Xeriscaping

If you’re looking to conserve water on your property, consider xeriscaping. Xeriscaping (pronounced zeer-i-scaping) is a type of landscaping that uses smart planning and drought tolerant plants for water-use efficiency.  There are many benefits to xeriscaping including, reducing residential water consumption, preventing waste water, reducing nonpoint source pollution, and reducing your maintenance and water bill. Here are a few tips to get you started on your xeriscaping project…

1. When choosing plants, consider using native species that are adapted to dry conditions. These plants will naturally need less watering.
2. Avoid thin strips of lawn bordered by sidewalks. These thin strips are hard to water effectively and often result in overwatering the lawn and watering of the sidewalk areas.
3. Group plants according to watering needs. Planning specific areas of water-loving plants will prevent overwatering of drought-tolerant plants.
4. Rather than grass, use mulch or rock around your plants. This will reduce the area you need to water while also reducing the area that needs mowed.
5. Use drip irrigation instead of sprinklers to target the specific plants that need water and use a timer to automatically water when it’s cool so less water is lost to evaporation.

For more do-it-yourself conservation tips, check out our blog here.

Additional information on landscaping with native and water-wise plants can be found at the Montana Native Plant Society site here.