What is Xeriscape? Why Xeriscape?

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1 What is Xeriscape? Communities have been faced with increased demands on existing water supplies. Consequently, there is a greater focus on water conservation, not just in times of drought, but in anticipation of future population growth. Water can no longer be considered a limitless resource. A philosophy of conservation of water through creative landscaping has coined the new term, xeriscape. Why Xeriscape? The term xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros aning dry, combined with landscaping, xeriscaping. The goal of a xeriscape garden is to create a visually attractive landscape that uses plants selected for their water efficiency. Properly maintained, a xeriscape garden can easily use less than one-half the water of a traditional landscape. Once established, a xeriscape should require less maintenance than turf landscape. Xeriscaping Saves Water: Using native and other drought-tolerant plants can significantly reduce water use. Xeriscaping Saves Time: It de-emphasizes the use of bluegrass lawns and other thirsty plants. This common-sense approach can reduce the time you spend fertilizing, watering, and mowing. Xeriscaping Saves Money: Reducing water use can lower your water bill. Xeriscaping can also reduce maintenance costs and increase the beauty and value of your property.

2 The Principles of Xeriscape By applying xeriscape principles to your landscape, you will not only save water, but you will also enjoy the beauty and diversity of native and other drought-tolerant (waterwise) plants. Many delightful varieties of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses do very well in the Rochester Area. The following seven principles serve as a basic introduction to successful xeriscaping: By incorporating these seven principles, you can help preserve our most precious natural resource, water. Xeriscape landscapes do not need to be cactus and rock gardens. They can be green, cool landscapes full of beautiful plants maintained with water-efficient practices. By applying xeriscape principles to your landscape, you will not only save water, but you will also enjoy the beauty and diversity of native and other droughttolerant (water-wise) plants. Many delightful varieties of trees, shrubs, flowers, and grasses do very well in the Rochester Area. The following seven principles serve as a basic introduction to successful xeriscaping: By incorporating these seven principles, you can help preserve our most precious natural resource,water. Xeriscape landscapes do not need to be cactus and rock gardens. They can be green, cool landscapes full of beautiful plants maintained with water-efficient practices. Seven basic principles which lead to saving water: 1. Planning and design 2. Soil analysis 3. Practical turf areas 4. Appropriate plant selection 5. Efficient irrigation 6. Use of mulches 7. Appropriate maintenance

3 Planning and Design A beautiful xeriscape starts with a good design. The physical characteristics of the site should be considered and so should your needs and your aesthetic preferences. For example, here are a few of the considerations: Sun: What portions of the property receive hot, afternoon sun? What portions receive morning sun and afternoon shade? The amount and time of sun will affect the types of plants you choose. Function: Do you need an outdoor living area? If so, consider expanding the patio area with additional shade structures and low-water-use trees to provide privacy. Views: Are there views you want to protect or screen? Know the mature size of the plants you select to ensure the views and screening you desire. Time: How much time do you plan to spend maintaining your landscape? If you would rather enjoy your yard than work on it, choose lowmaintenance plants. A well-planned design enables you to convert to water-wise landscaping quickly or to install your xeriscape in phases. Whether you create your own design or call upon a landscape design professional, a properly designed xeriscape can help meet your life-style needs. Soil Improvements: To enable your soil to better absorb water, you may need to add soil amendments before you plant. The water retention abilities of most soil is improved with the addition of organic matter. If you are landscaping with native plants, however, soil amendments may not be necessary. Some well-adapted xeric plants prefer not to have too rich a soil. For these plants, doing as little as loosening the soil is all the soil preparation you will need. As a rule-of-thumb, till in 4 to 6 inches of organic material such as shredded pine bark, peat and rice hulls. For trees, however, incorporating organic matter is not necessary; for large turfgrass areas, it is not economically feasible.

4 Limited Turf Areas: Instead of using lawns to cover large areas, choose your lawn size and type to fit your family's needs. Drought-tolerant grasses such as buffalo grass and blue grama grass may be substituted for water-thirsty bluegrass in many situations. Consider reducing the size of your lawn and planting water-wise groundcovers and shrubs instead Whenever possible, choose native and low-water-use plants. Many varieties can grow in Rochester s climate. Some are perfect for adding year-round greenery and texture; others are great for adding seasonal color. Xeriscaping uses the concept of zoning. By grouping plants with similar water needs together in specific zones, your landscape can use water more efficiently. Low-water-use plants should be grouped together, away from high-water-use plants and turf. Take advantage of warm or cool microclimates (the actual climatic conditions around your property which can be influenced by the placement of walls and shade trees) to create areas of interest and diversity. Mulching: Mulches cover the soil and minimize evaporation, cool the soil, reduce weed growth and slow erosion. Mulches can also provide landscape interest and offer protective cover until plants mature. Organic mulches- including bark chips, wood grindings, and composted cotton burrs- are commonly used in planting beds. Inorganic mulches, such as gravel and decomposed granite, can be used to add texture and color under trees and around shrubs. Note: do not use plastic underneath rock or bark. It prevents the soil from breathing and encourages shallow plant roots. Proper Mowing and Fertilizing Conserves Water Mowing grass at the proper height conserves water. Applying fertilizer to the lawn at the proper time and in the proper amount can save time, effort and money through reduced mowing and watering. Fertilizers also can be a major source of pollution of streams and groundwater if excessive amounts are applied. Fertilize the lawn once in the spring and again in the fall to produce a beautiful turf without excess growth which demands frequent watering. Use a slow-release form of nitrogen in the spring application and a quick-release form in the fall.

