Great Plains Gardening
May 9, 2003
How many of you are acquainted with the Xeriscape Demonstration Garden near Pueblo? May 3, I had the opportunity to attend a lecture by Ms. Jean Van Pelt who is a gardener there. She spoke to a large number of people at lecture hall at LCC on the topic of Xeriscaping for South East Colorado. It was a very interesting topic and I would like to share some of the information with you this week.
As I have mentioned before, xeriscaping is a method of water conserving landscaping, not a no water method. Cities along the Front Range are discovering that xeriscaping is becoming more important with each passing year because of the phenomenal growth of the area and the high cost of water. This is not factoring in the drought of the past years.
Ms. Van Pelt covered the seven principles of xeriscape in her lecture. These are really a matter of common sense, as she said. The seven principles: PLAN AND DESIGN FOR WATER CONSERVATION, BEAUTY AND UTILITY. Draw a map to scale of your property, noting your house, driveways, paths, patios, garden beds, play and utility areas and placing of present trees and shrubs. Also note any problem areas. Using tracing paper over this map, one can experiment with placement of plants that are desired. A good way to plan the placement of the plants is to use the bull’s eye plan. The center of the bull’s eye is the high water usage plants; the next circle is moderate water usage plants while the outer circle is reserved for plants with low water usage. Using a plan such as this will place plants with similar water needs together and also cut down on "hose dragging".
IMPROVE THE SOIL. Adding organic amendments will increase the water holding capacity of your soil---sandy to clay types. The organic material will separate the pore space in clay soil to allow more oxygen and water to be absorbed while it will fill in the pore spaces of sandy soil to hold on to the water, increasing soil nutrients.
LIMIT TURF TO PRACTICAL SIZES OR SELECT ALTERNTIVES TO TURF. One of the quotes in the literature I received states, "If you are just walking on it to mow it, then get rid of it!" Only you can decide how much green turf you desire, but substituting low maintenance grasses and ground covers can reduce water usage and still give you a desirable looking yard. One of the color slides Ms. Van Pelt showed was one showing the experimental grass plots at the demonstration garden. This plot has 10 different grasses planted in 3 different rows of plots. One row is watered at l ½ in., another row at ¾ in., and the last row at ½ in. By comparing the plots one can see just how much water is actually required by each type of grass.
WATERING EFFICIENTLY WITH PROPER IRRIGATION METHODS. Water on windless days, preferably in the early morning, using low angled, low pressure sprinklers on turf; drip, micro-spray, or bubbler emitters on trees, flowers, shrubs, and ground covers. Even small changes in your watering habits could reduce water usage by 20%.
SELECT APPROPRIATE PLANTS AND GROUP ACCORDING TO SIMILAR WATER NEEDS. One is amazed at the variety of low water plants that thrive in our climate. By using plants of different heights, colors and textures an interesting landscape can be produced. A number of us at the lecture noted that some of the plants that were shown were plants that we out here on the plains consider as weeds in our pasture land, so it is prudent to be selective of the plants used in the landscape plan. Remember that a weed is a plant out of place? Many of the weeds we have today are escaped plants from gardens of the past.
MULCH TO REDUCE EVAPORATION. Mulches cool the root zone, conserve moisture, reduce weed growth, and create a neat appearance. Organic mulches should be applied in a layer 3 to 4 inches deep. Inorganic mulches, such as rocks and gravel can be applied 2 to 4 inches deep, but keep in mind these can radiate heat onto the plant.
PROPER MAINTENANCE. Xeriscaping can reduce maintenance, but is not maintenance free. Regular care is essential: proper planting, pruning, mulching, fertilizing, weeding and watering keeps your plants healthy and beautiful.
The Xeriscape Demonstration Garden is located at the Southeastern Colorado Water Conservancy District Headquarters Office Building on the corner of United and Reyes Avenues in the Pueblo Airport Industrial Park just off Highway 50 east of Pueblo. It is open to the public and tours can also be given. This would be a good field trip for 4-H garden project members and also any other group interested in xeriscape management. For information call Jean Van Pelt, 719-948-2400 or E-mail: jean@secwed.com. The Conservancy District also has a website with information on xeriscaping, conserving water, xeriscaping plants, etc. at secwed.org/Xeriscape.htm
Until next time….