by Denise Paduano

Created on: September 12, 2009

To create a beautiful, healthy and water efficient garden you need to follow some basic Xeriscape principals.

Good Landscape Planning and Design is Key

Creating a plan will help you get the most out of your landscape while considering issues like cost, function, aesthetic preferences, maintenance requirements, water efficiency and energy efficiency. You can tailor the plan to suit your taste, your needs and your checkbook. The plan will serve as a guide throughout the landscaping process. It will help you stay focused and can help you to avoid time-consuming and costly mistakes. When developing a plan, think long term. You may decide to complete your landscape all at once or in stages.

Use Low Water Use Plants

There are many water thrifty plants available at your local nursery. They come in all shapes and sizes and serve a variety of purposes from shade to seasonal color, to screening unsightly areas. Low water use plants will help you create a colorful, low maintenance yard without unnecessarily taxing water supplies.

Appropriate Turf Areas

Although turf generally requires more water and maintenance than low water use plants, sometimes only grass will do, especially if you have children or pets. Small grass areas can be incorporated into a Xeriscape if they are properly planned, installed and maintained

Efficient Irrigation

Almost all new plants should be watered regularly to get them established. Most plants, low water or not, require some kind of irrigation even after they have matured. The trick is to find out how much water your plants require and to apply only that much. When you design your irrigation system, try and put trees, shrubs, ground cover and grass areas each on different valves so you can time their irrigation separately. Most plants will need more frequent irrigations during their first year. Usually, you can cut back on watering during the second and subsequent years after the plants have become established. If using plants native to your area, then amendments to the soil such as fertilizers and soil supplements are usually not necessary. All plantings do require good drainage, and soil should be loosened at planting time to encourage healthy root growth. Soil amendments most likely will be needed for grass areas and areas where more water thirsty plants are installed.

Use of Mulches

Mulches cover the soil and reduce evaporation from planted areas. They cool the soil beneath and also help to inhibit weed growth and erosion. There are both organic and inorganic mulches. The natural drop of leaves, flowers and fruit can also be left on the ground as mulch.

Appropriate Maintenance

When properly designed and maintained, xeriscapes save water, time and money through reduced plant water needs and lower maintenance requirements. However, low water use and low maintenance do not mean no water use and no maintenance. All landscapes need some care to thrive and grow. P roper pruning techniques can keep your yard beautiful and natural looking. A well maintained irrigation system can keep plants healthy and water use low. Prudent use of fertilizers will help to avoid excessive plant growth which, in turn, will reduce water use and the need for excessive pruning.

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