The Water-Wise Garden: Art of Xeriscaping
(Page 2 of 3)
March/April 2008
By Deena Wade
3. Avoid planting grass. If you must, determine the best location and the most appropriate type. Because grass needs a lot of water to get established, lawns should be small and limited to flat areas. Investigate low-water lawn covers such as native and ornamental grasses that are appropriate for your environment.
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4. Choose and group plants carefully. Your local nursery, cooperative extension or water-conservation agency can assist you. Older, larger plants can fill out your garden sooner, but usually they haven’t been cultivated to develop a deep root system and require more water. Remember, mixing high-water with low-water plants defeats the benefit of groupings that require less water overall. Also, consider planting trees and shrubs to provide extra shade to your most exposed areas.
5. Apply mulch. Blanketing dirt with 2 to 4 inches of natural mulch maintains moisture, limits weeds and prevents the soil below from overheating. Fully decayed compost makes excellent mulch and won’t compete for nitrogen and other nutrients. Bark, wood chips, finely ground gravel, peat moss and leaves make good mulch materials. Avoid any mulch that may contain seeds to prevent unwanted plants.
6. Irrigate wisely. Of all household water use, 40 to 50 percent typically goes into our yards, especially during the summer months. Drip irrigation is best for encouraging deep root systems and minimizing water use because it provides a slow infusion of water over a longer period of time, so less water is lost to evaporation and topsoil isn’t washed away. Drip irrigation uses 20 to 50 percent less water than conventional sprinkler systems, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and you can find a kit at nearly any garden store. You also can buy or build a system that recycles rainwater or reuses graywater from your bathroom sink or tub.
7. Maintain your garden. Other ways to keep your landscaping healthy with less water include adding new mulch as needed, weeding regularly and keeping your irrigation system running properly. If you have a grass lawn, don’t mow it shorter than 2 inches. Tall grass provides shade for its own roots and retains more moisture.