samedi 26 mars 2016

How To Xeriscape Sacramento CA

By Rebecca Young


The most populous state in the United States is California, situated on the west coast and bordering on the Pacific Ocean. California is special in that all seven types of ecosystems are represented here. There are three major classes: freshwater, terrestrial and oceanic. These are further broken down into tropical rain forest, savannah, desert, temperate grassland, deciduous forest, coniferous forest, and tundra. Xeriscape sacramento CA is a type of landscape that reduces the dependence on artificial irrigation. This type of landscape is useful not just in desert areas; California is subject to long periods of extreme drought.

You can think of xeriscaping is involving seven fundamental precepts. The first is water conservation. This involves taking into account the natural drainage patterns, areas of the garden that are exposed to the most sunlight and shade and during what hours, and selecting plants that thrive in the absence of abundant amounts of water.

The second area of critical importance is soil conditioning. The right compost will allow for adequate drainage and good moisture retention. This can be achieved by having a high proportion of organic material and keeping the plot well aerated. Keep the area of the yard that is devoted to lawn down to a minimum. Grass is voraciously thirsty. Ask your local nursery experts what types of lawns are good water-savers in your neighborhood.

Naturally, you need to select the right plants to survive long periods without water. For some reason, those with silvery-grey, fuzzy leaves seem to have a good chance of survival. Take a good, long look at other peoples' gardens and see what plants are native to the area. If you are moving from another ecosystem and have a plant that you have your heart set on, ask at your local garden center if there is something similar that would fit in more naturally.

There are four classes of drought-resistant plants: flowers, trees and shrubs, ornamental grasses and succulents. Examples of suitable flowers are perennials such as Baby's Breath, Gaillardia, and lavender; drought-resistant annual flowers include Phlox, Rose Campion, Cosmos, Marigold, and Zinnias. Acacia, Eucalyptus, Common Olive, and White Poplar are some suggestions for trees, while Honeysuckle, Heather, and California Lilac are suitable shrubs.

The list of hardy succulents is impressive and includes Dudleya brittonii, Sedum adolphii, and Crassula falcata, among others. Another important principle in xeriscaping is to choose plants that are low-maintenance. The ornamental grasses are brilliant for this. Note that there are different growth patterns, clumping or running. Some thrive better during the colder seasons while others are happier during the warmer months of the year. Aim for a selection of both to get good coverage year-round.

Another important principle is mulching. Mulch is a material like redwood chips that you place over the surface of the soil. This conserves water as well as improves the general health and fertility of the soil. It is also handy for controlling weed growth.

The final principle of xeriscaping is irrigation. Aim for systems like soaker hoses or drip-irrigation that deliver moisture right to the base of the plants to reduce evaporative loss. Watering deeply means not having to water often.




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