Monday, March 28, 2016

Principles Of Xeriscape Sacramento CA

By Rebecca Young


The most populous state in the United States is California, situated on the west coast and bordering on the Pacific Ocean. California is special in that all seven types of ecosystems are represented here. There are three major classes: freshwater, terrestrial and oceanic. These are further broken down into tropical rain forest, savannah, desert, temperate grassland, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, and tundra. Xeriscape sacramento CA is a type of landscape that reduces the dependence on artificial irrigation. This type of landscape is useful not just in desert areas; California is subject to long periods of extreme drought.

You can think of xeriscaping is involving seven fundamental precepts. The first is water conservation. This involves taking into account the natural drainage patterns, areas of the garden that are exposed to the most sunlight and shade and during what hours, and selecting plants that thrive in the absence of abundant amounts of water.

Soil conditioning is another consideration. The right mixture will drain well and still retain water. A high ratio of organic material and keeping the medium well aerated are essential. Keep the amount of lawn to a minimum. Lawns are greedy when it comes to water. The experts at your local nursery will be well-versed on the species of drought-resistant lawn plants that are native to your local area.

Selecting the right types of plants is the fourth maxim of xeriscaping. For some reason, plants that have fuzzy, thick, gray leaves are good choices. Look at other gardens in the immediate area to get an idea of what the best plants are that grow locally. If you have a particular favorite that is not native to the area, it is likely that there is a very similar plant that is.

There are four classes of drought-resistant plants: flowers, trees and shrubs, ornamental grasses and succulents. Examples of suitable flowers are perennials such as Baby's Breath, Gaillardia, and lavender; drought-resistant annual flowers include Phlox, Rose Campion, Cosmos, Marigold, and Zinnias. Acacia, Eucalyptus, Common Olive, and White Poplar are some suggestions for trees, while Honeysuckle, Heather, and California Lilac are suitable shrubs.

As for succulents, there are literally dozens of these that are suitable for dry conditions. These include Aloe vera, Aloe aristata, or Sempervivum. Ornamental grasses, which may have a clumping or a running growth habit, are both drought-resistant and low maintenance. Some suit the cold season, while others like the hot weather. Aim for a mixture of both.

The next principle can be expressed in three words: mulch, mulch, mulch. This is a layer of material that is applied on the surface of the soil. Not only does mulch conserve water, it also improves the overall health and fertility of the soil and reduces the growth of weeds.

The final principle of xeriscaping is irrigation. Aim for systems like soaker hoses or drip-irrigation that deliver moisture right to the base of the plants to reduce evaporative loss. Watering deeply means not having to water often.




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