Plant Gardens 101

While having a full fledged garden is rewarding and enjoyable, lots of people simply don’t have the time that is required to maintain it. Whether you have too much going on at work or too many kids to take care of, you should never try to operate a garden if you don’t think you can handle it. For those people who are just too busy for a normal garden, I would suggest a somewhat recent method of gardening known as Xeriscaping. This minimal yet stylish theory first emerged in Colorado when water levels were at an all time low. It is a great method of having a great looking yard or garden, without having to maintain it or water it very often at all.

Here in Colorado, many places are offering free Xeriscaping lessons in order to encourage the conservation of water. If your area is undergoing a drought, you should check with the water suppliers and see if they are offering lessons. If you attend those, you will be able to get advice specific to your region (IE types of plants to grow, how much to water them, etc). (more…)

Xeriscape (pronounced “zera-scape”) gardening is a water efficient method of gardening. While the term Xeriscape gardening can sound intimidating to some, it is actually a simple method of gardening that can be used for many different types of gardening. Rather than replacing the way you currently do your gardening, think of Xeriscape gardening as an additional technique that will make your water usage more “green” by using less to grow more.

Using the principles of Xeriscape gardening will allow you to plant and maintain your annuals, perennials, vegetables and trees in the most water-wise manner possible. Now, you will not have to use as much water for the same numbers of plants that you would like to grow in you garden or lawn area.
With as much as 25% of our water supply being used to maintain lawns and gardens, it is becoming increasingly important to learn to plant wisely, taking into account the type of soil you have, the sun exposure needs of your plants and the water needs of your plants. (more…)

Xeriscaping is a form of gardening that was designed for dry areas where watering can be a challenge. By spending some extra planning time choosing the specific plants and garden design, you can conserve water and save time on maintenance.
The Basic Fundamentals

Water Conservation: Begin your planning around this one main feature of xeriscaping. Research the drought-resistant and native plants common to your area. Know what the annual precipitation is for your area and how it is spread throughout the season.

Plan your garden on paper by noting the north, south, east and west and any features that may affect your planting choices. For instance are there any large shade trees, or areas that receive more sun than others. On hot, dry areas facing the south and west, use plants that require less moisture. For north and east-facing slopes, choose plants that need more water.

Take note of the shape of the land and the drainage patterns. Plan areas of run off to flow toward plants that require more watering. (more…)

Xeriscaping literally means “dry”-landscaping. This form of landscaping is designed to use plants that are not overly reliant on water. Also, conservation of water resources, these days, is of the utmost importance when one takes climate-change into consideration. Xeriscaping, being a more efficient use of water to take care of your garden, has become popular in areas that are naturally dry and areas that are prone to drought (Australia being one example). In America, much of the land west of the Rocky Mountains is considered semi-arid, prone to drought and therefore, a good area to consider applying xeriscape principles, rather than continuing to struggle with the the european design. By applying the principles of xeriscaping, it is possible to enjoy the benefits of a beautiful landscape without running up enormous water bills or spending a great deal of time, trying to prevent your garden from turning up its toes due to lack of water. Xeriscape systems generally use 50 to 75 percent less water than traditional european style gardens. (more…)

From the Greek xeros, which means “dry,” a water-conserving landscape design. Xeriscaping, as a word and a style, was developed in the early 1980s by the Denver Water Department as a way to landscape in an area that has chronic water shortages.