Water-wiseWater-wise gardeninggardening Xeriscaping can wean your landscape off the wet stuff

eros is a Greek word that means dry. Xeriscape gardening is the planning Xand development of a landscape that uses little additional water to maintain its environment. It can be applied to any landscape design, from formal to informal. Although it may take two to three years to establish, a xeric landscape aims to reduce the amount of water being used. Seven water-saving principles of xeriscaping are outlined below.

A yard divided A good plan divides the yard into three water usage zones: high (regular watering), moderate (occasional watering) and low (natural rainfall only).

High water zone Moderate water zone This zone is a small, highly visible and Plants are watered only when they show signs of Low water zone highly maintained area, such as moisture stress. Newly planted ornamental plants Plants are watered by natural around a patio, where plants are and turf grasses require regular irrigation during the rainfall and receive no watered regularly in the absence of establishment period, generally eight to 10 weeks irrigation. Once established, 1. rainfall. after planting, regardless of their intended zone. many types of plants grow well in this zone. THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF XERISCAPE GARDENING STEP 1 STEP 3 STEP 5 Planning a design Appropriate plant selection Efficient Irrigation Take a pencil and a piece of Consider the design of the planting site when choosing plants. Xeric landscapes need good irrigation in the first few years paper and sketch your current Group plants with similar soil, light and watering requirements. to establish the root systems of plants. site, including buildings, Many varieties of plants will fit in a xeric landscape. turf Water wisely driveways and existing Some steps for choosing plants vegetation. Note the Plants wilt when they need watering. If wilting continues into deck Mature size and form: Consider the plant’s scale as it the evening, water the next morning. Some plants wilt during orientation to the sun. grows; control overgrown plants that will compete with other residence the heat of day and recover later. plants for nutrients and moisture. Consider: Plant health: Look for well-developed roots throughout the How much to water? How long you plan to driveway root ball and for an abundance of small white roots live in the house. Once established, most plants, turf (absorbing roots) on the outside of the root ball. How much you want trees and shrubs need little Color: Add color to the landscape with flowering to spend. watering. This usually takes about trees, shrubs and perennials. Use ground covers Whether you want a high- or low- three years from the initial with variegated leaves instead of annuals, which take maintenance landscape. planting time. To water, moisten 5 a lot of water. the soil 10 to 12 inches deep for What type of plants you want and any additional 4 hardscape materials such as decks, patios and walkways. shrubs and 6 to 8 inches deep Planting tips for annuals, perennials and 3 Use a rain Identify problems and potentials. List needs and wants to be gauge incorporated into the plan. A good plan divides the yard into for trees ground covers. As a guide, 1 inch and shrubs: of water wets the soil to a depth 2 to monitor water usage zones: high (regular watering), moderate Construct a the output of 6 inches. A small shovel may (occasional watering) and low (natural rainfall). It also 4- to 6-inch earthen 1 of your Do not dig incorporates shade and appropriate plant selection. dam around plant. be used as a probe to determine sprinkler. deeper than 0 Now, lay a piece of tracing paper over the sketch and Water will collect how much water is saturating the height of and slowly ground. note where plants will be located and the placement of water root ball and shade zones. run into the planting hole How to water Sprinklers and drip irrigation systems are the best methods for watering. Sprinklers are better for lawns. Drip irrigation STEP 2 Remove (plastic tubing placed below or above the ground surface) is nylon strings best for watering plants. With both systems, watch for runoff, Soil analysis and fold and avoid watering streets and sidewalks. Soil will retain more moisture if properly prepared. Root ball back burlap In high and moderate water zones, adding and wire organic matter, compost or leaves can help soil baskets retain moisture. In low water zones, tilling the soil will open it up to moisture and air and help Dig planting hole two to three times as wide as root ball. STEP 6 roots develop better. Mulching Composting Mulch provides a cover for soil, keeping it moist and STEP 4 preventing evaporation. Mulch also controls weed growth Building and maintaining a compost heap and erosion. will replenish your soil’s nutrients and Turf planning maintain moisture in the garden. Turf provides a play area for the yard. It also controls erosion Types of mulches and how they are used: Compost may be bought or made. and absorbs heat, cooling the environment around it. TYPE ADVANTAGE DISADVANTAGE Put the right type of materials in the heap. Pine straw Excellent for water Flammable when dry. They include: When planning the turf area: conservation. Decomposes quickly. 1. Carbon-rich “brown” materials: leaves, straw, dead flowers Designate a rectangular area large enough Pine bark Conserves moisture None and shredded newspaper. for practical use but with a small perimeter well. Use the mini 2. Nitrogen-rich “green” materials: grass clippings, plant-based to conserve water. nuggets. kitchen waste (vegetable peelings and fruit rinds, but no meat Limit watering to high- Leaves Readily available. Not as neat in scraps), barnyard animal manure. visibility, high-impact Hold moisture well. appearance as bark. 3. Garden soil: A heaping shovelful. areas. Grass clippings None Use for compost. Find a container or site that's at least 3 feet long by 3 feet wide. Use drought-tolerant covers or mulch instead Gravel Long lasting. Absorbs too much BUILDING UP COMPOST of turf on slopes or Shallow roots heat; can damage plants. LID and deeper areas that are hard to drought-resistant Newspaper Layer two sheets Acts as a moisture Green material mow. roots under organic mulch. barrier if placed too thick. (several inches) Never water turf daily Helps conserve moisture. Slats for air circulation unless you are trying to establish it. Daily watering will Layers of brown Fabric Keeps moisture, Hard to install. and green material encourage shallow root growth and reduce the turf’s drought nutrients in, weeds out.

3 feet Moisture layer tolerance. Plastic None Blocks oxygen, water Brown material Divide watering sessions into 1-inch applications once or and nutrients. (several inches) twice a week to maintain health. Thin layer of soil Green material Varieties of grasses used in the Piedmont region and their STEP 7 (several inches) drought tolerance: Maintenance Brown material GRASS SHADE HEAT COLD DROUGHT WEAR All landscapes require some maintenance, but proper (several inches) Bermuda grass Very poor Very good Very poor Excellent Excellent planning and design make it more efficient. 3 feet (common) Centipede grass Good Good Poor Good Poor Things to do: Layer material as shown in the diagram. Every couple of weeks, Kentucky blue Good Good Very good Very good Very good Control weeds. They take water intended for plants. use a shovel to mix the rotted material to the center of the bin or tall fescue Reduce fertilizer applications. The more a plant pile. Keep the compost material moist, not wet. Air should St. Augustine Very good Very good Poor Good Poor grows, the more water it needs. circulate through the pile, or compost material can turn to slime Remove poorly growing plants that consume time and water. and be useless in the garden. Good compost is brown/black and Tall fescue Good Good Very good Very good Very good Avoid heavy pruning. Plants that are left alone require less crumbly with a sweet, woodsy smell. Zoysia grass Good Very good Fair-good Excellent Good water to maintain themselves. MARGARET BAXTER/News & Record

Source: City of Greensboro; N. C. Cooperative Extension Service; University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences; “Xeriscape Gardening” by Connie Ellefson, Tom Stephens and Doug Welsh.

RESEARCH AND GRAPHIC BY MARGARET BAXTER/News & Record A CLASS ON XERISCAPING WILL BE HELD 7 P.M. MARCH 14 AT THE AGRICULTURAL CENTER. THE PROGRAM IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. CALL 375-5876 FOR INFORMATION.