Seven Principles of Xeriscape
1. Planning and Design - Careful layout incorporates all the needed elements with efficient water use in mind. Proper planning reduces or eliminates costly mistakes.
2. Limiting Turf Areas - Conventional lawns often require over 48 inches of water in a growing season. Many attractive plants are available as alternative groundcovers. Identify areas where turf is the only choice. Then select the minimum area needed and create a design that takes advantage of site conditions and minimizes maintenance. Work with design and plant professionals to select the most drought-tolerant species for your application.
3. Improving the Soil - In some instances, it may be necessary to add compost or manure to increase soil texture and fertility. But be careful! Many native and water-wise plants do not want or need these amendments and their use can increase the likelihood of weed infestation. Work with a plant professional early in the design and planning stages to identify areas where soil amendments will be needed.
4. Zoning Plants - In the design stage, plants should be selected based on both function and water use. Careful species selection and grouping of plants into zones that require similar water regimes is the heart and soul of xeriscaping. Watering systems can then be designed to deliver only the amount of water needed for each zone.
5. Mulching - The areas between plants should be covered with loose material such as wood chips or gravel that allows the soil to breathe, but reduces water evaporation and lowers soil temperature. The type of mulch selected is important. Gravel is appropriate for certain xeric plants cannot tolerate additional winter moisture near their crowns. Wood chips or other organic materials can be used for many species. Consult your landscape designer or plant professional to select the proper mulch.
6. Irrigating Efficiently - A properly designed irrigation system must be used to deliver the proper amount of water at the right times. The system can range from inexpensive hose-end equipment and simple drip-irrigation systems to sophisticated, professionally-installed systems.
7. Completing Appropriate Maintenance - A carefully designed xeriscape can be low-maintenance, but like any landscape, still needs attention. Weeding, mowing, mulching, pruning, and inspection of irrigation equipment must still be performed on a regular basis.
