M R S . C L A P H A M ’ S 4 T H G R A D E C A T S C L A S S
J A C O B S O N E L E M E N T A R Y
Xeriscaping
Xeriscaping: Definition
A form of landscaping that uses drought adaptive plants, non-exotic plants, no sprinkler system, less irrigation, less maintenance, and used in arid region
Origin: Comes from Greek word “xeros”
Xeriscaping
Done in hot and dry places Uses less water Uses drought adapted plants Most regions in the west do this Cuts water usage by 50-75% Denver, Colorado , was one of the first
urban areas to support xeriscaping Helps during drought Has environmental and financial
benefits Doesn’t require fertilizing, mowing,
and weeding Can be made into a blooming garden Cannot use exotic plants Xeriscaping saves 120 gallons of water
a day Uses less chemical intervention Reduces air pollution
Pros And Cons
Pros Cons
less water consumption Plant selection can be more limited
Less water bills and it takes 2/3 less water
Xeriscaping can be really expensive depending on the plants chosen
Lower maintence and it makes water available for other things
Plants require more care
Less need for pesticides and herbicides
More hospitable environment for birds and wildlife
Increased property values
Takes less time and effort to do
Advantages
Uses 50 % to 75% less water then other landscaping
Cheaper water bills
Less lawn-mowing
You spend less time in your yard and more time in your home
Disadvantages
Requires a lot of planning
Can waste water if not managed correctly
Limited plant selection
It may be required to have a more complicated irrigation system
You still have to work in a xeriscaped garden
Cost
The cost of xeriscaping can be expensive, but worth it for the long run.
People pay from $1,500 – $5,038 to install xeriscaping in their yards.
The average cost for a drop irrigation system is $607.13
Types of plants, irrigation system and affect overall cost.
Most Popular Plants & Trees
Acacia tree It is easy to plant
Pine tree It doesn’t drop
leaves
Oak Tree It doesn’t have
much pollen
(allergies)
Cactus It doesn’t need
too much water
Most Popular Shrubs
• Blue Hibiscus-It has a lot of colors
• Grevillea-Great for decorations
• CistusGreat for welcoming visitors
• Yellow BellsVery beautiful
Soil
Good soil has silt, sand and clay
Too much sand drains water
Too much clay causes runoffs
Very important to keep an even balance of the three!
Mulch
Noun: Material (such as decaying leaves, bark, or compost) spread around or over a plant to enrich or insulate the soil. http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/
Organic mulch is the best
Prevents runoffs
Prevents weeds from growing
Can be used to create decorative
paths
Do’s And Don’ts
Do’s Don’ts
Use your imagination to create a beautiful scenery
Don’t think your stuck with colorless vista of cactus
Use perennial flowers in close groupings
Don’t over plant woody shrubs
Install drip irrigation Don’t be afraid to keep small patch of lawn
Consider seasonal interest Don’t bother to start with large specimens
Group plants by their watering needs
Don’t be too quick to cut plants back in winter
Check into rebates for getting rid of lawns and installing shade trees
Don’t skimp on your soil prep
Design
When you design a xeriscape landscape be sure to…
Plant trees to the south or west of the seating
Go with native plants
Always use a drip irrigation
Pick a selection of plants that benefit from each others water
Use 3- 4 inches thick of mulch
Installation
1.Grading and soil prep
Direct the water through grading
Make use of natural rainfall
2.Irrigation
Sometimes, hand water the plants
Most people use point source drip irrigation
3.Finishing touches
Harmonize décor with plantings
Use shallow-root planters to decorate walls and tables
Add beauty with a water feature
Irrigation
Landscapes need regular watering for two summers so the roots can grow deep in the soil
Grading soil carefully encourages winter rain water to go to water needing plants
Hand watering should only be done in a landscape with drought tolerant plants
Sprinkler systems are a waste of water Drip irrigation systems are in 90% of landscapes
Put an automated timer on drip irrigation systems
Point source drip is the original source of drip
Bibliography
http://facilities.unlv.edu/landscape
http://www.dwa.org/xeriscape
http://education.nationalgeographic.com/education/encyclopedia/xeriscaping/?ar_a=1
http://regina.ca/xeriscape
www.landscapingnetwork.com
http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/xeriscape-landscaping/design.html
http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/xeriscape-landscaping/how-to-install.html
https://www.fcwa.org/story_of_water/html/costs.htm
http://www.landscapingnetwork.com/xeriscape-landscaping/cost.html
www.cupertino.org/Modules/ShowDocument.aspk?documentid=8090
http://www.homeadvisor.com/cost/landscape/install-landscaping/
http://nxnwl.com/waterconservation/xeriscaping/
Bibliography
www.landscapingnetwork.com/Xeriscape-landscaping/
www.free-info-site.com/free...tips.../pros-and-cons-of-xeriscaping
Google images
ext.colostate.edu
Google definition (for sod)
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/X/AE_xeriscaping.html
Microsoft images
http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/
http://www.daviddarling.info/encyclopedia/X/AE_xeriscaping.html
http://www.networx.com/article/cope-with-water-shortages-by-xeriscape-g
Clip art
Thank you!