Rich Soil

Depending on where you call home, you may have to address your soil situation before even thinking about what plants you want in your garden. If you have sandy soil, water will slip right through and not be retained in the ground around the plant roots. On the other hand, if you have clay heavy soil, water will simply run off the compacted dirt.

Add organic matter which counteracts your problematic soil and remember that gardening is as much about patience as it is about plants - It will take years to get your soil in great shape.

Ground Slopes

The slope of your yard can be as important as the quality of the soil in your yard. A steep grade can mean lots of water waste and runoff - Try a drought-resistant ground cover plant or a shade-creating tree to help prevent evaporation.

Happy Trails...

Adios amigos - I'm off to Mexico for a little vaca' and won't be back until after April 27. Happy xeriscaping in the meantime!

Drip Irrigation

On the topic of water, one of the most efficient ways to water your plants is not with an ordinary sprinkler or hand/hose combo. Try a drip-irrigation system instead, which delivers water straight to the soil and thus, to the roots. Spraying water all over with a hose is inefficient, as more lands on leaves and stems, evaporating before it gets to the soil.

Water Early

The best time of day to water your newly xeriscaped garden is in the morning - Water in the middle of the day and the plants have to work hard to metabolize the water in the heat. Watering at night can promote fungal growth. Instead, hit the "on" switch for the sprinklers or drip system in the morning and use less.

Native Plants

Water-saving gardens across America often have a common characteristic - Native plants. Instead of plants which need lot of water to survive in a different climate, why not pick from a variety of species which naturally occur in your community? After the first growing season, rain will often provide enough water to keep these plants alive.

P.S. In Colorado, drought-resistant prairie grass and purple coneflowers are two good examples.

Skip the Plastic

As you begin your gardening and want to save some weeding time and water, you can utilize landscaping fabric - Just skip the black plastic, as it doesn't decompose. Lay it out flat, cut holes in it for your plants and then add the mulch on top. Here's to more time drinking lemonade and watching your garden grow - without weeds.

Container Gardens

If you're planning on adding container gardens on your patio, porch or yard, clay or wood pots are better options as they retain water. Container gardens are notorious for using and losing more water than plants in the ground, so utilize additive-rich soil too.

Plant Densely

When choosing xeriscape plants, you should also consider planting them a little closer than usual. Their leaves can provide shade for each other and with less direct sunlight, the soil is more likely to retain water.

In addition, if you do have grass, keep it a little longer than normal as the same water-saving tip applies.

Plant Zones

When deciding upon the plants in your garden, an important consideration is not only what species, but placement as well. In the gardening world, this is "zone" creation - Putting plants with similar water and sun needs together will help conserve water on drought-resistant plants and ensure you don't over water others.

Mulch Your Heart Out

One simple way to save water when gardening is to mulch your soil - It reduces the temperature of the soil, retains water, decreases wind exposure to the soil around your plants and will also improve the dirt when it decomposes. Mulch about two inches deep with organic mulch, like straw, bark or wood chips, and your plants, not to mention your water bill, will be thanking you later.

Rain Barrels - Part 2

A few more tips if you are planning on adding a rain barrel to your backyard to collect water for your garden:
- Place a screen on the top of the barrel to keep out the bugs and leaves.
- Make sure to buy a corrosion resistant barrel, such as plastic or stainless steel.
- Install a spigot, so you can control how much water you use through the hose.
- Create a stand for the barrel, as the higher it is placed, the more pressure will be created for dispersion.

Rain Barrels

One of the simplest green theories is to recycle - This includes even Mother Nature's leftovers, rainwater. Purchase a few rain barrels and place them under your gutter downspouts to catch the run-off during your next storm. Then you can re-use the water for your garden or houseplants.

Reduce Your Grass

This tip falls into the obvious category, but an easy way to save water is to reduce the amount of grass you plant - Especially if it's Kentucky Blue Grass, a common species which is notorious for needing a lot of water to stay green. By adding xeriscape shrubs, trees or flowers instead, you'll save hundreds of gallons a month.

Spring is Here - Xeriscape Gardening

With spring in the air, this month's entries will feature all kinds of tips and resources for xeriscape gardening. The first - One heck of a great resource by the master gardeners at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, CO. While the layout of the website leaves a lot to be desired, the content can't be beat for information about water-saving plants and suggestions on how to reduce water consumption.

P.S. The pic? A prickly pear cactus.