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One way to cut back on landscape water use is to utilize the principles of xeriscaping, a type of water-wise gardening that focuses on the efficient use of water. The techniques involved are often misunderstood so let's clarify these misconceptions.
No, XERIscape is not pronounced and does not mean ZEROscape.
The term "xeriscape", pronounced "zer-i-scape", was coined in 1980 to promote water conserving landscape practices. The term xeriscape comes from the Greek word "xeri" meaning dry and has become synonymous with water conserving landscapes. Whether driven by drought, water supply limitations or a mere desire to have more efficient landscapes in our communities, the concept of water conserving landscapes has grown in popularity throughout the country. But this doesn't mean that your yard has to be devoid of all living plant material and be covered with just rock and mulch.
Water-wise gardens can be drought tolerant yet beautiful. The principles of xeriscape reduce water use by planning and designing the landscape carefully, limiting turf areas, using efficient irrigation techniques, improving the soil before planting, using organic mulches to minimize water loss, selecting low water demanding plants and maintaining the landscape appropriately. Using these principles, you can conserve water and have a beautiful landscape.
Yes, even drought tolerant plants need some supplemental water.
The Front Range is considered a semi-arid environment receiving an average of only 10 - 15 inches of natural moisture each year and most of this moisture comes in the form of snow.
Many of the drought tolerant plants that grow well in our area can survive and even thrive on this amount of natural moisture. But all plants will need supplemental water when they are first planted. The majority of plants will take approximately two years for the root system to get established in the landscape. Until that time, they will need regular watering particularly during the hottest and driest months of the summer. Some plants are moderate rather than low water users and will require some supplemental irrigation even after their root system is established. Group plants with similar water needs together. This will prevent over-watering some while under-watering others.
No, not all native plants are drought tolerant.
Most native plants are well adapted to our soils and climate and endure our sometimes harsh summers and winters. But some of these native plants are found in areas of naturally higher moisture such as along streams or intermittent streams. Others grow in the canyons and gulches of the foothills where more moisture naturally accumulates. Explore the type of area where these natives are found and place them in a similar landscape environment.
Yes, turf areas can have their place in a water-wise landscape.
You don't have to dig out all of your lawn to have a water-wise landscape, just limit the turf area to where it is the best choice. Turf can be one of the best choices for high use areas such as a children's play area or dog run where grass is preferred over hardscapes. Kentucky bluegrass, one of the higher water requiring grasses to maintain a high quality turf, can be a good choice for heavy use areas since it can take a fair amount of abuse and rebound quickly. If left unirrigated, Kentucky bluegrass will go dormant rather than die. It will turn brown but will green up again if watered. There are also cultivars of Kentucky bluegrass that are somewhat more drought tolerant.
If the turf area is not heavily used, there are a number of grasses that require less irrigation to remain green and some natives that are quite drought tolerant creating a beautiful plains or meadow effect.
To minimize water loss when irrigating a turf area, design the area without obstructions. Don't plant turf in narrow areas that are difficult to irrigate or on slopes that are difficult to mow.
For more information on xeriscape or water-wise landscaping, refer to
the following Fact Sheets:
7.228
Xeriscaping: creative landscaping
7.229
Xeriscaping: trees and shrubs
7.230
Xeriscaping: ground cover plants
7.231
Xeriscaping: garden flowers
7.234
Xeriscaping: retrofit your yard
Also call PlantTalk Colorado toll-free at 1-888-666-3063 and request recordings 1901-1912 on xeriscaping or read the scripts on-line here.
Q: What can I do about the many spiders that seem to be coming into my house?
A: Spiders tend to move into homes with the onset of cooler weather. Make sure all windows are sealed securely to prevent their entrance. If needed, they can be controlled by many common household insecticide aerosols or by spraying or painting residual insecticides in corners and along baseboards. Be sure to read and follow all instructions on the label.
Q: Should I dig my gladiolus corms before winter?
A: Yes. Bulbs, corms or roots from amaryllis, cannas, callas, dahlias, gladiolus, lilies and tuberous begonias must be dug in the fall at first frost and placed in dry, frost-free storage if they are to be alive in the spring.
Vegetable Harvesting Ideas:
Bursts of fall color can be added to any spot on your porch or in your garden with a potted mum. Replace the summer annuals that have fizzled out from the heat with large mums that are coming into bloom. A layer of mulch will conserve water and keep the soil warm for those cool nights of autumn.
The authors have received training through Colorado State University Cooperative Extension's Master Gardener program and is a Master Gardener volunteer for Larimer County.
Fact Sheets are available at the Larimer County Extension Office, 1525 Blue Spruce Drive, Fort Collins, Colorado, telephone (970) 498-6000, or contact us by e-mail at larimer@coop.ext.colostate.edu
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