You may hear the word “lawn” and think of
green grass, trees, bushes and fl owers. In
fact, many people have been conditioned
to believe that the only good yard is a green yard.
That’s why it comes as a shock to many to see
rocks or gravel where the grass should be, but
that’s what xeriscaping is all about. The concept is
about working with the environment to minimize
fertilizers and pesticides, and adapting to a new
way of looking at what a yard should be.
Many who think of a xeriscaped yard picture a
fl at, barren wasteland with unkempt weed
masses, but a yard without grass isn’t necessarily
unsightly. The true ugliness of a traditional Florida
lawn lies under the soil, where fertilizer and other
nasty lawn-enhancing chemicals lurk, waiting to
be washed into the ocean. With xeriscaping,
environmental damage doesn’t have to be the
cost of a nicely-kept lawn.
Xeriscaping is a landscaping technique used to
conserve water, utilizing creative and attractive
ways to replace grass lawns with native trees and
plants ... and no grass.
In the 1980s Denver, Colorado was hit with a
drought, and the idea of a water-conscious yard
was spurred. Xeriscaped yards, consisting of rock
material and native plant combinations, began
popping up, producing a beautiful blend of colors.
By Olivia Cameron
Photos by Olivia Cameron
and provided
With the opportunity to save more than half
the water used on a typical lawn, this method is
a proven way to save on your water bill and to
conserve water in general.
Some people may think the look of a
xeriscaped layout is inferior to lush, green grass,
but it all depends on the design. A grassless
landscape is not “taking the easy way out.” There’s
much more to the creative process than meets
the eye. Xeriscaping can create an eye-catching
pattern, and can provide a lot of very unique
options.
Brandon Riker, the owner of Homegrown
Landscaping in Boca Grande, discussed the
planning behind a xeriscaped lawn or garden. He
admitted there is room for creativity, but
communication is key when a homeowner works
alongside a landscaping company.
“When we do custom xeriscaped landscaping,
customers need to be much more involved
in the design process,” he said.
To create your own xeriscaping plan, the best
place to start is, believe it or not, with a base of
dead grass. When your crispy, brown grass has
seen better days, rip it from the ground and dig
down to the soil.