Xeriscape

Water Conservation

 

Get to the root of water conservation--try it in your own yard. It could help you avoid getting soaked when it comes to your summer water bill.

 

XeriscapeTM Landscaping

Although millions of gallons of water pass through Moorhead's Water Treatment Plant each day, very little is used on the landscape that surrounds the building. The water-efficient landscape, called Xeriscape™ (zeer' iss cape), helps conserve water and energy. The "un-thirsty" landscape relies mainly on nature's rainfall.

Water use in a typical Moorhead home jumps more than 200 percent in the summer. Xeriscape™ conserves water through creative landscaping techniques. But a Xeriscape™ does not have to be created using only cacti and rocks. In our climate, Xeriscape™ is usually created by grouping plants according to how much water they use and by planting species that are water-efficient and native to our region. Some of the benefits of a Xeriscape™ include:

  • An attractive and functional yard
  • Less time and money spent on maintenance
  • Less water, fertilizer, fuel, and chemical use
  • Saving on your summer water bill
  • Reduced impact of drought

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF XERISCAPE™

  1. Plan & design. Start with a scaled drawing of your site that shows plants and structures. Add information about soil, drainage, sun, and shade. Consider future needs for play and entertainment areas. Develop a master plan and planting design.
  2. Limit lawn areas. Restrict lawn areas to high-use, practical areas and select drought-tolerant grasses such as blue grama and Buffalo grass. Consider using shrubs, ground covers, and wildflowers instead of turf.
  3. Use an efficient watering system. Even un-thirsty landscapes need a drink sometimes. Choose water-efficient irrigation such as low-volume, low-angle heads, and drip systems.
  4. Improve the soil. Plants will not grow without a good home, so collect a sample and have it tested to find out the nutrient content, pH level, and other information. Tests are available at the NDSU Soil Science Testing Lab, Waldron Hall, Fargo, ND 58105. There is a charge for testing. If the tests show that the soil texture, nutrient level, or moisture-holding capacity needs improvement, seek advice from either your local nursery or Extension Service.
  5. Use water-efficient plants. When planting, keep in mind what size the plants will be when they mature and how they will fit in with the rest of your landscape. To learn more about which species are water-efficient, click here for a free copy of the XeriscapeTM plant list. Your local Extension Service or nursery may also have suggestions about which un-thirsty plants you might want to use.
  6. Add mulches. Use mulches (wood chips, leaves, grass clippings) to reduce water loss, minimize erosion, moderate soil temperature, slow weed growth, and improve the soil. Free wood chips are available to Moorhead residents at the Moorhead Compost Facility on Highway 75 North. Call 299-5465.
  7. Follow a maintenance program. Like any living thing, a XeriscapeTM needs a little attention. Check trees and shrubs yearly for pruning and eliminate pests, weeds, and diseases. Some plants may need fertilizer. Cut any grassy areas, trimming off no more than one-third of the blade, and leave the clippings on the lawn.

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