Waterwise Landscaping:

Designing a Drought-tolerant

(and deer-resistant)

Landscape and Garden

Basic principles of xeriscaping

How to Design and Implement

Plants and Practical Information

UCCE Master Gardeners of Trinity County

Xeriscaping

Waterwise Landscaping

and Xeriscaping

What is Xeriscaping?

“The term ‘xeriscape’ was coined by the Denver Water Department in

Colorado. The Principle behind xeriscaping is to create a landscape that

thrives without supplemental irrigation.” Anne Schellman, Water-Wise

Gardening

Xeriscape is a registered trademark of the National Xeriscape Council ~

defined as “horticulture that emphasizes water conservation.”

Derived from the Greek word xeros, which means dry.

7 Basic Principles of Waterwise Landscaping

• Planning/Design

• Water conservation

• Mulchng

• Minimize turf areas

• Zoning

• Efficient irrigation

• Proper maintenance

Planning • Make appropriate plant selection for

the climate where you live

• Mediterranean climate plants are

suited to much of California ~ Cool wet winters, dry hot summers

• Trinity County is Zone 7 ~ Typical winter lows 20° to 90F. Record lows 15 to -10F. Optimal growing season May through the first week of October.

Water Conservation

• Soil Drainage

• Mulching

• Hydro-zoning plants with similar water needs

• Irrigation

What’s my soil type and why do I care?

• Soil amended with compost and high in organic matter

will absorb and hold water better than poor soils. This

allows plant roots to penetrate deeper deeper where

they can utilize additional water and nutrients

• Understand the relationship between soil and plants

• Soil composition is important – Loamy Sand is 1st to warm up in spring, water and nutrients move through

readily.

– Loam contains 5-10% organic matter, provides excellent mixture of sand, silt

and clay for gardening.

– Clay Loam holds onto water and nutrients longer than sandy soils.

– Clay restricts movement of water, air and nutrients.

Mulching

• A 2-4” layer of organic mulch can provide many

benefits: water retention, weed reduction, erosion

control.

• Shredded bark, grass clippings, and compost are

Organic mulches

• Inorganic mulches include stone, cloth and plastic.

Pine needles

Pine bark

Proper way to mulch a tree

Organic Mulches

Minimize Turf Areas

• Lawns require large amounts of

water, fertilizers, money and

time.

• Plant only as much as you need

• Plant the appropriate type of

turfgrass for your climate.

• Bunch grasses provide spiky

interest throughout the yard and

can help accent the colors of

other plants.

• Hardscapes, mulches and

rocks.

✔ Use turf effectively for function rather than appearance only.

✔ Consider substituting ground covers or natural mulches.

✔ Remove lawn one area at a time.

• Limit area of annual flower beds

• Use containerized plants

Zoning

• Group plants according to the same exposure and water needs

– Vegetables and fruit trees need the most water and care. Also, plants you may not want to part with such as azaleas, gardenias and hydrangeas, as well as lawn.

– Low water users that may need supplemental irrigation in summer.

– Xeriscape zones – minimal water.

Efficient Irrigation

• Zone irrigation systems to match plant requirements – Separate irrigation lines can be programmed to meet differences in frequency and duration

• Use drip lines and soaker hoses

• Irrigate shortly before sunrise. Avoid irrigation during windy periods.

• Install permanent, automated irrigation system. – Design irrigation systems to emphasize uniformity especially on turf areas

• Sprinkler calibration ~ three to four times a year – Water use rates vary greatly from season to season

• Avoid overspray from sprinklers onto sidewalks, patios or other areas.

• Refrain from watering during the winter

• Check irrigation system and repair regularly

• Deadheading, pruning,

trimming, and weeding

• Raking, thatching

• Mow lawn areas to a

height of 3”. Remove

about 1” of grass each

time you mow

Proper Maintenance

Implementing Waterwise Landscaping