Green 101: Xeriscaping

By Milena Viljoen

The term xeriscaping was coined in 1978 by the Water Department of Denver, Colorado. Like many other areas of the U.S., Denver frequently faced water shortages. The department decided one way to help address this was to encourage water conservation through better landscaping decisions by area residents. The term xeriscape combines the idea of landscaping with the Greek word for dry, “xeros.”

According to the Colorado Water Wise Council, xeriscaping is not simply a specific arrangement or choice of plants, but a set of core principles to garden by. These include:

• Rethinking grass. This doesn’t mean you have to eliminate grass altogether, just rethink where you put it. High-traffic areas might be better covered with a gravel path. Groundcovers may be more appropriate for shaded areas (grass needs lots of sun). And placing plants and drip irrigation systems along narrow strips or lawn edges may be more water-efficient than grass, which requires sprinklers that can water more walkway than lawn! 

• Selecting the appropriate plants. If you think water-wise landscaping means you’re limited to a cactus garden, think again! Native plants are adapted to your specific climate and come in a variety of colors, flowers, textures, and fragrances! They also offer the benefit of providing a wonderful habitat for local critters. Other drought-resistant ornamental plants include many succulents, halophytes, bulbs, and deeply rooted plants. Check out PlantNative.com for more native plant ideas and to find a local native plant nursery near you.
  

• Planning a garden with water in mind. Group plants that require more water together, and place them in shaded areas to reduce excess water evaporation and minimize the amount of watering needed. Plants that require less water should also be grouped together. Consider putting plants that require less water closer to your house to eliminate excess moisture near your home’s foundation.
  

• Improving the soil. Although some plants prefer soil low in organic material (check yours to make sure), most do better with added nutrients. Rather than using fertilizer, you can add compost or manure to improve your soil. In bare areas, add 3-5 inches of organic material and mix it into a depth of about 6 inches. In areas that already have plants, add a thin, quarter-inch layer of compost and let it sink in over time (you’ll need to reapply over the years).
  

• Retaining water using mulch. Adding 3-4 inches of organic mulch directly over the soil helps minimize evaporation from the soil and evapotranspiration from plants (it cools their roots), makes it harder for weeds to grow, and helps control erosion.
  

• Watering efficiently. Minimize evaporation by opting for drip irrigation or soaker hoses when possible, or for sprinklers that keep water close to the ground. Change your watering schedule with the seasons (plants need more water when it’s hot and less when it’s cool). If you can, install an automated system so water doesn’t accidentally stay on all day. Make sure to keep your watering system repaired, since leaks can waste large amounts of water. Finally, use rain barrels or other harvesting methods to take advantage of runoff and rainwater, which can be used to hand-water other areas of your garden.
  

• Maintaining your garden. Remove water-hungry weeds, aerate to reduce runoff, and don’t cut grass too short (it shades roots and helps prevent runoff and erosion, just like mulch).
  

For more information on xeriscaping, check out the EPA’s green landscaping page. Have you xeriscaped your lawn? We’d love to hear about your experiences!