The Xeriscape, Dry Climate Landscaping
With many people migrating to warmer areas, along with everyone trying to conserve energy and natural resources, not to mention drought conditions effecting many areas of the United States, Xeriscaping, traditionally known as Dry Climate Landscaping, is becoming more and more interesting to many.
But, how can you be creative with just cactus?
Well, the point is, it doesn't have to be just cactus anymore. There are so many more plants, and varities of traditional plants, than there ever were before. Plants are also being developed that do not need as much water to be happy, healthy, beautiful plants. There are also natives from areas of the country, like the Texas Hill Country, where many different types of plants have grown in dry conditions forever.
Aside from knowing that you have a dry, even a newly dry, climate, the first thing you should do, as with any other planting, is to evaluate the soil and microclimate conditions. Do this before you sit down and start to look at books and magazines to pick out your style and plant matter. If you don't, you may be wasting time and need to go back and re-evaluate all of your choices.
Test the soil. You can either pick up a simple test kit or bring a sample to your local cooperative. You will find out what the soil has or lacks and makes ammendments that are suitable.
Check the moisture retention of the existing soil as well as the drainage. You may find that with adding a good layer of mulch that the soil will hold enough moisture for you to be able to add mre varieties of plants into the design.
Go to your local nurseries and check out what they suggest for the area and for low water conditions. They know what is going on better than anyone else and can very often make suggestions that you may not have thought of and add a nice variety to your landscaping project.
Next, armed with your books and magazines, and your new knowledge, sit down and start to plan your new landscaping.
Be sure you include a good layer, a few inches think, of some type of mulch that will hold in moisture. Plan on at least 3 inches, and redress it a couple of times a year. It retains the moisture, regulates the soil temperature, and helps prevent erosion.
If you are going to add irrigation, add drip irrigation. Set it so it waters infrequently, but deeply. Doing so actually makes the plants more drought resistant.
With the proper planning you will have a garden that requires minimal maintenance. So, you'll finally be able to lay back and enjoy that lemonade and hammock!
© Barbara Frerichs
Check here for a list of Dry Climate Plants.
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| Dry Climate Gardens, also known as Xeriscapes, don't have to be just cactus, but this is beautiful, isn't it? |
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