Xeriscaping in Baton Rouge
One of the most economical and environmentally friendly forms of landscaping is dry landscaping. If you are considering this water-saving practice, be sure to develop a plan in advance. A plan will maximize the effectiveness and eye appeal of your property. Southern Landscapes can help you to create a beautiful garden that protects the local environment and is well-suited to your climate and topography.
How to Design Xeriscaping
Think about how you plan to use the property you will design. You will develop your plan differently depending on whether you want your xeriscape to be something to see and admire, or something that can provide a backdrop for activity. Start your plan with a diagram that depicts your house and other prominent features such as the driveway, patio, and trees. Some other items you should include are spigots, external electrical outlets, and any shrubs or flower beds you plan to keep. It’s important that this diagram be to scale, so make accurate measurements of the dimensions of all the features and plot these on graph paper. With a fully developed plan, you can to begin to decide what kinds of vegetation you can place in which areas of your yard.
Be Eco-Friendly With Less Green
Group the plants you wish to use according to their specific sunlight and water needs. The plants that need the most water should be placed in the lowest areas of the yard, where water collects, or in drainage spots or under rainspouts. Plants with the least water requirements should be put in areas of the yard that have the most exposure to sunlight.
Early Care Is Necessary for Your Xeriscape Project
The plants you acquire from a nursery will need more water than you might expect for the first two years or so. This is because they cannot grow an extensive root system in the pot, and it is this root network that allows many drought resistant plants to survive, as they collect moisture from a wide area. Once the plants become established your property, you can cut back on the irrigation.
The irrigation method that is most effective for a dry landscape is the low pressure system, which brings water right to the root. The water is applied to a single spot and it then soaks into the soil to a deep level. This encourages the roots to grow deep. You may choose to continue this irrigation even after the root system has fully developed, in order to prevent dormancy during hot, dry months and keep the plant blooming and in full foliage.
Make sure your roots have room to grow by testing the soil before planting. A hard clay will be difficult for roots to penetrate.
Southern Landscapes Can Answer Your Xeriscape Questions
Your xeriscape will require regular maintenance, just like any form of landscaping. Watering, weeding, and pruning will be necessary, but dry landscape requires less than traditional landscaping, and will require even less maintenance over time.
Before getting started, let Southern Landscapes advise you on the best plants to grow in Baton Rouge. We want to help you plan for success and a beautiful yard.