Harvest rewards without hard work: intro to xeriscaping 101

what is xeriscaping, and why is it so popular in north america? the term comes from the greek word xeros, which means “dry.” over 40 states have xeriscape programs, according to the university of georgia cooperative extension. the popularity of xeriscape can be attributed to the fact that “a xeriscape-type landscape can reduce outdoor water consumption by as much as 50 percent without sacrificing the quality and beauty of your home environment” (wade and midcap). xeriscaping began in 1981 when landscapers and horticulturalists in denver, colorado, faced water scarcity. denver water, the local water district management agency, discovered benefits beyond water conservation, which have contributed to the appeal of xeriscaping.

if you have high water bills, then you are like most homeowners. the national xeriscape council reports that 50 percent of your home’s water use goes to landscape care (wade and midcap). consequently, the economic benefits alone make xeriscaping appealing. in addition, by applying the seven principles of xeriscape, you can spend less time gardening, apply less fertilizer, and the environment. you may even get rid of that gas-powered lawn mower, along with all the air pollution it produces.

before you picture rock and cactus replacing your lawn, you should know that every region of the country can still enjoy color, texture, plants, and grasses with xeriscaping. in the book xeriscape plant guide, denver water dispels the myth that xeriscaping will turn your yard into hot rock and lizard lairs. the book offers long plant lists and complementary pictures that effectively you apply the seven principles of xeriscaping.

the first principle of xeriscaping just makes sense: do a site analysis and create a landscape plan. second, get a soil analysis. your county extension office can do this test. following the third principle of xeriscaping, select plants that not only need little water but are native to your region and hence already adapted to your climate extremes.

with the fourth principle of xeriscaping, you consider practical turf for your lawn. you do not have to get rid of your lawn entirely, although that is an option. check with your municipal conservation office, because many cities now offer residents a bonus to give up lawns. mesa, arizona, for example, offers $500 for 500 square feet of lawn removed (difrancesco).

now you are ready to apply the last three principles. number five addresses sensible irrigation, which means water deeply and infrequently. if you follow principle six and mulch well, the water will stay at the plants’ roots, shielded from the sun and wind. finally, principle seven emphasizes maintenance.

many people have become so devoted to xeriscaping that they have formed xeriscaping gardening societies and contests. so, not only will xeriscaping eventually cut down on time you spend maintaining your yard, you could even win a blue ribbon in a local xeriscape design contest.

what common misperception about xeriscaping does the author address in this article?

a.) it requires a lot of human effort.
b.) it is expensive to design
c.) it turns green lawns into barren land.
d.) it consumes a lot of water.

and →explain! ←