Gardening is a hobby that’s gaining a lot of popularity nowadays since many have decided to work from home to avoid illnesses and for practicality, too. If you’ve been thinking about creating your own garden, being aware of the term “xeriscaping” would greatly help you.
Xeriscaping Defined
From the Greek words “xeros” and “scape’, this landscaping philosophy has originated in the late 70s and early 80s. It is a process of using various drought-resistant plants that are arranged in an efficient way to conserve water.
Later on, in 2013, xeriscaping widely spread in all states where drought was experienced, including parks and gardening centers. Some people think it is “zero-scaping” of landscaping with no use of water, while others disapprove of it, thinking that it involves the use of only barren, rocky landscapes and cacti.
On the other hand, most people haven’t heard of the term and are clueless about what it really means. The truth is that xeriscaping allows you to use any native plant in your region. The process results in a very colorful and attractive landscape while decreasing the use of water by up to 60 percent or higher.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Xeriscaping
Aside from the few positive thoughts about xeriscaping mentioned earlier, more benefits await those who try to apply it in their own gardens. Some of those are listed below, together with its known disadvantages.
Advantages:
1. Helps conserve water. Expect your water bill to decrease in the coming months because xeriscaping does not require as much water as in a regular lawn, helping you save more money in the process.
2. Versatility in applying for nearly any location. The process is best done in areas commonly affected by drought. You can start with a small corner before trying it in a bigger portion of your yard.
3. Involves less pruning and maintenance. Plants that are drought-tolerant grow slowly, which means they will require occasional trimming, pruning, and weed whacking, too.
4. Allows various attractive planting choices. As mentioned before, any plant can be used for xeriscaping, so you have a wide range of plants to choose from.
5. Requires little fertilization. Desert plants and shrubs need no fertilizer while also being very resistant to pests and diseases.
6. Helps save landfill space and money. The initial set-up may be a bit expensive. However, once established, a xeriscaped area will bring you more savings for a low-maintenance, drought-surviving garden for a longer time.
Disadvantages:
1. Reduces the vegetation in the yard; it greatly affects the aesthetic appeal of any lawn, making it lose its lush green look.
2. Less physical activities can be done in the yard after replacing the grass with mulch or rock, which is bad news for children and pets.
3. Xeriscaping requires finding native plants, installing a new irrigation system, and uprooting plants and trees, which is costly and time-consuming.
How Pros Get it Done
Commercial and residential landscaping services are best done by experts. The total appearance of your home and business inside and outside are crucial aspects to be aware of. People get an impression from what they see, so their impression depends on how you care for your garden. With Santa Fe Landscape Pros, homeowners and business owners can never go wrong. Our professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for performing a
successful and safe landscaping project. We are trained to help you develop the perfect landscape with the right choice of plants and techniques. A lovely and healthy environment is what we aim for. Give us a call today at 505-375-6901 and hear our expert advice on how to best achieve the landscaping effect you always wanted.
