Home Gardening

Xeriscaping requires less water and maintenance
Mississippi Gardens Newspaper and Web Column - May 17, 2004

Xeriscape is a term that we don't use much in south Mississippi because it refers to landscaping with water conservation in mind. Since at times it seems we live in a virtual "flood zone" there's even less motivation to contemplate a xeriscape. However, if I told you that with careful use of xeriscape principals you could lower your water bill and reduce landscape maintenance. Would you be interested?

	Contrary to popular belief, xeriscape does not necessarily mean a landscape full of cacti and other succulents.

The word "xeriscape" was actually coined in Colorado in 1981 during a serious drought. It is derived from the Greek "xeros" and the word "landscape". Many municipalities and communities around the country incorporate xeriscape principles into their practices, not just because of years of record low rainfall, but also because per capita consumption of water has increased over the last 40 years.

Consider research from Georgia that shows daily use of water in Atlanta rose from 50 gallons per person per day in 1965 to a whopping 200 gallons per day in 1991! And, according to national statistics 35 percent of the water we use at home is applied to lawns and gardens.

Water costs money and it takes time and effort to apply it. However, we can reduce the need to water without resorting to a landscape full of cacti and other succulents. Xeriscaping involves a seven step approach to water use reduction, yet it doesn't take the application of all seven of these steps to see savings. The steps include:

• Simple landscape planning and design
• Soil analysis
• Appropriate plant selection
• Practical turf areas
• Efficient irrigation
• Use of mulches
• Appropriate maintenance

One of the main differences in xeriscape plans and traditional plans is the division of the landscape into three water use zones. High water use zones are those that have high maintenance plants (i.e. annuals) that may need regular watering. Moderate water use zones are areas where plants are watered only if they show signs of stress, such as wilting or change in leaf color. Low water use zones are those that depend solely on rainfall. A homeowner simply maps these areas out, chooses appropriate plants and manages them accordingly.

One of the best ways homeowners in south Mississippi can incorporate xeriscape principles is to reduce the amount of turf. All the common turf grasses we use in our landscapes can be used in low water use zones once established. Reducing the amount of water to lawns not only saves time and money, but will also help the grass resist diseases. Turf can be reduced in landscapes by careful, planned addition of woody shrubs, trees, vines and perennials that are available at local garden centers.

For more information on xeriscaping check for books at your local library or search for publications on the Internet.

Publications may download photograph at 200 d.p.i.

These archived columns were written by Kerry Johnson, a hobby gardener, former weekly newspaper columnist and an Area Extension Horticulture Agent for 11 coastal counties in Mississippi.