If you love gardening but always have the current global warming crisis on the back of your mind, you may have a growing concern for the amount of water you’re using to keep your plants alive.

Did you know there’s an alternative that can put your worried mind at ease?

It’s xeriscaping.

What’s xeriscaping? Xeriscaping was invented in Denver, Colorado, by the Colorado WaterWise Council to help people improve their landscapes while using less water. The word comes from the Greek word xeros meaning dry and the Anglo-Saxon word scape meaning view. Xeriscaping uses seven gardening principles that save water while creating a lush garden.

The perks of xeriscaping:

• Lower water bills
• Less work because of its low maintenance
• Little to no lawn mowing, which saves energy
• Helps conserve water

The seven gardening principles:

1. Plan and Design

• Before any xeriscaping can be done, a well laid-out plan needs to be set in place. Create a sketch you’re your backyard or whatever area you plan on putting your garden in. Remember to include existing structures like trees and bushes, if they exist. Consider the costs of your project, the design appearance you’re after, the function of the space and the maintenance it will require. Next, visualize the xeriscape garden you want. Choose the plants, rock beds, etc. having a plan and design will help things run smoothly.

1. Soil conservation

• In a water-conserving landscape the soil should both drain quickly and store water at the same time. Healthy soil grows healthy plants. You can analyze the soil to see if its needs improvement.

1. Create suitable turf areas

• Turf (grass) areas are necessary for open space and visual interest but keep them to a small, yet usable, size. Plant drought-tolerant turf grass in these areas.

1. Choose the appropriate plants

• Plants for xeriscaping should also be drought-resistant. If possible, use plants native to your area. Trees, like gray birch, cedars and elms, help reduce water evaporation by blocking the soil from sunlight. Perennial flowers include baby’s breath, Arizona columbine, succulents and tulips. Annual flowers include cosmos, marigold and zinnias. These are just a few ideas. Don’t forget about drought-resistant plants and bushes such as hydrangea, juniper and potentilla! Plants with silvery, waxy, fuzzy or prickly leaves tend to be xeriscape friendly.

1. Use mulch

• Cover the soil with a mulch to help conserve soil moisture and retain temperature. Options for organic mulch include peat moss, manure, sawdust and compost.

1. Have an efficient irrigation system

• This helps conserve water. Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems are the simplest way to water your xeriscape garden and they deliver water to the base of the plants. Never over-water your garden; that counteracts the preservation!

1. Proper maintenance

• Xeriscape gardens are low maintenance but still need to be tended to. As with any garden, prune and weed. Add extra mulch when needed.

Once you have successfully followed the seven gardening principles for xeriscaping, you can sit back and enjoy your attractive, water-conserving outdoor oasis.

Image (the xeriscape symbol) Source: Aggie Horticulture