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By NIKKI B. GODFREY
With drought-prone stales legislating water conservation and environmentally minded folks in every region realizing how much we abuse Mother Nature, xeriscaping — the art of landscaping in a dry climate — may become the desired gardening method of the ‘lK)s. But maintaining a water-efllcient garden doesn’t have to mean cactus-filled sand beds and no lawns.
Water-efficient gardening can be achieved with attention to such basics as soil type, plant type, use of mulch and shade, irrigation and by recycling rainwater. Obviously, the climate zone you reside in w ill direct much of how you design a garden to be most water efficient. But with a little planning, a garden in any climate zone can increase its water efficiency.
first, know your soil. Sara Jane von Trapp, author of “ The Landscape Doctor” (Chapters), says, for example, clay is a good retainer of moisture, whereas water goes right through sandy soils, which is good for drainage but may require frequent watering unless plants are of the desert succulent variety. Soils can be adjusted to accommodate a variety of plants, but von Trapp recommends working with what you have, instead of facing the task of upgrading and maintaining the soil in an entire yard.
When it comes to choosing water-efficient plants, consider native and droughtresistant varieties. However, von Trapp warns of varying definitions as to what constitutes a native plant.
“Some slates are legislating the planting of only native vegetation, but this is born out of stupidity,” she says. “Plants that came from elsewhere and have thrived in a region for decades may not be considered native.”
The best advice is to look at plants growing in your area'that are doing well, are
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