Transitioning from a Water-Consuming to a Xeriscaped Yard

There are many considerations to look at when transitioning to a xeriscaped yard.

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Unless you are in the landscaping industry, xeriscaping may not be a term that you are familiar with, but that doesn’t mean you haven’t heard of the concept. It comes from two Greek words – xeros and scape – that are translated as “dry” and “view,” respectively. 

What Is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscaping is the philosophy of conserving as much water as possible when designing your yard. This philosophy was originally implemented for areas affected by drought, but has transformed into a landscaping style that can be preventative and efficient with water consumption in all areas. Although many people think xeriscaping requires zero water use, that is incorrect since the main philosophy behind this trend is water conservation rather than water negation. The practice and term of xeriscaping was started in Denver in the late 70’s and early 80’s as a way for the Denver Water Department to make it through a drought.

What Are the Principles of Xeriscaping?

The main goal of xeriscaping is to create a beautiful looking garden or yard that will cut down on using one of the earth’s greatest resources: water. By conserving water, you are doing your part to help future generations combat droughts and water depletion. By utilizing a sound landscaping design and planning to cultivate your yard in a functional and effective manner, you don’t need to sacrifice a unique yard for saving water. The best way to get the xeriscaped yard of your dreams is to pick water efficient plants, utilize proper irrigation techniques, lay down the correct soil and mulch, and maintain your yard.

Xeriscaping Ideas

There are a lot of innovative products that you can implement to create a yard that uses less water. According to the principles of xeriscaping, you cannot have large grassy areas; however, if you are the type that has a larger yard that you want to fill with some grass, artificial grass is a great product to use. With so many different types and variations, it’s easy to get the look and feel of real grass without using tons of water to keep it alive. Another great idea to save water while creating a beautiful and functional space is to design pathways and sitting areas around your yard.

Benefits of Xeriscaping

The most obvious benefit of xeriscaping is that it can decrease water consumption by up to 75%. Because xeriscaping requires less watering and will have a built-in irrigation system, it requires less maintenance, which saves you time. Another major principle of xeriscaping is using native plants in your area, which means you do not need to use fertilizers or pesticides. This creates a yard that is not only pollutant-free, but also benefits the native wildlife in your area. Xeriscaping also creates less pollution and saves you time because there is no need to use a lawn mower, which uses other resources like gasoline.

Although there is an initial financial investment to transition to a xeriscaped yard, you save money in the long run by using less water and raising your property value. A major selling point in today’s market is having a drought-proof yard that looks beautiful and is easy to maintain. Xeriscaping not only helps your financial situation, but it ultimately helps nature and the wildlife, so it is a good transition for everybody involved.

By implementing these principles, you can save money, time, and help nature.