A R I Z O N A M U N I C I P A L W A T E R U S E R S A S S O C I A T I O N 
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| A R I Z O N A M U N I C I P A L W A T E R U S E R S A S S O C I A T I O N | |
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| THE PRINCIPLES OF XERISCAPE | ||
Good Landscape Planning and Design  Creating a plan will help you get the most out of your landscape while considering issues like cost, function, aesthetic preferences, maintenance requirements, and water and energy efficiency. The plan will serve as a guide throughout the landscaping process, helping you to stay focused and avoid time consuming and costly mistakes. When developing a plan, think long-term. You may decide to complete your landscape all at once or in stages. Xeriscape: Designing with Style provides step-by-step guidance in the planning and designing process.  Low-Water-Use PlantsThere are hundreds of native or desert adapted plant species available at local nurseries. Low-water-use plants can serve any function - groundcover, shade, screening, cooling, seasonal color, year-round greenery, texture, borders, and accents. Their diverse forms, textures and colors offer a palette of unlimited potential. Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert is an excellent guide to over 200 low-water-use plants.  Appropriate Turf AreasAlthough turf generally requires more water and more maintenance than low water use plants, small turf areas can be incorporated successfully into a Xeriscape if they are properly planned, installed, and maintained.  Efficient IrrigationIn the Sonoran Desert, almost all new plants should be watered regularly to get them established; and most plants, low-water-use or not, need some kind of irrigation even after they become mature. The trick is to find out how much water your plants require and to apply only that much. When you design your irrigation system, try to put trees, shrubs, groundcovers and turf areas each on different valves so you can time their irrigations separately. Also remember that plants need less water during the cooler months. Adjust your irrigation schedule at least four times each year. Landscape Watering by the Numbers will take you step-by-step to determine how much, how long, and how often to water your landscape plants. Drip Irrigation Guidelines covers critical aspects of design, construction, and maintenance to establish the high level of quality a consumer has the right to expect.  Soil ImprovementsMost low-water-use plants thrive naturally in our desert soils, so amendments such as fertilizers and soil supplements are usually not necessary. They do prefer good drainage, and soil should be loosened at planting time to encourage healthy root growth. Soil amendments most likely will be needed for turf areas and areas where more water-thirsty plants are installed. Because there is quite a variation in soil quality and composition across the Sonoran Desert, soil amendments may be needed when unusual conditions exist. For more information about your specific soil type and about the possible need for soil improvements, contact your County Cooperative Extension office.  Use of MulchesMulches cover the soil and reduce evaporation from planted areas. They cool the soil beneath and also help to inhibit weed growth and erosion. There are organic mulches and inorganic mulches. The most popular organic mulches in our area are bark chips and wood grindings. These are often used in planting beds and other small areas. The natural drop of leaves, flowers and fruit can also be left on the ground as mulch. Decomposed granite and crushed rock are two of the most popular inorganic mulches.  Appropriate MaintenanceWhen properly designed and maintained, xeriscapes save water, time and money through reduced plant water needs and lower maintenance requirements. But low-water-use and low maintenance do not mean no-water-use and no maintenance. All landscapes need some care, and most plants need supplemental water in our desert environment. ,br> Proper pruning techniques can keep your yard beautiful and natural looking and save you trips to the landfill. A well-maintained irrigation system can keep plants healthy and water use low. Prudent use of fertilizers will help to avoid excessive plant growth which, in turn, will reduce water use and the need for excessive pruning. Xeriscape principles text adapted from Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert. | ||
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WATER CONSERVATION | LIBRARY | PUBLIC MEETINGS | LANDSCAPE PLANTS FOR THE ARIZONA DESERT ONLINE! HOME | CALENDAR OF EVENTS | CONTACT AMWUA | SUB-REGIONAL OPERATING GROUP | NEWS | SITEMAP ARIZONA MUNICIPAL WATER USERS ASSOCIATION 4041 N. CENTRAL AVE. SUITE 900, PHOENIX, AZ 85012 602-248-8482 • 602-248-8423 FAX webmaster@amwua.org The Arizona Municipal Water Users Association (AMWUA) is a voluntary, non-profit corporation established by municipalities in Maricopa County for the development of urban water resources policy. |
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