The principles of Xeriscape gardening
To create your own Xeriscape garden, simply follow these seven principles:
1 Plan your design
Practical design in Xeriscape gardening should incorporate:
- the layout of the garden and entertainment areas
- the need for lawn areas — less lawn means less maintenance
Install a suitable irrigation system to suit your needs, and possible water restrictoins. If you've got an existing garden, you can reduce the amount of lawn by converting it into mulched garden beds, increasing the amount of paved areas, or by using rocks and gravel.
2 Work with your soil
Canberra has poor soil quality in most areas, with high levels of clay and silt and low levels of organic matter. This means the soil becomes easily compacted, is hard to work and has poor drainage. To improve soil quality and drainage, add organic material such as compost, aged manure and/or aged sawdust. Digging in a layer of sandy loam or applying gypsum dressing will also help loosen up clay-based soil.
3 Choose the right plants for the right places
When planting your Xeriscape garden, group plants together according to their water use. Put high water-use plants together in a low or wet part of the garden to make the best use of drainage. And choose your plants with a purpose in mind, such as shade, privacy, produce or aesthetics.
4 Make your lawn count
The less lawn you have, the lower your water account will be. Plan your lawn areas carefully to balance recreational needs and landscape presentation.
All grasses in Canberra require regular watering and will suffer during dry periods. For green grass all year long, City Parks recommends the Canberra blend — Kentucky Blue Grass mixed with Tall Fescue, Fine Rye and O'Connor Strawberry Clover. Seed packets of the Canberra blend are available at nurseries and garden centres.
5 Water thoughtfully
When and how long you should water your garden will depend on the soil type, type of plants and possible water restrictions. You should water deeply and pick the times of the day when it's cooler, such as early in the morning, in the evening or overnight.
A cyclical watering pattern is recommended. Ideally you should water your garden for 10 minutes or until runoff occurs. Leave it for two hours and then water again for 10 minutes. The frequency of watering should be determined by rainfall pattern. Avoid watering in strong winds and use a tap-timer for consistent watering times. Of course if water restrictions are in place, any watering must comply with the restrictions.
6 Mulch matters
There are many benefits to using mulch. It reduces evaporation and runoff, suppresses weed growth and keeps soil cool in summer. Using mulch also allows better water penetration and creates an attractive landscape.
The most commonly used mulches are pine bark, woodchips, shavings, straw, leaves and pebbles. You should lay mulch 100mm deep and keep it away from plant stems. Make sure you remove weeds before laying mulch. Don't use black plastic to stop weed growth as it prevents soil aeration. Water the base of the plant and not the mulched soil.
7 Keep at it
Once your Xeriscape garden is complete, you need to maintain it properly. Weeding, pruning, and following the previously recommended watering practices will help you reduce water demand for your garden. And it will keep it looking as good as it did the day it was finished.