5 Efficient Irrigation A well-planned and well-maintained irrigation system can significantly reduce a traditional landscape's water use. For the most efficient use of water, irrigate turf areas separately from other plantings. Other irrigation zones should be designed so low-water-use plants receive only the water they require. Proper irrigation choices can also save water. Turf lawns are best watered by sprinklers. Trees, shrubs, flowers, and groundcovers can be watered efficiently with low-volume drip emitters, sprayers, and bubblers. Sprinkler Irrigation: Sprinkler irrigation is the most commonly used method of landscape watering. The two most common types of sprinkler irrigation systems are the hose-end sprinkler and the permanent underground system. Even though a permanent sprinkler system can be more water efficient than a hose-end sprinkler, both systems require little maintenance and apply large volumes of water in a short time. If you have a permanent sprinkler system, make sure the sprinkler heads are adjusted properly to avoid watering sidewalks and driveways. Also, a properly adjusted sprinkler head sprays large droplets of water instead of a fog of fine mist which is more susceptible to evaporation and wind drift. With either hose-end sprinklers or permanent systems, water between late evening and mid-morning to avoid excessive waste through evaporation. Drip Irrigation: Drip irrigation offers increased watering efficiency and plant performance when compared to sprinkler irrigation. In areas of the state with poor water quality (i.e., high salt content), drip irrigation also allows safer use of "salty water" in the landscape and garden. Drip irrigation slowly applies water to soil. The water flows under low pressure through emitters, bubblers or spray heads placed at each plant. Water applied by drip irrigation has little chance of waste through evaporation or runoff. Seeking professional irrigation advice and experimenting with available drip irrigation products in small sections of the landscape are the best ways to become familiar with the many benefits of this watering technique.

6 Lawns: Most lawns receive twice as much water as they require for a healthy appearance. The key to watering lawns is to apply the water infrequently, yet thoroughly. This creates a deep, well-rooted lawn that efficiently uses water stored in the soil. To know when to water the lawn, simply observe the grass. Wilting and discoloration are signs of water stress. At the first sign of wilting, you have 24 to 48 hours to water before serious injury occurs. Apply 1 inch of water to the lawn as rapidly as possible without runoff. Watering only when needed and watering thoroughly produces a deep-rooted lawn which is more water efficient and drought enduring. Trees and Shrubs: All trees and shrubs need more frequent watering from planting time until becoming well rooted, which may take two growing seasons. Once established, plants can then be weaned to tolerate less frequent watering. Proper weaning develops deep roots and makes the plants more drought enduring. As with lawns, water established trees, shrubs and groundcovers infrequently, yet thoroughly. In the absence of rain, most trees and shrubs benefit from a once-a-month thorough watering during the growing season. Remember, normal lawn watering is not a substitute for thorough tree and shrub watering. The feeding root system of a tree or shrub is located within the top 12 inches of the soil and at the "dripline" of the plant. The dripline is the area directly below the outermost reaches of the branches. Apply water and fertilizer just inside and a little beyond the dripline, not at the trunk. Simply lay a slowly running hose on the ground and move it around the dripline as each area becomes saturated to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. For large trees, this watering technique may take several hours.

7 P roper Maintenance Although most successful xeriscapes are low maintenance, they are not no maintenance. Keeping your xeriscape beautiful and water thrifty through a program of well-timed mowing, fertilizing, pruning, pest control, and weeding will ensure that your landscape will develop beautifully. To ensure continued water savings, keep irrigation systems properly adjusted. Properly maintained, a well-planned xeric landscape requires even less work as it matures - leaving more time to enjoy your yard.

8 Plant Selection Select trees, shrubs and groundcovers based on their adaptability to your region's soil and climate. The Rochester area has an abundance of beautiful native plants which are naturally adapted to the region. Most have lower water demands, fewer pest problems and less fertilizer needs than many nonadapted, exotic plants brought into the landscapes. Through the support of the nursery industry, native plants are becoming more available in retail nurseries and garden centers. Combining natives with well-adapted exotic plants is a key to a beautiful, interesting landscape which conserves water. Plant List: There are many resources available for the selection of xeriscape plants. Check out the Xeriscape Plant Guide. This book contains over 100 water-wise plants for gardens and landscapes. trees and shrubs perennials and vines ground covers and grasses annuals shade plants Booming populations have increased the demand on the state's already limited supply of high quality water. In addition, seasonal fluctuations in rainfall and periodic droughts have created a feast-to-famine cycle.