xeriscape (ZEER-i-skayp) - n., a landscaping method for arid and semiarid climates that minimizes the need for irrigation.
Including planting only drought-tolerant plants, using mulches, and sculpting the slopes to maximize rainfall capture -- and when irrigation is still needed, using efficient designs. It is too my shame that I cannot point to my yard as an example, but we've never gotten it together to do more than plop down a few native plants and cacti -- there's much more we could do to make for a pleasant plot instead of the bare earth that covers half the place. As for the word, it was coined (and trademarked by Denver Water) in 1985 from xeri(c), adapted for arid climates (from Greek xērós, dry) + (land)scape.
---L.
Including planting only drought-tolerant plants, using mulches, and sculpting the slopes to maximize rainfall capture -- and when irrigation is still needed, using efficient designs. It is too my shame that I cannot point to my yard as an example, but we've never gotten it together to do more than plop down a few native plants and cacti -- there's much more we could do to make for a pleasant plot instead of the bare earth that covers half the place. As for the word, it was coined (and trademarked by Denver Water) in 1985 from xeri(c), adapted for arid climates (from Greek xērós, dry) + (land)scape.
---L.
no subject
Date: 2015-10-03 09:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-10-05 02:38 pm (UTC)Er, no -- we're wet enough we only just qualify as technically desert, which means it's actually pretty lush in this valley, especially along streambeds. We get the bulk of our rain in two short rainy seasons, and during the summer one the weeds EXPLODE with growing fastfastfast while the water is good. Our back yard is ... not pretty right now.
---L.
no subject
Date: 2015-10-05 06:43 pm (UTC)