Tags: andscaping,landscaping, backyard ideas, desert landscaping, desert landscaping backyard ideas, ideas, landscaping,arizona, landscaping,steep, yards,desert
 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 60 ea JIFFY PEAT PELLETS TRAYDOME $11.79 Time Remaining: 6d 22h 31m Buy It Now for only: $11.79 |
 American Girl Addy Gardening Supplies Pleasant Company Retired $49.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 36m |
 240W Red Blue LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Gardening Supplies Indoor $200.99 Time Remaining: 3h 50m Buy It Now for only: $200.99 |
 GRASS SHEARS MADE IN USA GARDENING SUPPLIES GARDEN TOOLS OUTDOORS $2.99 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 33m |
 Seedling Seed Starter tray Gardening Supplies 1200 cells $23.99 Time Remaining: 11d 10h Buy It Now for only: $23.99 |
 Pleasant Company PC American Girl ADDY GARDENING SUPPLIES retired complete set $89.99 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 41m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
Xeriscape, The Desert Garden Solution
To garden in the desert sounds like a paradox. We all know the desert is hot and is known for its extremes. We also know that most deserts get less than ten inches of rainfall annually and that the soil is rocky or desperate for nutrients due to the high content of clay or caliche soil. But despite all these adverse conditions, gardening in the desert states of the Southwest is not impossible. Matter-of-fact, it is an art and though the rules are a little different, you too can take up what is called xeriscaping.
It used to be that before you landscaped your yard, you started off by removing all of the rocks and cactus. But if you are gardening in the desert xeriscape style then you are keeping those rocks and cactus and maybe adding a few more to your yard. This isn’t to say xeriscaping is about making your yard look exactly like the desert around you. It is much more. The desert is full of color and there are numerous plants that thrive in hot climates with very exotic beauty. The idea of xeriscaping is taking all of these beautiful desert flowers that grow around the world and bringing them to your backyard.
The xeriscaping concept is also based on planting plants that survive best in a desert climate. This would be the opposite of trying to make plants that thrive in rainy or cooler climates grow in the desert. In doing this, you not only have to water much more than usual, but it is most likely the plants will not survive the heat. A native desert plant can withstand heat and less water, as their roots are closer to the surface of the ground so they can capture desert rains. They are also less susceptible to disease.
Xeriscape plants not only use less water (half of water usage in the country is from landscaping), but the plants also require less pruning and fertilizer.
So where do you start if you want to xeriscape your yard? Drawing out a design that integrates your yard’s unique qualities along with integrating dimension is important. The right plants, rocks, rolling scapes and gravel can do just this. Watch for natural recesses that collect water in your yard, they can serve as a good location for plants that require a bit more water. Mix color up in your yard. Desert flowers and cactus come in many colors and believe it or not, there are countless varieties of cactus available for planting. One is not limited to just the types seen on television, which typically are the saguaro or the prickly pair. Make sure your plants bloom in succession rather than all at once. Check whether you are planting annuals, semi annuals or perennials.
If you like wildlife, there are distinct types of plants that the quail, cactus wren and hummingbird, for instance, are drawn to. This can add some nice variety to your yard as well.
Desert gardeners also benefit in having longer growing seasons. Many desert gardens can stay active from nine to twelve months of the year. Again, this will depend on the assortment of flowers, grasses, cacti, shrubs, vegetables and trees you decide to plant.
When laying out your desert gardening plan, watch out for what is called microclimates within your yard. You can use microclimates to benefit the plants you use. For instance, north-facing walls provide cool shaded areas. Roofs, sidewalks and streets create areas of high water runoff for collection. A microclimate will include variables such as sunlight, temperature, exposure, humidity and wind.
You can also create your own microclimate. Planting a small groves of trees or shrubs can provide wind control and create "outdoor rooms" for sitting. Form a mini-oasis by grouping moisture-loving plants where they can absorb collected rainwater. Color will influence your microclimate, adding dark rocks or walls retain heat, and white reflects it.
The only downside to xeriscaping is the amount of time it takes for plants to mature and the lack of availability in finding plants. Few nurseries will carry the desert plants because they have discovered that people are trained to look for lush greenery. Few growers offer desert plants because they are often difficult to maintain in pots before being purchased. Because desert plants require so little water, they also grow more slowly. But, if you aren’t in a hurry and if you do your homework, you can create and plant a beautiful desert oasis in your own backyard.
