With the rise in drought occurrences in recent years, vegetation is harder to maintain and properly care for. In 2020, household water use averaged more than 300 gallons of water a day, leaving a significant impact on supply. Not having enough water can bring many issues, but it can also lead to finding creative ways to change your daily usage.

One of the easiest ways to help with the water shortages is changing to sustainable landscapes. Keeping a lawn at a perfect green can lead to 297,000 gallons of water every year and hundreds of dollars out of your pocket! Finding other avenues that bring a flourishing landscape with little to no water usage is crucial in our changing times. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you will be saving money too!

What is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is the practice of implementing a strategic design in landscapes to either reduce or eliminate the need for irrigation among plants. In this creative process, landscapes are configured to never use water beyond what nature provides, minimizing the overall usage of water and ultimately preserving the water supply. It is common to see grassy lawns replaced with soil, rocks, mulch, and drought-tolerant plants.

This practice is common in dry regions and has brought positive solutions to the ever-growing problem of droughts. While it may seem intimidating, do not fear, all it takes is a little research, and you can navigate your way through this process.

Transitioning to xeriscaping is an efficient and environmentally friendly option to conserve water and ensure a healthy and beautiful landscape year-round!

Why Xeriscaping is Important!

Adapting to this viable practice not only lessens the amount of water wasted, but it can lower your water bill. Households that choose to xeriscape are seen to save an estimated 120 gallons of water a day. With the extra cash, you can purchase even more plants! 

Xeriscaping is a great way to care for the environment and your community’s overall water supply. You can help conserve water and create a thriving landscape that will never lack aesthetic appeal. It is the best of both worlds. You are helping the environment but also creating a visually pleasing and easy landscape to care for!

How to Get Started With Xeriscaping

Deciding to make the switch to xeriscaping is a worthwhile investment for the environment and will save you money on your water bill right away. Understanding the requirements of the land and how to keep it sustainably cared for is essential in making this switch.

The basic concepts of this process are simple, but several factors play a role in achieving your desired outcome. 

When beginning this journey, here are some principles to keep in mind:

• Design and plan out your entire area.
• Decide what your landscape’s natural water source will be if needed.
• Choose plants wisely - Drought tolerable and aesthetically appealing.
• Improve your soil- Utilize organic matter such as compost to improve its quality.
• Mulch - Place a thick layer of mulch on top to help retain soil moisture and keep the plant roots cool.
• Maintain your landscape regularly- Although xeriscapes require minimal maintenance, pruning, fertilizing, and other efforts will be necessary to keep your landscape looking top-notch.

Plants That Thrive in Xeriscaping

So, you have initiated the xeriscaping process, but what plants work best? It is essential to make sure you purchase drought-tolerant plants to allow the xeriscaping to use the least amount of water possible. Desert-like plants are the ultimate plants, as they do not require much water. 

While these plants are different than those that require significant amounts of water, you can be sure to find beautiful vegetation that will leave you in awe.

Plants that flourish in xeriscaping:

• Ophiopogon Japonicus “Dwarf Lilyturf”
• Aloe Aristata “Lace Aloe”
• Erigeron Karvinskianus “Santa Barabara Daisy”
• Callirhoe Involucrata ‘Purple Popp-Mallow”
• Salvia Sonomensis “Sonoma Sage”
• Oxalis Triangularis “False Shamrock”
• Lycoris Radiata “Equinox Flower”
• Oenothera Fruticosa “Narrow-Leaved Sundrops”
• Salvia Guaranitica “Anise-Scented Sage”
• Dioon Edule “Virgin’s Palm”

Join the Xeriscaping Community!

Giving your landscape a revamp with water-conserving plants can be fun and rewarding, so join the xeriscaping community today!

Our goal is to serve our customers by providing a dependable water supply, but we must all join efforts to do our part to be efficient with water!

BECOME INVOLVED IN THE PLAN FOR WATER PROCESS