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LIFE ON
THE FARM
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what is xeriscape™?
Xeriscape™ is the implementation of 7 basic, very common sense principals.
- Start with a Plan - the most basic and simple plan gives you
better control over your needs and wants. Determine where the dogs and
kids play, guests will be entertained as well as where the sun shines and
doesn't so you can properly plant appropriate plants.
- Be smart about Turf Areas - Do you really need turf on all 2000
sq. feet of your front yard? Is that hot sunny hill the best place to
try to grow grass? Deep shade means more weeds than turf. How
many times are you going to replace that sod where the dogs and kids run?
- Select native or well adapted plants - and group together for
water/light needs. That doesn't mean you can't have some of your
favorite annuals or a few thirsty perennials. Just keep them together
so you can hand water them and only them. Don't group drought tolerant
plants with thirsty plants. Someone isn't going to be happy.
- Prepare the soil - Sandy soil drains too fast and heavy clay soil
takes too long to absorb water. By adding compost and a few other key
components to your soil, water will be more likely to remain available to
the plants rather than run off or drain down below the root zones.
- MULCH, MULCH, MULCH! - Need we say more? OK - 4"-6" of a
native, shredded cedar mulch is by far what is generally recommended for the
DFW area. If you live where pine trees are in abundance, by all means,
use pine mulch. The trimmings from your own property are the best, and
cheapest, to use. Lacking that, mulch from your neighbors or by the
bag/load will do.
- Use water wisely - early mornings or after the blazing sun is
going down and not while it is already raining. Fix your sprinkler
systems and get out and enjoy your yard and hand water as needed.
- Low Maintenance is key. Natural fertilizers don't push
plants to grow so fast they need extra water. Mowing the grass so low
you can putt on it is stressful to the grass and makes it more thirsty.
Turffalo - at planting in this newly planted xeric landscape for the city of
Balch Springs, TX. Check back for updates.
what isn't
xeriscape™?
Xeriscape™ is not about using just rocks & cactus or zero landscaping like
so many people believe.
Here in Dallas, we have a wonderful selection of perennials and annuals alike
that can be used in a water savvy, drought tolerant landscape plan.
Not all perennials are wild looking either if uniformity is more your style.
Come in and see what plants can be used.
Yes, it is possible to incorporate the above principals into an existing
landscape. Let us show you how!
Colorado's Water Wise Council
has xeriscaping down to a science and has one of the best web sites I have found
for xeriscape™ info. Check out their
web site
for excellent detail and photos.
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