Xeriscape Landscaping

by Sara Williams
During the 1980's our perceptions about the convenience, use, and value of water began to change.
This was due to drought as well as the adverse impact on the environment of dams and deep wells. It
was recognized that over 50 percent of the water consumed by the average hosusehold is used for
landscaping.
We can reduce both water consumption and contamination by altering the landscape so that its water
requirements are met largely by natural precipitation. The term "xeriscape" is used to describe this
approach. It means "water conservation through creative landscaping." It is a registered trademark of
the National Xeriscape Council, Inc. of Austin, Texas, a non-profit organization dedicated to water
conservation.
The principles associated with the concept of xeriscape have been long advocated on the Prairies.
They include: appropriate planing and design, soil improvement, efficient irrigation, practical turf areas,
appropriate plant selection, use of mulches, and maintenance.
Most Prairies gardeners have been using some or all of the xeriscape principles for years simply
because it made common sense to do so. The word is what's new (except to the Greeks). The
principles and practice are not.
The benefits of xeriscape are many. Reduced water consumption is environmentally as well as
financially friendly. And, like it or not, in the future, the water supply we now take for granted simply
may not be available. The xeriscape principles such as design, mulching, and efficient irrigation also
reduce landscape maintenance. The xeriscape principle of appropriate plant selection has the added
benefit of reducing fertilizer and pesticide use.
In this article and the next, we will deal with two crucial principles of xeriscape landscaping: planning
and design and soil improvement.
Planning and Design
Grouping: An important principle of xeriscape design is to group plants with similar water needs
together in beds rather than planting individual trees and shrubs here, there, and everywhere in a
"scattergun" fashion. Grouping allows them to be watered as required, with little wastage,. The
irrigation system can then be zoned according to plant needs, as we will explain later.
Plants requiring the most water are usually placed grouped together near the house in a "mini-oasis."
The most drought-tolerant plants are positions on the side of the prevailing winds, to the north and
west, so that they will shelter the less tolerant plants.
Grading: Proper grading allows water to soak into the soil and be used by plants rather than being
allowed to run off. Slopes are either changed or terraced. Plants with the greatest need for water are
placed in areas where grading has provided the most water. Because they dry out more quickly, the
use of raised beds is not encouraged.
Soil Improvement
Both clay soils and sandy soils can be improved to promote water percolation and retention. The first
step is a soil test. This is available through the Saskatchewan Soils Testing laboratory, General
Purpose Building, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W0, phone: 966-
6890). There is a charge for this service. Instructions on how to sample soil are given.
Sand: A soil which is predominantly sandy drains easily and quickly after a rain, is easily worked, and
warms up quickly in the spring. But they have a low moisture-holding capacity and therefore must be
watered more frequently. They also have a low nutrient-holding capacity and must be fertilized more
often. When vegetative cover is lacking, they are subject to wind and water erosion.
Clay: Clay soils have very small particles and are capable of holding a great deal of water. Under rainy
conditions or heavy irrigation, they often lack oxygen. All plant cells need oxygen, and if clay soils are
water-logged, plants will suffer. The poor drainage of clay-type soils is a definite disadvantage. They
often warm up very slowly in the spring. This characteristics can mean a delay of a few weeks in
planting seeds in a vegetable garden or setting out annual bedding plants, in effect shortening an
already limited Prairies growing season by several weeks.
How can these soils be improved? Both sandy and clay soils can be enormously improved by the
generous addition of organic matter. Organic matter can consist of compost, well-rotted manure, or
peatmoss. Spread a layer of organic matter 7.6-10 cm (3-4 in.) thick on the surface of the soil to be
improved and then throughly incorporate the organic matter into the existing soil. Allowing the original
soil and the organic matter to remain layered will result in poor water percolation, excessive run-off,
and poor plant growth.

Sustainable horticultural information, offered free of charge

to the public with the support of the University of
Saskatchewan Extension Division, the Department of Plant
Sciences and the Provincial Government.