Xerogardening: gardens with little water

What is xeriscaping? The prefix “xero” means dry, and comes from the Greek term “xeros”. Xeriscaping consists of designing and building gardens with low water consumption. The philosophy of this type of garden is based on the efficient use of irrigation water, and is inspired by the beauty of the vegetation of climate regions such as the Mediterranean or the sub-desert. Saving water is not the only objective of xeriscaping. It also has a sustainable philosophy and defends a low cost of resources. It seeks a minimum maintenance of the garden, and for this it proposes to limit the use of phytosanitary products, gradually change the machinery with fossil fuel and implement renewable energies, recycling, and the installation of efficient irrigation systems. Xeriscaping in Spain experienced a period of great expansion in the 1990s. One reason that drove this trend within professional gardening was the severe drought suffered by the Iberian Peninsula for several years. The principles of xeriscaping Xerogardening, according to the National Xeriscape Council of the United States, is based on seven principles, which we see below: Proper planning and design Whenever we want to be successful in a project, we must carry out good planning and develop the best possible design. Landscape design encompasses the evaluation, planning, implementation, and maintenance of urban and rural landscapes. Numerous aspects must be considered, such as: the use that is going to be given to it, the sensation that it wants to convey, the climate of the area, the outdoor plants, and the elements that are going to be incorporated. soil study The soil is a key element to understand the garden. We must the texture and structure of the soil and if necessary make amendments. It is convenient to know the chemical parameters of the soil and it is essential to determine the pH. Samples will be taken from the upper layer and from the subsoil, because root development is different in herbaceous plants and woody plants. This study will make it easier for us to decide on the fertilization and the selection of the most suitable plant species. Proper selection of plant species The selection of plant species is a fundamental principle for the application of xerogardening principles. There are two fundamental criteria for making a good selection. environmental criteria Analyze the sunshine or shade requirements of the species Study the edaphic and water needs of the selected vegetables Consider potential disease and resistance to insect pests Consider the effects of contamination Feasibility of climate adaptation Landscape criteria Know the seasonality of the plant and the colors in each season Choose the size and size of the species. Its growth rate should also be considered to forecast its status for years to come. Favoring the variety of textures between the different selected species will enrich the small ecosystem that we are creating. Reduction of lawn areas Xerogardening seeks to save water and save resources (material and human). For this reason we must minimize the lawn areas, placing them in the areas closest to the accessible elements of the garden in harmony with the environment. A garden that is characterized by low water consumption cannot include large areas of grass. A surface covered with grass, in addition to high water consumption, implies a high maintenance cost. If it has been decided to lay grass in the garden, the choice of turfgrass species with low water demand should be considered and an automated and efficient irrigation system should be installed. Xeriscaping uses efficient irrigation systems Drought is a reality that we appreciate every day, so this principle is very reasonable under the current circumstances. Water becomes more precious every day and xeriscaping uses it very efficiently. The most suitable irrigation systems are microsprinkler, buried drip and aerial drip. In sustainable gardens irrigation with reclaimed water is being implemented. One piece of advice to get the most out of irrigation is to group plant species with similar water needs. You can learn about irrigation systems in depth in our course “Garden Design: Water Criteria and Calculations”. Soil protection by mulching The word “mulcher” in English means shredder and “mulch” refers to what we call mulch in Spanish. This is precisely what this system does, it shreds the cut grass creating a mulch. That is, a layer in the upper part of the soil, formed by the decomposition of organic matter.