What is xeriscape gardening and why should we consider it?
Xeriscape gardening is using plants and practices that require very little watering and maintenance. The reason to consider changing to this type of gardening may include dead or dying plants or possibly a higher-than-average water bill. By planting drought-tolerant plants – those requiring lots less water – we save money, labor and the heartbreak of losing plants. By saving water for more essential needs, like people and food crops, we can still enjoy flowers, shrubs and trees that use less water but more efficiently. Principles of xeriscape, upon review, just seem to be common sense planning techniques and include: • Planning and Design – Use graph paper or make a sketch of your garden area. Try to use a scale of 1 to 10, or 1 inch to every 10 feet of garden space. Plot out what you have or had in your garden. Now remove what has been lost due to the very hot and dry summer. Consider grouping the surviving plants in some sort of design in a closer arrangement. Not everything has to b
