An End to Grass
Reading the latest article about a potential water shortage (seems like there's an article about this every few months), it makes me wo...
http://www.menifee247.com/2007/12/end-to-grass.htm
Reading the latest article about a potential water shortage (seems like there's an article about this every few months), it makes me wonder why county and city planning departments don't place requirements on home builders to put in xeriscaping.Xeriscaping is landscaping using drought tolerant plants, namely flora native to our area. It also involves using drip irrigation where water lines drip under the soil, instead of sprinkling on top of it.
You drive through all the neighborhoods around Menifee, Murrieta, Temecula, and all you see are lush lawns, and you know everyone is using 50% of their water consumption for their grass.
I have grass in my front yard too, so I'm not yelling too loudly. But I'm at a point where I need something that will cut my utility bills down, and water is one of them.
So the big question is, how do we create a front and back yard that doesn't use grass, but still looks awesome, and still keeps the weeds down?
The Western Municipal Water District, which serves the City of Riverside, has a one acre "demonstration garden" showing you what kinds of plants, ground cover, and shrubs you can use to create a great looking, but low water garden.
It is located at the district's office at 450 E. Alessandro Boulevard in Riverside, California. They'll let you wander in and take a self-guided tour.
You can learn more about their demonstration garden here...
http://www.wmwd.com/landscape.htm
This looks like a good idea.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great idea. It just takes one person in the neighborhood to install these "native" or "California Friendly" plants in place of their yard, then the rest of the neighborhood would catch on. Basically, it's easier said then done. Any takers???
ReplyDeleteI tried to do this when I moved into my new home. I have a cd with the information. The problem is non of the nurseries (home depo and lowes included) carry any of the plants. They carry the popular plants which take water. I never could find the plants specfied by the center and or on their disk
ReplyDeleteI didn't mean to make it sound as if xeriscaping required the use of native plants. There are many that fit into our area quite well: Purple Sage (Texas Ranger), California Lilac, African Daisies (Osteospermum), Crepe Myrtle, Manzanita (as trees or shrubs).
ReplyDeleteI think Las Pilitas Nursery carries all of these, and all of the native species too. They're in or near Escondido.
In my old house on Painted Desert Drive, the front piece of property was completely xeriscaped with Mediterranean plants, not to mention the Palo Verde tree. Very beautiful everything was until the new owners ripped everything out to replace with a dying lawn. With water conservation on the mind in our new house, we installed a Spanish-style courtyard in the front yard with low-water Mediterranean plants that were purchased at local nurseries (including Lowes). The backyard is more Mediterranean fauna with a pool-no grass to water or maintain. Google water wise plants for socal, you will get a bunch of hits.
ReplyDeleteXeriscaping is certainly the way to go. Less water, less time...
ReplyDeleteMy front lawn is going to be 90% xeriscaped plants, with 10% clover lawn. No fertilizing or mowing!