About the Author
About the Author: Pamela Ravenwood is a freelance writer, journalist, and writing coach who lives in the desert. In addition to spending her days writing, she also loves to tend to her organic garden where she grows as much of her own food as possible. In this, she counts on her cord reel to keep her hoses from drying out from the desert heat.
For more information on this subject click this link
Gardening Tips & Articles and Thank You for visiting Pines To Prairie - Bookmark this page and check back often.
|
|
GARDENING SUPPLIES 60 ea JIFFY PEAT PELLETS TRAYDOME $11.79 Time Remaining: 6d 22h 31m Buy It Now for only: $11.79 |
American Girl Addy Gardening Supplies Pleasant Company Retired $49.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 1d 5h 36m |
240W Red Blue LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Gardening Supplies Indoor $200.99 Time Remaining: 3h 50m Buy It Now for only: $200.99 |
|
Seedling Seed Starter tray Gardening Supplies 1200 cells $23.99 Time Remaining: 11d 9h 59m Buy It Now for only: $23.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES WATERING SPRINKLING $7.49 Time Remaining: 3d 21h 27m Buy It Now for only: $7.49 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 5eaTRAYS NO HOLES $9.99 Time Remaining: 17d 43m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 Hydroponic Seeding Heat Mat for Indoor Garden Planting Gardening Supplies Plants $28.99 Time Remaining: 24d 23h 21m Buy It Now for only: $28.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 PLANT LABEL TAGS $6.49 Time Remaining: 3d 20h 49m Buy It Now for only: $6.49 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES SEED STARTING 288 PLUGS+TRAYDOME $10.99 Time Remaining: 29d 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $10.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 5eaHUMIDITY DOMES $14.99 Time Remaining: 15d 3h 44m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 300 ea 2 1 4 JIFFY PEAT POTS $19.99 Time Remaining: 27d 3h 48m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 |
GRASS SHEARS MADE IN USA GARDENING SUPPLIES GARDEN TOOLS OUTDOORS $2.99 Time Remaining: 1d 22h 33m |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50ea3SqPLASTIC POTS $13.99 Time Remaining: 14d 21h 27m Buy It Now for only: $13.99 |
 Seedling Seed Starter trays Gardening Supplies 2100 cells $39.99 Time Remaining: 11d 12h 18m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES JIFFY PEAT POTS2TRAYS $9.99 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 22m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 35 PLASTIC POTS $7.99 Time Remaining: 9d 19h 26m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES JIFFY PEAT POTSTRAYS $12.99 Time Remaining: 23d 2h 30m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES PRO MIX BX MEDIUM $8.99 Time Remaining: 23d 2h 15m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 75 PLANT TAGS 8LONG $15.69 Time Remaining: 20d 4h 12m Buy It Now for only: $15.69 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 38 PLASTIC POTS WITH INSERTTRAY $13.95 Time Remaining: 23d 5h 57m Buy It Now for only: $13.95 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 5 GALLONS EA VERMICULITEPERLITE $17.99 Time Remaining: 27d 18h 1m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
|
Pleasant Company PC American Girl ADDY GARDENING SUPPLIES retired complete set $89.99 Time Remaining: 2d 18h 41m Buy It Now for only: $99.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 60 5 JIFFY PEAT POTS $18.49 Time Remaining: 16d 23h 1m Buy It Now for only: $18.49 |
 Seed Starting 72 cell inserts Gardening supplies trays $6.59 Time Remaining: 23d 21h 38m Buy It Now for only: $6.59 |
 LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Red Blue Gardening Supplies Grow Tool $199.99 Time Remaining: 26d 6h 3m Buy It Now for only: $199.99 |
 Seed Starting Plastic Nursery Pots Trays Gardening Supplies $23.95 Time Remaining: 5d 22h 2m Buy It Now for only: $23.95 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 2 1 4 DIAMETER JIFFY PEAT POTS $8.29 Time Remaining: 12d 23h 38m Buy It Now for only: $8.29 |
