listings. "All About Dry Climate Gardening" has excellent plans and diagrams for installing drip systems.
Our stores carry a complete line of Raindrip irrigation supplies. Raindrip offers an indispensable and free design and installation manual. Stop in and pick one up. You'll find the Raindrip "Micro-watering Handbook" in the plumbing department. Our helpful sales associates will be happy to show it to you.
Ortho's "All About Sprinklers and Drip Systems", available in the inside garden department is a very complete, inexpensive and excellent guide to planning and installing irrigation systems.
To sum it all up
Taking steps to convert your gardens and lawns to a low water use landscaping may save lots of grief, money and time when water becomes scarce. You'll smile while others watch lawns and plantings die from a lack of irrigation. There's lots of help out there for your use, so take advantage of it.
In the years to come your landscape will be growing nicely, abounding with beautiful flowers, nice looking shrubs and shade-giving trees.