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Index : Watering
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- 23. Xersicape Principles Saves Water - Makes Sense - Top
- If the term "Xeriscape" sounds like "Greek" to you, don't feel bad. It really is Greek; Xeri that is, meaning dry. But in real terms, Xeriscapes are not dry, but rather ones that conserve and make efficient use of water.
The principles of Xeriscaping include; good landscape planning and design, use of low water requiring plants, limiting of turf areas, efficient irrigation, the use of mulches, and finally, good maintenance practices.
In terms of planning and design, one of the most important considerations is the grouping of plants together with similar water requirements. Desert plants should grow with desert plants. Non-desert plants should grow with non-desert plants. That's not to say that you can't have both types in your landscape, just don't mix them together. Mixing prevents either from being watered as needed. Either the desert plants get too much water, or the non-desert plants get too little!
If you want to have the greatest potential to limit water use, plant native and desert-adapted plants. Once they are established, they can get by with the water Mother Nature provides. That's not the case with plants that are native to wetter regions. Take for instance the Live Oak, a native of the Southeastern United States. They are beautiful and popular tree here in Tucson, but require frequent irrigation, especially during hot weather. In contrast, the Blue Palo Verde, native to our Sonoran Desert, has drought survival mechanisms making supplemental irrigation unnecessary. Keep in mind however, that even Palo Verde trees need to be watered the first season after planting.
Probably the best advise I could give regarding lawns is not to have one unless you really need one. A small patch of grass can be very inviting - desirable for both children and pets - but they also use lots of water. Limit the size of your lawn and keep it compact in form. Circular or rectangular lawns are much easier to efficiently irrigate than ones with irregular shapes and meandering edges. Also, plan your lawn in a spot where water from surrounding pavement or landscape drains into. That way you can use rainfall to help with your watering.
Efficient irrigation is the best way to save water. Lots of people have desert landscapes planted with drought tolerant plants, but they insist on watering anyway! Even drought tolerant plants like Mesquite, are gluttons for water if you give it to them. But the problem with giving lots of water to desert-adapted plants, besides the waste, is that your slowly killing them with your kindness! Even non-desert plants like citrus can usually get by with much less water that they are given.
Try watering on an as-needed basis. Most plants will tell you when they need a drink. Citrus for instance will roll their leaves up in a cigar-shape when their thirsty. The leaves of some plants will loose their glossy shine and droop when they need water. Still others will begin to shed leaves. Water your plants and record the date. Then let them go until they begin to show signs of moisture stress. If it took 10 days for that to occur, then set your irrigation to water maybe every 8 or 9 days. That way you'll come very close to water on an as-needed basis only. As the seasons change, adjust your watering using the same method.
To help keep moisture in the soil, use mulches. Decorative rock mulch used to cover the soil will help reduce evaporation of moisture from the soil. To be effective, the rock mulch should be a minimum two inches deep. Better yet, use an organic mulch around your plants and in your landscape. A three inch layer of ground wood mulch or compost will keep the soil cooler than rock mulch and hold in more soil moisture.
Finally, maintain you plants with proper pruning and fertilization practices. Plants use greater amounts of water when stressed by excessive pruning and over-fertilization. Keep pruning and fertilization to a minimum, especially on desert plants.
If you are following the principles of Xeriscaping in your landscape, consider entering it in this year's Xeriscape contest, sponsored by the Arizona Department of Water Resources. There are categories for homeowners and professionals, and any size property or project is eligible. Entry deadline is April 1, 2002. Winners will receive their awards at a ceremony at Tohono Chul Park in May. For information and entry forms contact ADWR at (520) 770-3816 or go online at www.water.az.gov
"Growing Patio and Garden Tomatoes" is the topic for this week's garden demonstrations. They will be presented on Wednesday at 9 a.m. at the Pima county Extension Center, 4210 N. Campbell Ave; and at 1 p.m. at the Wilmot Library, 530 N. Wilmot Road; and again on Thursday at 2 p.m. at the Marana Planning Services on the Northeast corner of Orange Grove and Thornydale.
Written by John Begeman, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona, 520-626-5161.
- Updated: February 24, 2002
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