 Plastic Watering Can Gardening Supplies Watering Equipment Planting New $14.99 Time Remaining: 27d 21h 56m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 2 GALLONS EAVERMICULITE PERLITE $8.69 Time Remaining: 28d 19h 25m Buy It Now for only: $8.69 |
 50 6 HEAVY DUTY PLASTIC FLOWER POTS for SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES $16.79 Time Remaining: 16d 21h 49m Buy It Now for only: $16.79 |
 25 ea Seed Starting 72 cell inserts Gardening supplies $22.50 Time Remaining: 5d 2m Buy It Now for only: $22.50 |
 AMERICAN GIRL ADDY GARDENING SUPPLIES COMPLETE NEW $99.99 Time Remaining: 3d 5h 22m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 PLANT TAGS 6LONG $7.59 Time Remaining: 22d 21h 24m Buy It Now for only: $7.59 |
 1000 Jiffy 7 Peat Pellets 50mm Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $139.95 Time Remaining: 1d 21h 20m Buy It Now for only: $139.95 |
 LED Hydroponic Plant Grow Light Panel Red Blue Gardening Supplies Grow Tool $200.50 Time Remaining: 13d 6h 52m Buy It Now for only: $200.50 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 4 GALLONS VERMICULITE $8.69 Time Remaining: 3h 50m Buy It Now for only: $8.69 |
 12 ea Gardening supplies 18 pot inserts Seed Starting $14.99 Time Remaining: 5d 20h 58m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 54 POTS 3 CARRY TRAYS $14.49 Time Remaining: 16d 23h 2m Buy It Now for only: $14.49 |
 2 Gallons Each Vermiculite Fine Perlite Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $8.69 Time Remaining: 7d 21h 21m Buy It Now for only: $8.69 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES OASIS SEED CUTTINGS STARTING KIT $15.99 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 32m Buy It Now for only: $15.99 |
 Vermiculite Medium 2 Gallons Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $5.19 Time Remaining: 7d 11m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 set of 7 PLANTERS POTS home garden gardening supplies $5.99 Time Remaining: 6d 23h 49m |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 5 PLASTIC POTS $12.79 Time Remaining: 28d 4h 4m Buy It Now for only: $12.79 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 28eaPLASTIC POTSTRAY $11.79 Time Remaining: 9d 4h 3m Buy It Now for only: $11.79 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 12 INSERTS12 TRAYS $34.99 Time Remaining: 26d 23h 54m Buy It Now for only: $34.99 |
 Vermiculite Coarse 4 Cubic Foot Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $27.59 Time Remaining: 7d 5m Buy It Now for only: $27.59 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 100 JIFFY PEAT POTS $14.75 Time Remaining: 24d 5h 27m Buy It Now for only: $14.75 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES VERMICULITECHOICE $27.59 Time Remaining: 22d 1h 37m Buy It Now for only: $27.59 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50ea PLASTIC POTS $10.79 Time Remaining: 8d 23h 23m Buy It Now for only: $10.79 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES JIFFY PEAT POTSINSERTS TRAYS $16.95 Time Remaining: 26d 1h 59m Buy It Now for only: $16.95 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES VERMICULITE 2 GALS $5.19 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 31m Buy It Now for only: $5.19 |
 set of 2 GILMOUR sprinkers OSCILLATING IMPULSE home garden gardening supplies $3.99 Time Remaining: 6d 23h 49m |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 25 35 PLASTIC POTS $4.39 Time Remaining: 24d 3h 37m Buy It Now for only: $4.39 |
 Vermiculite Coarse 10 Gallons Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $17.99 Time Remaining: 7d 1m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 Vermiculite Fine 5 Gallons Seed Starting Gardening Supplies $9.99 Time Remaining: 10d 23h 13m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 3 INSERTS3 TRAYS $9.99 Time Remaining: 13d 21h 33m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 50 PLANT TAGS 8LONG $11.49 Time Remaining: 20d 4h 10m Buy It Now for only: $11.49 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 200ea 2 1 4 JIFFY PEAT POTS $13.89 Time Remaining: 16d 4h 23m Buy It Now for only: $13.89 |
 SEED STARTING GARDENING SUPPLIES 10 GAL VERMICULITE $17.99 Time Remaining: 5d 2h 27m Buy It Now for only: $17.99 |
 GARDENING SUPPLIES 25 ea 2 1 4 JIFFY PEAT POTS $5.69 Time Remaining: 29d 20m Buy It Now for only: $5.69 |
