In areas that experience frequent droughts, maintaining a grassy lawn with beautiful flowerbeds may be a bit impractical. Many people are embracing another approach to landscaping which saves water, referred to a xeriscaping. Due to drought conditions experienced in many parts of the United States, especially the Southwest, this form of landscaping is quickly gaining popularly. There are numerous benefits provided by xeriscaping. These benefits include easy maintenance, saving water and an aesthetically pleasing outdoor environment. You also get a positive feeling from doing something which is both socially and environmentally responsible. It is, of course, important to go about your xeriscaping project in the correct manner.
Step 1. Shutting your yard's sprinkler system off is not sufficient. Any plants you want removed from your yard must be removed properly. Simply cutting off the water supply to your lawn and other plants will not necessarily kill them. For example, the weed referred to as Bermuda grass will not die in this situation, but will instead go dormant. The moment it receives water, it will begin to grow again. You either need to hire a professional to correctly remove plants from your yard, or you need to conduct research on the types of plants in your yard to determine how to remove them from your yard properly and permanently.
Step 2. Learn as much as you can about both the types of plants that are drought-tolerant and about different types of landscape styles. This is also another area where a professional can lend their expertise to help you select the perfect plants for your tastes and that will work best in your region. For example, you may want a Mediterranean look with an abundance of rosemary and lavender. A professional can assist you in choosing the right style and color (in addition to hardscaping materials) that will best fit your property. Lastly, a professional can help you group plants together depending on how much water they need (this is referred to as hydro-zoning).
Step 3. Think about the type of landscape you want to create in a holistic manner. This means thoughtfully considering how you intend the space to be used. This doesn't mean that once you pick a theme for your landscape, you can't add other elements or do other activities in the space. For example, if you have pets or children, you want a space that will also be accessible and functional for their needs, rather than a space that is strictly ornamental. Also, remember that you don't have to create your xeriscaping project in a weekend; it can be phased in over time. This can be an especially good approach if you are xeriscaping a large property.
For more tips and information, contact a local landscaping business, like Martin Landscaping.
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