Water Smart - Xeriscape

Xeriscape gardens vary as to how much water they need – the best rule is to know your plant types and research their special water needs through garden books, the WUA “Xeriscape Guide”, the internet or your local nursery.  However, the following general rules should be useful.    Xeriscape plants need more water more often when they are new in order to get established – however they do not like rich soils like vegetable plants thrive on.  Once established a big problem is that owners do not adjust the watering times down – the result is often enormous xeriscape plants that crowd out neighboring plants.  Xeriscape plants need only 5- 15 gallons per year - compared to a lawn that might use 30 gallons per square foot per year. Applying a couple of inches of mulch around your xeriscape plants will greatly increase the water retention by reducing evaporation.  It is shade for the roots and soil and often adds nutrients. Create a reservoir (recessed area) around the xeriscape plants- if practical, to hold water. Watch out for bubblers since they put out water at rather fast rates – in gallons per minute vs. drip systems that will apply water in gallons per hour.  A drip system will be far more effective in delivering the right amount of water directly to the spot where the plants need their water