This document provides an introduction to xeriscaping. It defines xeriscaping as water-efficient landscaping using native or drought-tolerant plants that requires minimal water and maintenance. It discusses how xeriscaping can help conserve water, which is important in the southwestern US due to factors like drought, decreasing water supplies, and increasing demand. The document outlines the principles of xeriscaping and lists benefits like reduced water and maintenance costs compared to traditional lawns. It provides examples of xeriscaping and discusses how landscape design, soil improvement, plant selection, efficient irrigation, mulching, and maintenance can help create an attractive xeric garden.

1. Xeriscaping at Home ™
A Class Prepared for San Juan College
Encore Program – May 1, 2008
Daniel Smeal M S
Smeal, M.S.
College Professor
New Mexico State University
Agricultural Science Center
dsmeal@nmsu.edu
@

2. Introduction
Module 1

3. What is Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping?
‘xeros’ – from the Greek word for ‘dry’
xeros’ ‘dry’
dry
scape – vista
XeriscapeTM = Trademark of Denver Water
Water-
Water-efficient landscaping that’s appropriate to the
that s
natural environment.

4. Xeriscaping is not ‘zero’scaping.
‘zero’scaping.
zero scaping
scaping.

5. Nor is it a Cactus Garden

6. Not a New Mexico Xeriscape ™

7. Example of a northern New Mexico
Xeric Garden!

8. Here’s one at the ASC Farmington
g

9. Xeriscape : ™
Utilizes native plants or plants that are native to a
similar environment.
Requires minimal supplemental water or other
inputs (i.e. fertilizer, pesticides, maintenance, etc.)
p ,p , , etc.)
)
Is aesthetically pleasing and functional:
functional:
Provides color, pleasant odors, artistic interest, etc.
Provides screen, windbreak, shade
Provides food (human and/or wildlife)
wildlife)
• Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, birds, etc.
hummingbirds, butterflies,

10. Water Conservation?
Why the
Wh th concern? ?

11. Decreasing (or unreliable)
Water Supplies

12. Severe drought can change water availability quickly!
Lake Mead - March 7, 2000, elevation 370 m
7 2000
Same view - April 11, 2002, elevation 356 m
Photos provided by Doug Bennett - SNWA

13. Elephant Butte Reservoir
(3/4/05)

14. Navajo Lake – a few years ago

15. Increasing Water Demand
c eas g a e e a d

16. NM Population Figures
City or State Population % Increase
1980 2003
Alamogordo 24,024 35,551 48.0
Albuquerque
q q 331,767
, 471,856
, 42.2
Farmington 31,222 41,420 32.7
Las Cruces 45,086 76,990 70.8
Rio Rancho 9,985 58,981 490.7
Roswell 39,676 44,228 11.5
Santa Fe 48,953 66,476 35.8
State 1,302,894 1,874,614 43.9

17. Competing Water User’s
in the Four Corners

18. Agriculture

19. Energy

20. Endangered Species

21. Recreation

22. Municipalities
Aztec, Bloomfield, Farmington, Flora Vista,
Farmington,
Kirtland, Shiprock, etc.
Shiprock,
Albuquerque
(via the San Juan Chama Diversion)
Diversion)
Gallup and Navajo Nation
(via N
i Navajo/Gallup pipeline)
j /G ll i li )

23. Increasing Costs
g

24. Farmington Water Costs
Monthly Water Rate Sc edu e (Cos pe 1000
o y a e a e Schedule (Cost per 000
gallons)
Single Family Residence
g y
Monthly Usage 2008 2009 2010 2011
(g
(gallons)
)
0 to 7000 1.54 1.71 1.89 2.09
7000 to 20,000 1.93 2.14 2.36 2.61
20,000 to 40,000 2.41 2.67 2.95 3.26
> 40 000
40,000 3.62
3 62 4.01
4 01 4.43
4 43 4.90
4 90

25. Water-
Water-Use and Cost Comparison
™
Xeriscape vs. Cool Season Turf*
p
per 1000 sq ft area (20 x 50) in 2010
Cool Season Turfgrass (i.e. K. bluegrass, fescue)
35 to 40 inches per year = 22 to 25 gals. per sq. foot**
foot**
= 22 000 to 25,000 gallons @ $2 9 /1000 = $6 - $ / .
22,000 2 000 ll $2
$2.95/1000 $65 $75/mo
2.95/1000
Xeriscape (50, 3-ft diameter plants per 1000 sq ft)
3-
70 gallons per plant = 3 500 gallons @ $1 89/1000
3,500 $1
$1.89/1000
1.89/1000
= less than $7/mo.
$7/mo.
*Based on research conducted at the NMSU ASC Farmington, NM
**It
**It takes 0.62 gallons of water to cover a 1 sq. ft. area to a depth of
1 inch
inch.

26. Other Xeriscape™ Benefits
(compared to turf or exotic plants)
Lower maintenance costs.
costs.
Enhanced real estate value.
E h d l t t value.
l
Useful products (edible, decorative, medicinal, etc.).
Increased survivability (less disease, drought stress).
Reduced use of petroleum products, fertilizers, and
R d d f t l d t f tili d
toxic chemicals.
chemicals.
Enhanced urban wildlife h bi (bi d b
E h d b ildlif habitat (birds, butterflies, etc.).
fli )
Year-
Year-round visual interest (flowers and wildlife).
Improved environment (i.e. no mower exhaust).

27. Principles of Xeriscape ™

28. 7 Principles of Xeriscape ™
Plan and design
Improve soil with amendments
I il ith d t
Reduce lawn areas
Use plants appropriate for the conditions and
group according to water and environmental
needs
Irrigate efficiently
Use appropriate mulch
Maintain your landscape

29. My Opinion
The most important human quality or virtue
involved in establishing a Xeriscape™ :

30. End of Module 1
INTRODUCTION