By Jeanne Yeoman, Nebraska Extension Master Gardener
Xeriscaping is a word originally coined by the Denver Water Department in the 1980s to describe landscaping that conserves water. It does not mean replacing lawns and trees with plastic and gravel. It means using principles that save water, time, and resources. You can use these principles in your landscape:Â
- Create practical turf areas
- Select plants that use less water … and group them accordingly.
- Use compost and other soil amendments if needed
- Use mulches
- Irrigate efficiently
You don’t need to rip out your existing lawn and garden and start all over. Xeriscaping can be a gradual process.