The lack of rain this spring in some parts of the state has caused lawns and landscapes to look more like mid-August than July 1.
In the absence of wet stuff from the heavens, the emphasis on water quantity, quality and availability becomes more of an issue. Studies have shown that as much as 50 percent of residential water is used to maintain landscape.
So, what is the answer? How can you achieve a green, lush-looking landscape with less water?
The answer is Xeriscaping.
Pronounced “zer-i-scape,” not “zer-o-scape,” the word implies using plants with low water requirements in a natural setting. Oftentimes, Xeriscaping conjures up images of desert plants in a dry, brown landscape, but it is gaining acceptance in other areas as climate patterns shift.
“There are three reasons to have a Xeriscape,” said Bobbie Schwartz, owner of Bobbie’s Green Thumb Landscaping in Shaker Heights, a certified landscape designer and past president of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers. “Number one, the weather is unpredictable, the cost of water keeps going up and people want to save money. And with a Xeriscape, you can grow plants, like lavender, that would otherwise die in our normal garden soils.”
She designs landscapes that use plants whose natural requirements are appropriate to the local climate, while emphasizing ways to avoid losing water to evaporation and run-off.
To be successful with Xeriscape, preparing and modifying the soil to enhance drainage is a must. Schwartz recommended using an enlarged shale inorganic product called Turface, which doesn’t decay and creates spaces in heavy soil for water percolation.
“It (Turface) is just amazing,” she added. “You can’t do a Xeriscape unless you amend the soil. That is crucial.”
For the first year, as with any new garden, regular watering is recommended.
“After that, a Xeriscape garden can do pretty well on its own,” Schwartz said. “Once established, Xeriscapes can cope without rain. But regular watering the first year is an absolute.”
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