Barb's Garden Observations: Xeriscaping is Essential in Dry Areas

Thursday, April 28, 2016

Xeriscaping is Essential in Dry Areas

Many homeowners in California are discovering xeriscaping -- landscaping that does not depend heavily on irrigation. Ideally it should be able to exist on rainfall once it becomes established. Until then, it usually utilizes drip irrigation. Xeriscapes are normally heavily mulched to conserve the water in the soil. I'd like to show you how some of my neighbors have used xeriscaping to replace part or all of their lawns. Xeriscaping is essential in dry areas like Paso Robles where watering restricted.

That's why I'm moving in that direction in my own yard. So far I've only gotten as far as no longer watering the lawns and adding only drought-resistant flowers and shrubs. Many of my neighbors have already removed their lawns and replaced them. The yard above even looked bright in December. Below is a February xeriscape of a side yard that runs between a homeowner fence and the street.

Keep in mind that most of these xeriscapes are less than two years old. The herbs which are most often used have not had time to grow and fill their allotted spaces yet.

Another neighbor terraced what was his lawn area and is planting drought resistant flowers, shrubs, and herbs. He's just getting started here on February 25, 2016.

Here's the view today, April 28, 2016. There's been a lot of growth in just two months.

My favorite neighborhood xeriscape is in full bloom. I won't show you the February photo, even though that also looks good. I'd rather give you more views of how it looks on this end of April day. Here's the first view from the front of the house.

After taking the shot above, I walked to the corner to take this diagonal shot that shows more of the plants.

Then I turned the corner and took this side view shot from Riverbank Lane. It gives you the best view of the olive tree in the corner near the garage. You see the olive tree in every photo.

Now I'm looking back diagonally toward the cross street. It doesn't matter from which direction you look, the view is colorful. In February the garden was quite empty in comparison. I think many of these yards are works in progress, and I can hardly wait to see them next year when the shrubs and groundcovers fill out more.

As you see, drought-resistant planting can be beautiful. I personally like this much better than a lawn. I hope my lawn looks a bit more like it in a couple of years.

Have you started xeriscaping yet? These books provide some great help in showing you how to xeriscape your yard and replace your lawn with native and drought resistant plants.

Reimagining the California Lawn:Water-conserving Plants, Practices, and Designs

Landscaping with Native Plants of Southern California

The California Native Landscape: The Homeowner's Design Guide to Restoring Its Beauty and Balance

Life After Lawns: 8 Steps from Grass to a Waterwise Garden

WaterWise Landscaping with Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: A Xeriscape Guide for the Rocky Mountain Region, California, and Desert Southwest

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