 No Rain?
No Problem!
by Beverly Burmeier
You want a lush green yard and vibrant blooming flowers — but it’s just so hot and dry in central Texas. So how do you reconcile your desire for a lovely landscape with our short supply of water? Try xeriscaping.
From the Greek word xeros, meaning dry, xeriscaping is a means of gardening using plants with low water requirements as well as hardscape objects like rocks, decks and paths to replace water-devouring grass. But, if you’re visualizing a dull landscape filled with prickly cacti, know that a xeriscaped yard can be just as beautiful as one that needs frequent watering. “The colors are endless, especially for fall,” says Travis Burns of Burns Nursery and Landscape, 87 E off Loop 1604. The key is plant choice and location.
Here are basic principles of xeriscaping:
• Plan and design: Decide how your family uses your yard — for recreation, as a floral showplace or as an architectural addendum to your home. Consider climate conditions, other vegetation and geographical features (slopes, rocks, hills, etc.) of the site. For example, create shade with deciduous trees planted on the west or southwest sides of structures or with evergreen shrubs and trees on the north and northwest sides of your home. Group together plants with similar water needs.
• Analyze soil: Soils can vary within a yard, so test several samples to determine acid/alkaline state and to know what nutrients are lacking. Find soil-sampling kits at plant nurseries.
• Minimize turf: Grass usually covers more of the landscape than necessary for recreation or entertaining. Instead of a blanket of water-consuming grass, increase space covered by decks, porous paving, patios and flower beds. Choose drought-tolerant grass varieties such as
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