The Seven Main Principles of Xeric Gardens

Energy efficiency is the name of the game in the twenty-first century, and one of the most effective and pleasing ways to reduce unnecessary water, fertilizer, and pesticide use is to create a beautiful and draught-proof garden in your backyard. These highly sustainable landscapes are known as xeriscapes in San Diego. They attain their impressive environmental-friendliness levels by prioritizing plants that are native to arid climates and arranging them in a way that enables them to thrive without the need for extensive irrigation. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the underlying philosophy behind xeriscaping by taking a look at the 7 basic principles that are integral to this approach to landscaping. Read on to learn more.

What are the 7 principles of xeriscaping?

There’s more to having a xeric garden than just planting a few cacti in your backyard. It’s actually a fully realized landscaping philosophy that strives to provide long-term benefits for the planet as a whole, without compromising on beautiful landscaping. Here are the 7 principles behind xeriscaping:

1. Evaluate, design, plan

First, you need to get to know your property and determine what your desired final result is. Which soil types and existing plants are present? What’s the drainage and exposure like? Where will the pathways be? Which plants and facilities will be integrated?

2. Treat the soil

Before you can proceed to irrigation, the soil has to be tested and improved. The better the nutrient levels and consistencies in the soil are, the better the oxygen transfer, drainage, and absorption of water will be.

3. Mind the turf areas

Make sure to separate grassy turf areas from flowers, trees, shrubbery, and other plants to make watering easier. Using mulch, alternative grass (blue grama, tall fescue, etc.), or water-efficient groundcovers is a great way to create turf areas.

4. Create hydrozones

Different plants have different watering needs. By grouping them according to these needs and putting them in places that have optimal water drainage and absorption for them, you’ll make it much easier for them to thrive. Needless to say, hydrozoning is crucial when it comes to creating efficient watering schedules.

5. Implement the irrigation system

Incorporating an irrigation system that meets the needs of your plants is vital for the success of a xeric garden. Instead of using a predetermined schedule, this irrigation system should be watering the plants based on their condition, preventing runoff, and encouraging deep rooting by watering deeply rather than frequently.

6. Organic mulches are great

These mulches reduce surface water evaporation and make it infinitely more difficult for weeds to grow. On top of preventing erosion and controlling the temperatures in the soil, mulch also looks gorgeous. Mulch beds are by far the most optimal alternative to large turf areas that need extensive watering.

7. Don’t forget maintenance

Although they don’t have to be maintained nearly as much or as often as other types of landscaping, xeric gardens still need some maintenance occasionally. This includes trimming the plants a few times a year, removing weeds, fertilizing, and more.

Where can I get superb xeriscapes in San Diego?

If all of the above sounds like a massive hassle, that’s because it is. Like all quality landscapes, xeriscapes take quite a bit of skill and effort to set up. However, unlike other non-artificial landscapes, xeric gardens require minimal maintenance and provide huge savings over the long term. As a highly experienced landscaping contractor in San Diego, Pacific Dreamscapes is uniquely equipped to provide you with a full range of landscaping services. Book our service today and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at Pacific Beach while our experts create a stunning xeriscape on your property.