Lush Landscaping Without Water Waste: How to Xeriscape With Confidence

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If you Xeriscape, you take care of your yard with conservation in mind. Everyone needs to conserve water, not just those in the desert, but will your lawn still be lush? Will your favorite flowers survive the stingy use of water? Yes! Here's how to Xeriscape with confidence.

1. Break up your landscaping so it's not one giant field of thirsty grass. A wide area devoted exclusively to grass means more water and work. Scatter different hedges and flowers around the outskirts, and dot the middle with vegetation that requires less hydration.

2. Water your yard at the right pace. Often, sprinklers douse lawns and flowers all at once, leaving small streams in their wake. The water should be absorbed as its introduced, not puddle up and consumed later. Planning the layout carefully, with the needs of the plants and your climate in mind, use of water should be automatically optimized.

3. Inspect your equipment regularly. Water can easily be wasted through drips and leaks, often without the owner ever noticing. Go over your water lines, including the faucets, checking for any water that isn't reaching its intended source. Most drips and leaks can easily be fixed with a wrench or duct tape.

4. Skip the pots if you're in a drought. Although small container gardening has soared in popularity the past few years, it's not the best choice for conserving water. Roots in these containers have difficulty taking in water, unless you water often.

5. Avoid selecting any type of plant that won't thrive in your particular environment. If you're in California or another arid area, choose something that can withstand drought, otherwise, you'll spend too much time and too many resources trying to rescue them.

6. Conserve water and lower the chances of your flowers and hedges coming down with fungal disease. You do this by quenching their thirst at the roots only. Much of the water on the leaves evaporates anyway, fostering fungus in the process.

7. Go big, with trees that work with your efforts, not against them. A few trees will break up the landscaping, as well as provide much needed shade in the peak summer months. Remember, though, to group plants, trees and shrubs together according to their water and sunlight needs.

8. Check the grass for footprints. A good way to determine if your lawn is thirsty is to walk on it in bare feet. If your feet leave prints, the blades are likely tired and in need of water. However, if the grass returns to its normal pattern immediately, leaving no trace of your footprints, it's good to go.

9. Collect rain water. Use whatever pots you have around the yard or invest in a rain barrel, specifically designed to gather rain, then allow you to tap it for watering.

10. Use greywater from your home. Your household is likely using around 260 gallons of water every day, but some of it can be salvaged on your landscaping. So long as the water involves no human waste, it should be safe to transfer from the tub or sink to your garden.

11. Opt for plants that need less water. You'll save yourself a lot of time, as well as reduce the amount of water you use when your garden is full of plants that can go for longer periods without hydration. Many are unique and beautiful and will add a touch of brilliance to the landscaping.

12. Hire help, if needed. Making the transition to strict conservation with your landscape is a challenge. If you're having difficulty keeping your plants and lawn lush with the new frugal way of watering, consider consulting with a landscape professional. They could evaluate your situation quickly and put you on the fast track to an amazing, yet eco-friendly yard.

Coordinating water conservation with the needs of your prized landscaping doesn't have to mean any sacrifice. In fact, it should mean improved conditions for your lawn and garden, and you, considering the time and money you can save, along with the planet's dwindling resources.

27 July 2015