Xeriscaping Brochure

KELLER IMPROVEMENT TEAM

Te x a s DID YOU KNOW…? SmartScape Water Conservation has become a high priority in North Texas. North Central Texas www.txsmartscape.com has droughts and by selecting low water use Xeriscape plants, you will conserve a precious resource. Texas SmartScape is a water With booming growth a certainty for North conservation and quality program Central Texas, we must conserve our drinking to reduce the amount of water, water supplies and maintain lake levels to fertilizers and pesticides required support ourselves, pets, wildlife, plant life and to plant and maintain a beautiful industry. landscape. Use of native and adapted plants and appropriate landscape maintenance tech- niques are the keys to conserving water and reducing the amount of fertilizer, pesticides and soil particles that contaminate the lakes in an area.

The SmartScape web tool pro- The word Xeriscape comes from a vides a large database about combination of two other words: “xeri” plants that will thrive in North derived from the Greek word “Xeros” Central Texas. The plant selec- meaning dry; and “scape” meaning scene. Water Wise tion search displays a picture of While this translates to mean “dry scene,” the plant and other information the real concept behind xeriscaping is simply Landscaping with to help viewers just the practice of regionally appropriate horticulture. Which translates to plain native drought select the best language as “using the best plants suited to plant for the tolerant plants that your area or using native plants.” right location. are good for the

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Xeriscape depends on seven basic principles...

Xeriscape landscaping does not aware of the acid/alkaline state of and Bermudagrass in sunny lawn ar- mean all cacti and succulents. your soil and what nutrients are lack- eas. Avoid impractical turf use, such There are many other native and ing. as long, narrow areas. adaptive plants that can be 5. Efficient Irrigation: planted that still save you time Know thy Soil! Check with your Water infrequently, and money. local nursery for but when you do, By using these principles, you free soil sampling. water deeply. Plants can reduce yard maintenance, use and grasses develop less chemicals and synthetic fertil- deeper, drought-tolerant roots when 3. Appropriate Plant Selection: izer, and spend more time enjoy- forced to find deeper moisture. Fre- Your design will determine the overall ing your yard. quent, light watering results in shallow effect of the landscape. The actual roots, leading to water stress during selection of plants should come from periods of drought. 1. Planning and Design: those species that are native or adap- Developing a plan is the first tive to your site. Devia- 6. Use of Mulches: A 3”-4” layer of tion from the appropri- and most important step in a organic material should cover all ex- ate selections creates successful Xeriscape. Con- posed soil areas. Replenish it twice a the need for more soil year. Mulch retains moisture, con- sider the regional and micro- amendments, more trols soil temperature, discourages climatic conditions of the maintenance, and weeds, and prevents erosion. site; existing vegetation and different watering Know thy Plant!!! topographical conditions; schedules. Think low Texas SmartScape 7. Appropriate Maintenance: You is a good resource. how you intend to use your maintenance. can’t totally eliminate maintenance, landscape; and the zoning or but by following the first six princi- grouping of plants by their 4. Practical Turf Areas: For a more ples, you can reduce time spent on water needs. interesting and manageable yard, use maintaining your yard. After they are turf as a fill-in plant. Increase the area established, Xeriscapes require less 2. Soil Analysis: Soils will of decks, porous paving, paths, and fertilizer, chemicals, and less water. vary from site to site and mulched planting beds to reduce turf. Your neighbors will admire your land- even within a given site. Be Be sure to select drought-tolerant scape and may not even realize it’s a grass varieties such as Buffalograss Xeriscape!