If you are looking for gardening inspiration in these last weeks before we actually get out in our gardens, stop by the Library and browse through their great selection of garden and landscaping books. I borrowed one called “Creating The Prairie Xeriscape” by Sara Williams, and I’d like to tell you about it. Make a cup of tea and join me!
First of all, what is xeriscaping? Many people assume that xeriscaping means turning their yard into a gravel or stonescape. But as Ms. Williams explains in her book, “…a xeriscape landscape can be just as lush and green as a conventional landscape. It is not rocks and plastic. It is high-quality, attractive landscaping. The difference lies in the way water is used.”
The principles for xeriscaping include design that uses plants that conserve water and grouping plants with similar water needs together to make watering more efficient. Next, we should improve our soil so that it can hold and deliver nutrients and water more effectively to our plants. Improving the soil also means that we don’t need to use as many fertilizers.
Xeriscaping does not mean that we have to get rid of our lawns. Rather, we should look for more drought-tolerant grasses, change the way we mow our lawns (cut them a little longer and leave the clippings behind for mulch), and change our way of thinking to understand that a lawn can safely go dormant during dry spells. It does not have to look like one of the greens at Augusta all the time.
Choosing the right plants is one of the key principles for xeriscaping. This includes trees, shrubs, perennials, bulbs, and annuals, and learning to water our plants with only as much water as they truly need, and only when they truly need it. Mulching is also an important principle of xeriscaping; mulch helps to conserve water, reduce weeding, and generally improves the soil.
Why is it a good idea to xeriscape? This type of landscape will survive drought and water restrictions, plus is easier to maintain because we will be doing less watering, less weeding (because of mulch, and also because of dense plantings that don’t leave as much room for weeds to grow), and less fertilizing (because drought tolerant plants don’t need as many nutrients, plus healthier soil delivers more of what they need).
So we have to remember these points: choose water-efficient plants, improve our soil, water carefully and effectively, and incorporate mulching into our garden routine. Probably many of us are xeriscaping to some degree right now, but just didn’t realize it!
It’s a fascinating book, and well worth reading. I’d encourage you to check it out; it really explains xeriscaping, plus lists many plant options that are good xeriscaping choices. Ask the nice folks at the Library and they can direct you to this gardening book and many others!
The Yorkton and District Horticultural Society will be holding their next meeting on Wednesday, May 20. Our guest speaker will be Carol Miller from Windthorst, and she will be telling us “How To Grow Sprouts All Year Round”. The meeting is at 7 p.m. at SIGN on North Street, and everyone is welcome. You don’t have to be a member to attend.
And be sure to mark your calendars: the Spring Plant and Bulb Sale is on Friday, May 29 from 9:30 a.m. till 5 p.m. at the Parkland Mall. This is a one day sale, and you will find many great plants at great prices. You know what I always say, come early for best selection, especially if you are searching for a specific plant. That’s Friday, May 29.
Have a great week, gardeners! Visit us at www.yorktonhort.ca
