The Sonoran desert receives about seven inches of rainfall per year. More than half of that water is used to water gardens and landscapes. Xeriscaping is a new way of thinking, a way of having beautifully landscaped yards, while reducing the amount of precious desert water that is used to maintain the flora. It is defined as “quality landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment.”
Xeriscape landscaping takes a new look at the different aspects of planting and maintaining gardens and yards. Careful planning and designing of gardens to use water more efficiently only makes sense when you live where water is utterly scarce, such as in Tucson, and other places in the southwestern deserts. Grouping plants together to reduce the amount of irrigation, watering in the cooler times of the day to reduce loss due to evaporation, improving soil quality to increase its absorbency, as well as using low water plants and the creative use of rocks and pebbles can give you a gorgeous yard to be proud of, while still protecting the deserts most valuable resource.
There are seven principles associated with Xeriscape landscapes:
- Planning and Design – Your plan should reflect the site topography of your land, i.e., terracing and decks may help integrate built in features and minimize the effects of grading. Building orientation is also important. An east-west axis and minimal glass on walls with strong solar exposure will decrease energy demands for cooling, especially when combined with proper shade producing plants.
- Soil Improvement – Soil containing organic matter retains more water, thus making more water available to your plants. Plants with healthy and deep extensive roots are better adapted to withstand the distress of droughts, so your organic matter should be mixed deep into the soil. The best additions are aged manure and compost. Other forms of organic matter are aged bark and wood chips, although these require the application of nitrogen fertilizer.
- Appropriate Plant Selection – Select the plants that will thrive in your area with you natural rainfall (see the list at the end of this article). Plants that require a minimum amount of watering are ideal. Most xeriscape plants require no extra watering after they are established – unless there is an extreme drought. Group your plants according to water needs. Exotic and annual plants can be put together in a small, easily watered area. Choose a diversity of plants. Planting large numbers of one plant can create a monoculture susceptible to pest and insect problems. For a very thorough list of drought resistant plants that grow well in Tucson go to the end of this article, or talk to your local nursery.
- Practical Turf Areas – Design turf areas in rounded, compact shapes that are sized specifically for their intended uses. Turf areas should be designed so they can be watered separately from your landscape plants. Use drought tolerant turf, such as Buffalo Grass, Bermuda Grass, and Zoysia Grass. Avoid planting grass on slopes, water will simply run off of it before being absorbed into the ground. Use terraces instead.
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