Karen Gerrity, Nederland. Xeriscape, or dry-scape, is a set of principles for water-wise landscaping. It’s all about planning and maintaining your landscape and watering efficiently. This sensible approach allows you to conserve water while enjoying an attractive yard.

You can start by identifying microclimates, such as areas with moisture, sun, shade, wind and heat. Plant “with nature” by selecting plants that can survive and thrive within these zones without much watering.

Plant selection is also a factor. Put like with like. To reduce watering and maintenance, group plants with greater water needs together, and place them in a spot that is naturally moist, such as a low-lying area or at the bottom of a hill.  Keeping plants with similar needs together allows you to provide just enough water to keep them healthy. Low-water-use plants should be used in dry spots, in windy areas, in exposed areas and against sunny south or west walls of buildings.

Consider soil quality. Carefully prepared plant beds can reduce water usage by almost half. Good soil absorbs and holds moisture better and encourages plants to grow deep roots so they can access moisture even when topsoil is dry.  Improving the soil now can help your plants become healthier and better suited to handle low-water conditions later.

Instead of thinking of grass as the focal point of your yard, think of it as having a function such as a sitting or play area. Reduce turf areas that don’t get much use and replace with groundcover, flower gardens, ornamental shrubs and shade trees that are water-wise and drought resistant.

Whether using an automatic watering system, manual sprinklers or hand watering, water early in the morning to reduce the evaporation rate. Water only when your turf is stressed from lack of water. How can you tell? Step on it. If you leave distinct footprints or the grass doesn’t spring back, it’s time to water. When watering trees and shrubs, don’t water at the trunk or on the leaves. Neither carries water to the tree. Instead, water under the edge of the leaf canopy, which is called the drip line, that’s where the roots are. If you use drip emitters, place several along the drip line. If you water by hand, contour the landscape so water collects under the drip line of your trees or large shrubs.

Think of mulch as sun block for plant roots. Just 2 to 4 inches can substantially retain soil moisture, slow evaporation and protect roots from overheating, which is especially helpful to ornamentals and vegetables. Mulch can also reduce or eliminate weeds that compete with landscape plants for moisture, nutrients and sunlight. When mulching around shrubs and small trees, keep the mulch pulled back a few inches to prevent rotting the trunks.

More than any other factor, the plants you choose will determine how water-wise your landscape can be. To achieve the most water-efficiency, choose plants adapted to your area, and plant them in the right zone, as described above. Also, in your lawn areas, select a water-conserving turf grass. See some suggestions at http://nederlandco.org/xeriscape-gardening-saves-water-at-high-altitudes/

Now that you have an efficient, water-wise landscape, you can keep it growing strong by following a few simple guidelines each week:

Mow: During the summer, never cut more than one-third of the height of your grass.  Taller grass cools the soil, encourages deep roots and reduces stress.

Weed Control: Weeds steal nutrients and water from your grass and other plants. Keep weeds under control by weeding early in the year and consistently throughout the growing season.

Fertilize: Adding a light top dressing of compost or organic fertilizer can help reduce thatch buildup on lawns, improve soil texture and can increase root mass.

Prune:  Avoid heavy pruning. Pruning stimulates growth, so plants require more water. Prune your trees and shrubs in the dormant (winter) season before the weather gets hot and dry.

These tips have been brought to you by the Town of Nederland Utilities Department.

Originally published in the July 11, 2019, print edition of The Mountain-Ear. You can buy a low resolution, downloadable pdf of this paper at https://themtnear.com/product/2019-07-11/