A Xeriscape (from the Greek xeros, which means dry) is a garden of water savings designed for a dry region. Xeriscaping is especially useful in the Western half of North America, where little rain in summer and gardeners rely heavily on irrigation. Savvy gardeners have been incorporating some of these principles in their own gardens for years. The idea gained wider notice and an official name, in 1981, when the Denver Water Department developed the concept and the design policy as a way of dealing with West chronic water scarcity. Eastern gardeners even in rainy areas relatively reliable can benefit through a subsidiary called mesiscaping, or plan a garden which is only moderate in the use of water.
Principles of water-saving
Design doesn't have to be the desert gardens. Xeriscapers highlight that these gardens can be lush and colorful. Gardeners in any region can use the seven principles of design in design or rejuvenate a garden.
1. Saving water incorporated into their planning and design. Map of microclimates and soil types, with particular attention to the places that remain moist longer and those that dry faster or harder to irrigate your garden. In its design, plan of areas of high, moderate and low water use, based on your map. Group plants with similar water needs of these areas. Put your plants alta-el water use where you can appreciate them more, for example, near an entrance or a patio.
2. Improve your soil or selecting adapted plants. For plants with high or moderate water needed, dig the soil deeply and adding plenty of organic matter. Many drought-tolerant plants prefer wooded ground. These group and leave their land without amendments. See the entry of soil for more information on improving your organic soil.
3. Limit the area of lawn. Lawns are alta-el use of water areas. Although some grasses tolerate drought better than others, all grass needs similar amounts of water to look good and be healthy.
Design to be a little oasis of green grass. Xeriscape experts calculated that the average detached garden needs no more than 800 square feet of lawn. Site of your lawn with a patio or entry, so activities can range from one to the other.
Keep the rounded edges and avoid areas of irregularly shaped or narrow strips of grass. Peninsulas and irregular shapes have more border area splicing with routes or areas of bare soil heat up quickly, and the heat will promote more rapid loss of moisture from the grass. Planting turf only to the level of the soil to reduce runoff. Choose the herbs that are drought tolerant and adapted to the type of soil and region.
4. Use mulches. Mulch any area flooring with 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch or gravel or stone thick padding. It can either be placed on grass landscape-resistant fabric. The little rain that falls will be able of soak the porous mulches. Overall design keep in mind: you don't want a big mulch your garden area because it is not a green landscape.
Photo: (cc) theophilos/flickr