Xeriscaping

iros is the Greek work for dry; thus, xeriscaping (pronounced "ZIR-ih-scaping") is the art of landscaping in an arid climate with vegetation that requires very little supplementary water. Ideally xeriscaping uses plants that naturally thrive on the normal rainfall of the region.

Xeriscaping is not limited to cacti and rocks. A well-designed xeriscape can be beautiful all year long. You can even set aside a small part of your space for vegetables and flowers which would demand more water yet still be a conservative water user as the rest of the garden wouldn't require it. A trickling fountain or small water garden (think very small!) would make a nice addition to your arid garden and add the sound of splashing water. If you use a recirculating pump, you would keep water use to a minimum.

Gardening with an eye to saving water doesn't mean cactii--it means growing what is best suited for your area's own rainfall

You can save water and still have a bit of lawn! Try confining it to a single focal point and choose dryland grasses such as tall fescues or buffalo grass. A drought tolerant ground cover can be used in place of grass and still gives that lush feeling. Some covers that would work are common yarrow, sea thrift and Portuguese broom.

You can also use flowers in your garden. Annuals that adapt to both warm and cold climates include marigolds, African daisy, dusty miller, sunflowers and moss roses to name just a few. When planting, be sure to mix an absorbent material like pumice into the bed. After a rain, plants will be able to absorb the water released by the pumice long after the soil has dried.
If you put the plants in the ground just before the rainy season, you can take advantage of whatever natural moisture you will get. Space the plants far enough apart so the roots will have room to spread without competing for the moisture and mulch, mulch, mulch! Adding 2 or 3 inches of mulch to finished beds keep the soil cool and drastically reduce water loss.

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Amy Rawson is a freelance writer, and is the attachment parent leader at http://www.herplanet.com. She also runs a home-based business making homemade salves, oils and balms for babies and mamas at http://www.welcome.to/lvmyboysessentials. This article © 1999-2005 Amy Rawson. Used by permission.