Xeriscaping

Environment

Xeriscape Gardening

Xeriscape Is Not "Zeroscape"
The term is pronounced "zair-i-scape" and means "water conservation through creative landscaping." It combines the Greek word "xeros" meaning dry, and "scape" denoting a view.

We all love beautiful surroundings. Xeriscaping is a method of gardening that doesn’t sacrifice beauty to conserve water. In fact, if a landscape isn’t attractive, then it isn’t a xeriscape. The principles of xeriscaping can be applied to any landscape style and can be as plain or elaborate as desired.

Reasons to Xeriscape
The average Canadian uses 326 litres of water per day. The average Kamloops resident uses about 800-850 litres of water per day. In the summer that number rises to 1800 litres of water per person, per day! Eighty percent of the water consumed in the summer is used outdoors to water grass, hose driveways and to wash vehicles.

In addition to using less water, a xeriscape garden requires less weeding, fertilizing, pruning, mowing and pesticides.

Xeriscaping in Kamloops
Kamloops summers are hot and dry, and our winters can be cold. We receive about 21.8 cm (8.5 inches) of rainfall per year. Kelowna receives 29.8 cm (11 inches), while Vancouver receives 155.5 cm (45.5 inches). So, plants that are considered xersicape elsewhere may not be suitable here.

Are You Ready?
By Xeriscaping our individual landscapes, we use water more responsibly. Even if you are not ready to do a complete make over, becoming more knowledgeable and aware of your existing landscape is a start. Here are two simple steps that will make a difference: alter your irrigation to match your plants actual water requirements, and make adjustments to minimize overspray onto hard surfaces.

The Seven Principles of Xeriscaping
These seven interrelated principles are essential to a successful xeriscape. They can be applied to whatever extent you are comfortable with, and can be tailored to suit your property, your objectives, and your resources. In many ways, the following principles are just good gardening practice.

1 Planning and Design
A successful Xeriscape requires a well thought out plan. Identify the conditions that will influence water use, such as sun and wind exposure, and slopes. Plan to group low water using plants together, group high water using plants together, and water them separately.

2 Soil Improvement
Use soil amendments such as compost, peat moss or manure to improve heavy clay or sandy soils, and to help them retain moisture and nutrients.

3 Appropriate Plant Selection
Low water use plants can withstand periods of dryness and high temperatures with minimal irrigation. There are many attractive and hardy flowers and shrubs to choose from, readily available at most garden centres.

4 Practical Turf Areas
You don't have to remove all of your lawn, but consider removing areas of turf that are impractical or difficult to maintains, such as narrow strips or grass on steep slopes.

5 Efficient Irrigation
Apply the amount of water that is required by a plant, with minimal wastage. If you have an automatically controlled irrigation system, adjust the frequency and duration of watering with the changing seasons (at least monthly).

6 Mulches
Mulches are applied to the soil surface to reduce evaporation and to moderate soil temperature. Mulches also help to control weed growth and erosion.

7 Appropriate Maintenance
The amount of maintenance required in a garden is related to the amount of water applied. Over-watering contributes to rapid, weak plant growth, fertilizer leaching, insect and disease problems and weed growth, all of which require maintenance. If water is efficiently applied, and Xeriscape principles are used, less maintenance will be required.

Logo Contact
Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services
955 Concordia Way
Kamloops, BC V2C 6V3
ph (250) 828 3888
fax (250) 828 3640
email healthylandscapes@kamloops.ca

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