Mulch is a layer of material covering the soil that conserves water by reducing evaporation. It also reduces weeds and soil compaction while keeping soil temperatures moderate. Appropriate mulches should be used wherever possible. A well-designed xeriscape requires less maintenance through reduced watering, mowing, and mulch applications using efficient irrigation techniques. When planning a xeriscape, the seven principles of planning, soil analysis, appropriate plant selection, practical turf areas, efficient irrigation, mulches, and appropriate maintenance should be followed to significantly decrease water use.

1. Use of Mulches
Mulch is a layer of nonliving material
covering the soil surface around
the plants. It can be organic, such
as pine bark, compost, and
woodchips, or inorganic, such as
lava rock or permeable plastic (not
sheet plastic). A good mulch
conserves water by significantly Further Information
reducing evaporation from the
soil. Mulch also reduces weed Clemson University
populations, prevents soil maintains a Xeriscape™
compaction, and keeps soil garden at the South
temperatures more moderate. Carolina Botanical Garden,
Use mulches wherever possible. which is located at 102
Garden Trail, Clemson
Appropriate Maintenance University, Clemson,
South Carolina. Additional
The added benefit of a xeriscape™ information is available
landscape is that it typically from the website for the
requires less maintenance. A South Carolina Botanical
well-designed landscape can Garden at Spartanburg Water installed a
decrease maintenance by as much xeriscape™ (zeer-i-skayp) garden
www.clemson.edu/scbg
as 50% through reduced mowing in 2003 at the Commerce Street
and mulch applications and more location. Xeriscaping™, a word
efficient watering techniques. coined by combining xeros (Greek
Preserve the beauty of your for “dry”) with landscaping, is a
landscape and maintain the water water-conservative approach to
conservation design by pruning, landscaping. Plants whose cultural
weeding, using proper fertilization requirements are appropriate to
and pest control, and making the local climate are emphasized,
irrigation system adjustments.
Spartanburg Water
P.O. Box 251
Spartanburg, SC 29304
Phone: 864-583-7361
Fax: 864-583-3427
www.spartanburgwater.org

2. and care is taken to avoid wasting water to
Soil Analysis & Preparation Appropriate Plant Selection
evaporation and run-off. This garden incor-
porates the seven basic principles which lead Soil preparation is essential to ensure that plant It is important to select trees, shrubs, and
to saving water: health is maintained. If possible, have a pH test ground covers based on their adaptability
through the local county extension office to de- to the region’s soil and climate. A
• Planning and Design
xeriscape™ garden does not need to be
termine if soil amendments are necessary. To
• Soil and Analysis increase the ability of the soil to absorb and cactus or rock gardens. Utilizing many
store water, add organic matter such as peat native plants into your landscape will
• Practical Turf Areas moss and till it into the soil. Incorporating the lower water demands and reduce pest
organic matter is not necessary for trees or for problems and fertilizer requirements.
• Appropriate Plant Selection
large turfgrass areas Many local nurseries carry a variety of
• Efficient Irrigation native plants or plants that easily adapt to
the South Carolina climate.
• Use of Mulches Practical Turf Areas
• Appropriate Maintenance When you select a turfgrass for your landscape, con-
Efficient Irrigation
sider the amount of water necessary to maintain
These principles, when combined, create a
it. Evaluate the intended use, planting location, Much of the tremendous amount of water
comprehensive approach to landscaping for
and maintenance requirements before finalizing applied to lawns and gardens is never
water conservation. A traditional landscape
may incorporate one or two principles of wa- your choice. Planting the lowest water use turf absorbed by the plants and put to use.
ter conservation, but a xeriscape™ garden grass adapted to the region is an effective way to Water is lost to runoff if it is applied too
will utilize the entire concept to reduce land- reduce landscape irrigation requirements. To rapidly, and it evaporates in exposed,
scape water effectively. significantly reduce water use, it may be neces- unmulched soil. The greatest waste of
sary to reduce the size of water-sensitive lawns water is applying too much too often.
through the use of patios, decks, shrub beds, and Sprinkler irrigation is the most commonly
How Do I Begin? groundcovers. used method of landscape watering. If you
have a permanent sprinkler system, make
sure the sprinkler heads are adjusted
properly to avoid watering sidewalks and
To plant a xeriscape™ garden you incorpo-
rate the seven principles by: driveways. A properly adjusted sprinkler
head sprays large droplets instead of a fog
of fine mist, which is more susceptible to
Starting With A Plan evaporation and wind drift. Water
To plan for efficient water use, begin with a between late evening and mid-morning to
landscape design for your yard. It can be avoid excessive waste due to rapid
created by a landscape designer, a nursery evaporation.
man, a county extension agent, a local land- Drip irrigation can be utilized in garden
scape architect, or you. The design should
beds to increase water efficiency. It
consider the budget, appearance, function,
applies water where it is needed and
maintenance, and water requirements. Re-
member that a plan can be completed in one minimizes runoff and evaporation.
season or installed gradually over many
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