Xeriscaping for New England

So you have high water bills? Would you like to lower those bills? This can be done during peak watering times and still maintain a beautiful garden. How so? With Xeriscaping.

This is not a new form of gardening, just the name is new to New England. The word is a derivative of xerophytes and landscaping. Xerophytes are a group of plants that are adapted to a limited amount of water supply and store water better. This may sound like a lot to accept, but with a little practice, patience and common sense your garden will be the talk of all who pass by. 

Given the reality of increasing water costs and limited water supply due to dry winters or whatever the reason, it makes sense to let Mother Nature help in achieving a once costly task to keep everything green and alive. The gardening practice of environments of the southwest and west coast can be adapted to New England and the good news is it can be done with local native species.  This form of gardening has a proven record of success in those arid regions with high water costs. 

It is relatively simple to have a natural landscape with low maintenance costs and still have the proper flow within the garden of color, form and texture. This, according to Garden Gate (June 1996), is done by seven simple steps.

1. Make a plan of the yard and indicate light, shading and slope habits. Then mark the area of desired garden by water habits of each garden i.e.; very-low, moderate water habits and areas requiring heavier water habits.  These areas should be kept small and close to the water source.
2. Working the soil for this area has a great impact on the plants health, so the soil should be nutrient-rich and hold water adequately, but not soggy.  The drainage of the soil is very important. The soil can be improved by working in humus, compost, clay and manure until the soil is rich and has good water retention without being soggy (who wants soggy roots?!).  This will ensure less bugs and insects are present over time, and less fertilizer is needed.
3. Reduce or replace lawn (if desired) although this goes against the American culture of rich, green lawns. Serious thought must be taken if water bill costs exceed the desired benefits of the lawn. The possible choice is a smaller section of lawn with multiple gardens laid out into a path, to stroll and enjoy. 
4. Plants of beauty and durability are listed below by categories of trees, shrubs, perennials, groundcover, grasses, ferns and vines. Each category is grouped by size and includes color, bloom time and fragrance and water habits, if applicable. 
5. Save your back! low maintenance is the solution to every gardener’s chronic problem. The introduction of new gadgets on the market help, but the back is very vulnerable. The solution is to create gardens that require lower maintenance and still have beauty. This allows the natural ecosystem of the plant community to adjust themselves by filling in dying plants as new plants move in. The garden is self-sustaining within its community.
6. Mulch has many advantages to the xeriscape. The moisture will be retained by the soil and not lost to transpiration to the air. In warmer climates, mulch reduces water loss and in colder climates it will protect the plants. The weeds will be kept down, so less weeding is needed. As time passes the mulch will decay into the soil and helps build the soil.  There are many types of mulch: shredded leaves, ground bark, stones and fabric (weed barrier). The acidity of some mulches must be checked for desired plants. Some mulches are higher in acidity than others, a word of advice, according to Garden Gate, is to move the mulch away from the base of plants by a few inches in the summer. 
7. Thrifty irrigation and timing of watering is important. Even with proper layout, some watering is required. The rule is to water when less evaporation is lost from the plants. This is done by watering at sunrise or sunset. The general rule to tell if plants are in need of water is to plant indicator plants that wilt when water is needed. The best plant for this is ferns. There are four water-efficient systems on the market or available in your own home. The conventional oscillating sprinklers lose 50% of what is dispensed through evaporation. The amount of adequate amount of water is one inch per week, as a rule of thumb. 
8. Drip irrigation will distribute water to the plant roots in the most efficient way to water when rain is scarce. This can be done with modified plastic milk jugs. This is done by punching a hole in the bottom and sinking them into the soil next to the plant and fill as needed. The other method is using perforated plastic hoses with fittings and timers. The more refined the system, the more efficient it works. 
9. The old fashioned reservoirs “cisterns” that our ancestors have used is a system that captures rainwater runoff. This is well suited for the garden, but not suitable for drinking water. The water is channeled from downspouts into drums, buckets or other holding tanks. 
10. The use of “gray water” from household wastewater (bath showers, sinks and tubs) are great source of nitrogen and phosphorous. These nutrients are lacking in sandy soils. The water must be used immediately and never stored. The only question in using this system is to check with your local town or city officials to determine if this is legal in your area. This water is not for vegetable gardens.
11. The method used on golf courses and many municipal landscapers and a few gardeners is by adding absorbents. These polymer water absorbents have been on the market for approximately 15 years. The polymer works much like clay. The polymer particles become gelatinous when wet, and can hold 10 to 500 times their weigh in water. The liquid polymers will biodegrade completely in five to ten years, according to the distributors.  The use of this product will double the holding capacity of the soil and often double the root mass of the plants. This also reduces the transpiration in plants and will improve germination. 

The cost savings of this method are worth the little patience and time spent to achieve a native, low-watering garden. The natural garden will also be enjoyed by birds and butterflies. The labor saved (and one’s back) will be enjoyed for years to come. The satisfactions of watching the xeriscape garden grow and decorate your yard, is worth the time.

SUGGESTED READING

Foley, Daniel J.. Gardening by the Sea from coast to coast, Pennsylvania, Chilton Book, 1965.

James, Theodore Jr.. Seaside Gardening, New Your: Harry N. Abrams, Inc., 1995.

Mattern, Victoria. “Water Wisdom” Organic Gardening” February 1990: 39-41.

Smittle, Delilah. “Xeriscape” Garden Gate June 1996: 10-13.