What Is Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping is a landscaping method designed to minimize water use. The term was coined in 1981 by Denver Water, the water utility for Denver, Colorado, combining the Greek word xeros (dry) with landscape. It is sometimes misspelled as “zeroscaping” or “xeroscaping,” but the correct spelling starts with an X.
Xeriscaping does not mean replacing your yard with rocks and cacti. A well designed xeriscape includes a mix of drought tolerant plants, efficient irrigation zones, mulch, permeable hardscape, and (often) a reduced but still present lawn area. The goal is a beautiful landscape that uses 50 to 75 percent less water than a conventional yard.
The Seven Principles of Xeriscape
1. Planning and Design
Map your property’s sun exposure, soil type, slope, and existing features. Group plants by water need (hydrozoning) so you can irrigate efficiently. Place high water plants near the house where they are visible and easy to water. Push low water and no water zones to the property edges.
2. Soil Improvement
Amend clay or sandy soils with 2 to 3 inches of compost worked into the top 6 inches. Improved soil holds moisture longer in sand and drains better in clay, reducing the total water your plants need.
3. Efficient Irrigation
Use drip irrigation for beds and shrubs. Drip delivers water directly to root zones with 90 percent efficiency, compared to 50 to 70 percent for spray heads. Zone your irrigation system so turf areas run separately from beds, and high water zones run separately from low water zones.
4. Appropriate Plant Selection
Choose plants adapted to your climate and soil. Native plants and drought adapted species thrive with natural rainfall once established. In the Omaha metro, options include buffalo grass, blue grama grass, coneflower, black eyed susan, little bluestem, switchgrass, and native sedges.
5. Practical Turf Areas
Reduce lawn area to spaces where it serves a purpose: play areas, gathering spaces, visual framing. Replace decorative lawn strips and unused turf with groundcovers, mulch, or native plantings. A 50 percent reduction in lawn area cuts water use dramatically.
6. Mulching
Apply 3 to 4 inches of organic mulch (wood chips, bark, shredded hardwood) or 2 to 3 inches of inorganic mulch (decomposed granite, gravel) around all plantings. Mulch reduces soil evaporation by 50 to 70 percent, moderates soil temperature, and suppresses weeds.
7. Maintenance
Xeriscape requires maintenance, just less of it. Weed regularly during the first two years while plants establish. Adjust irrigation seasonally. Replenish mulch annually. Prune to maintain plant health and shape. A mature xeriscape requires 50 to 75 percent less maintenance time than a conventional landscape.
