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Independence, MO —
Last week, I wrote about a specific type of landscaping called xeriscaping. This landscaping technique is unique not only as it considers the lay of the land, drainage, soil type, plant materials and maintenance as many landscaping plans do, but it also considers the effects on the environment, wildlife and its resources.
There are many benefits to xeriscaping including it is low maintenance and reduces the use of water, all while attracting wildlife to your yard. Because xeriscaping uses native plants, there is no need for fertilizers or pesticides, and your low maintenance landscape improves your property value. In the first part of a three part series, I covered the first two of the seven main points of xeriscaping, planning/design and soil improvement. This is the second part covering, appropriate plant selection and practical turf areas.
Appropriate plant selection: As you are writing your plan and looking at the design of your yard, decide which plants you would like to keep and which need to go. By now, you have already determined which parts of your yard are dry, moist and/or wet, and those that are in full sun, partial shade and shade. There may be some plants that you would like to keep, but may need to move to a different, more efficient, placement in the landscape. But wait, do not move anything yet; first ensure your current plants are all in the proper place according to sun and soil requirements. If not, put them where they should go and then determine a comprehensive native plant list for your new design using the same sun and soil requirements above.
There are many good sources of native plants with regional genotypes. Genotype means they were born and raised from the area and these Midwestern temperatures and climate changes are built into their cells. All of that is very important when you have roots firmly planted – so to speak. So, when choosing native plants ensure you are dealing with a reputable dealer who can tell you where the seeds came from and that the plants were not dug from the wild.
Because the Midwest is inclined to have periods of drought, choose native plants that are tolerant of drought. Even native plants may turn brown; this is because they are restricting the water needed to keep them alive. Once water is replenished, they will green up again. Also, don’t be fooled into thinking that because native plants are drought tolerant they do not need any water. Of course, plants will thrive better when watered during drought; native plants just do not need as much as other plants.
Last week, I wrote about a specific type of landscaping called xeriscaping. This landscaping technique is unique not only as it considers the lay of the land, drainage, soil type, plant materials and maintenance as many landscaping plans do, but it also considers the effects on the environment, wildlife and its resources.
There are many benefits to xeriscaping including it is low maintenance and reduces the use of water, all while attracting wildlife to your yard. Because xeriscaping uses native plants, there is no need for fertilizers or pesticides, and your low maintenance landscape improves your property value. In the first part of a three part series, I covered the first two of the seven main points of xeriscaping, planning/design and soil improvement. This is the second part covering, appropriate plant selection and practical turf areas.
Appropriate plant selection: As you are writing your plan and looking at the design of your yard, decide which plants you would like to keep and which need to go. By now, you have already determined which parts of your yard are dry, moist and/or wet, and those that are in full sun, partial shade and shade. There may be some plants that you would like to keep, but may need to move to a different, more efficient, placement in the landscape. But wait, do not move anything yet; first ensure your current plants are all in the proper place according to sun and soil requirements. If not, put them where they should go and then determine a comprehensive native plant list for your new design using the same sun and soil requirements above.
There are many good sources of native plants with regional genotypes. Genotype means they were born and raised from the area and these Midwestern temperatures and climate changes are built into their cells. All of that is very important when you have roots firmly planted – so to speak. So, when choosing native plants ensure you are dealing with a reputable dealer who can tell you where the seeds came from and that the plants were not dug from the wild.
Because the Midwest is inclined to have periods of drought, choose native plants that are tolerant of drought. Even native plants may turn brown; this is because they are restricting the water needed to keep them alive. Once water is replenished, they will green up again. Also, don’t be fooled into thinking that because native plants are drought tolerant they do not need any water. Of course, plants will thrive better when watered during drought; native plants just do not need as much as other plants.
Once you have your plant list identified for each part of your yard, go back and move any current plants you already have, but are in the wrong place. Group plants according to watering needs, making watering more efficient.
Think of driving near hilly agricultural land – the land is often terraced, reducing water from running straight down the hill. If you live on hilly or sloped land, you too can build small terraces and plant gardens on these. The plants keep the soil in place and the terracing will help keep the water from draining straight down the slope; both save soil and water resources.
Plants can be expensive, so you may need to decide which parts of your yard, or parts of your design, are the most important to you to get finished first; those would be phase one. Then continue with the next phases of the plan according to your budget.
Practical turf areas: Some people have large lawn areas they either do not need any longer, or wish they did not have. Large lawns are expensive to maintain with mowing and watering, and they take a toll on the environment. There are several choices of grasses that can aid in lowering maintenance of lawns.
The size and use of the lawn and the owner’s wishes are the key of how to handle turf areas. The grass of lawns that are the size of a few acres or even more than a half-acre can be reduced by putting most of the area into native grasses. Little bluestem, switch grass, broom sedge and other small grasses are all beautiful grasses. They average about three feet tall and are quite showy in the fall with colors of yellows, oranges and reds. They can even be baled for income, as a healthy livestock feed, or for personal use in gardens, as mulch, or for decorations.
Large areas with full sun can also be planted with buffalo grass. This grass is expensive to establish, but the wonderful thing is that buffalo grass grows to be only six inches tall. So, you could get away with never mowing! It is a beautiful grass with long silky fine blue-green blades.
This is the second in a three-part series on xeriscaping. Next week will be, efficient irrigation, use of mulches, and appropriate maintenance.
It really is a rewarding way to landscape for a beautiful yard while reducing your labor and your water bill; all while attracting wildlife and protecting the environment! Now that is what I call going GREEN! Happy trails!
There are several websites that give more information about xeriscaping and native plants, these include:
www.Eartheasy.com
www.Xeriscape.sustainablesources.com
www.the-landscape-design-site.com/xeriscaping.html
Native Plants:
Hamilton Seed Company
www.hamiltonseed.com/
Kansas Native Plant Society
www.kansasnativeplantsociety.org/plant_seed_sources.php
Missouri Native Plant Society
www.missourinativeplantsociety.org/
Missouri Wildflower Nursery
www.mowildflowers.net/
Prairie & Wetland Center
www.critsite.com/
Sharp Seed Company
www.sharpseed.com/
