THE TIME IS NOW FOR XERISCAPING

By Karen Watkins, Master Gardener

	What a time after our long, hot, rainless summer to start planning a xeriscape! The word "xeriscape" was created in 1981 by a task force in Colorado to describe a new way to look at landscaping which mainly centers around water conservation. For most of the country over fifty percent of residential water is applied to lawns and landscape! Xeriscape, from the Greek word xeros meaning dry, may reduce landscape water usage by seventy percent or more. Xeriscape landscaping is NOT simply vast areas of concrete or gravel or large numbers of cacti in a dry and dusty brown area, or "zero-scaping". As the following seven basic principles include, xeriscape is a way to improve the environment, complement the natural surroundings, and save money and time. Sound too good? Let's look at the seven.
DESIGN A PLAN THAT CONSIDERS IRRIGATION AND MAINTENANCE FROM THE START.	You may not be ready to make big changes in your plantscape now, but you can begin by replacing some of your existing water-thirsty landscape. The first step is to become more knowledgeable about the local climate and realistic amounts of rainfall. Begin to notice which plants thrive in your area without high water and maintenance needs. Take your time in choosing which plants will work best on your small piece of the earth.
REUDCE TURF AND OTHER HIGH WATER USE AREAS.	You may want to replace these with alternate groundcovers or "drought avoidance" plants, which simply refers to a plant's ability to withstand drought without showing signs of stress, like Yaupon Holly or Nandina. This is different from "drought tolerance" which refers to a plant's ability to withstand drought without dying like Bermuda turf, which turns brown without water but changes again to green with adequate moisture.
MAKE SOIL ANALYSIS AND IMPROVEMENTS	Soil testing is recommended to determine what nutrients are missing and can be done at our local OSU County Extension Office for a minimal fee, and be sure to follow directions. If compaction has occurred when using heavy equipment which packs the soil and eliminates oxygen, then aerating with a machine, or rototilling can be very beneficial. After you know what needs to be added in amendments, organic materials, or fertilizers, remember that more is not better, so use the amounts called for and always apply according to label directions.
SELECT APPROPRIATE PLANTS FOR YOUR SITE.	We face challenges in our area with cold, often dry winters, hot, dry summers and a windy, warm and balmy spring causing bud out then followed in a few days by a freeze! We do, however, have a wide variety of plants that we can choose from since our Zone 6A is not as cold as up north and not as hot as down south! Microclimates or small pockets of differing conditions in our very own yards also need to be considered before planting. Carefully observe how many hours of sunshine your area receives daily and consider practically the water retention of your slope before choosing planting material.
USE MULCH.	There are many mulches available that can add beauty, reduce water evaporation, and protect against erosion. Use enough mulch to cover roots and soil with at least two inches and preferably four. Know, too, that mulches will eventually decompose into nutrients and organic matter much needed by roots for adequate growth and water retention so, therefore, additional mulch must be added as needed. Consider using a mulch comparable to a cypress mulch that will not float away.
IRRIGATE EFFICIENTLY.	Begin by closely monitoring automatic watering systems and notice where the water is reaching and where it is not. Many yards have entire areas that are missed by the sprinklers. Adversely, water over spray onto streets, sidewalks, and driveways is wasteful and inefficient. Small areas, corners, and narrow strips of garden or turf can be watered by hand held hoses or eliminated totally and replaced with low water xeriplants or hardscape materials that blend with the overall theme of the environment. Drip irrigation offers the greatest potential for water conservation.
DO APPROPRIATE MAINTENANCE.	As in any landscaping, it includes weeding, feeding, pruning and mowing, pest control and watering. One Xeriscape truism is that the water and maintenance requirements are relational. The more the water, the higher the maintenance! If you dislike weeding, use more mulch. If you dislike feeding, use a slow release fertilizer or take advantage of that soil test and the soil improvements you plan to make. If you dislike pruning or mowing choose plants accordingly that do not require much cutting, are dwarf varieties, or look best in their natural growth habit. To eliminate the need for pest control it is again advisable to do that research to find out which plants are pest resistant. Include basins or pools and a variety of plants and blooms that attract wildlife, especially birds and beneficial insects who feed on pests in the garden. It is easy to recognize that planning and not so common sense are integrated into these seven principles. Take your time and remember Rome wasn't created in a day!!