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 The term xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros meaning "dry" and the word landscape . It often conjures up images of seas of gravel punctuated by cactus, or leggy plants that lose their leaves in the summer - a misconception which is far from the truth. Xeriscaping is creating a garden consistent with the region and microclimate of your specific site. A xeriscape garden can be lush and lively, creating a small natural habitate with native plants.
Xeriscape gardening uses little or no water other than natural rainfall. It costs less to maintain and positively helps conserve our precious water resources for the future. Gardens of this type require much less maintenance and are natural weed repellents, while still providing elegance and color to your home.
What is Xeriscaping?
Xeriscaping is more than planting "drought tolerant" plants. It is an integrated system comprised of seven principles:
- Planning and Design
- Soil Analysis and Improvements
- Practical Turf Areas
- Appropriate Plant Selection
- Efficient Irrigation
- Mulching
- Appropriate Maintenance
The City of Oxnard Water Division has incorporated all of these principles in the design of this demonstration garden. Plant palette, subsurface drainage system and mulch work together to create a water conserving garden. Once fully established, the garden will serve as a community reminder that beauty, function and water conservation are inclusive terms.
How can I incorporate Xeriscape methods?
Limit turf areas to places where its use and beauty are worth the water investment.
Plant turf in areas large enough to be functional. Avoid planting turf in narrow areas. These spaces are difficult to irrigate efficiently and lead to wasted water.
Plant turf on level ground. Slopes create run-off and wasted water.
Use a turf mix appropriate for our climate. Cool season grasses, such as Kentucky Bluegrass, need thirty-five to forty inches of water per year. Oxnard averages approximately 15.6 inches of rain per year.
Plant species adapted to native soil and climate. Use plants that require small amounts of supplemental water once established. Try plants indigenous to the four other Meditteranean climates.
Irrigate efficiently. Use appropriate irrigation systems to reduce water loss through evaporation. This can include pop-up sprays, bubblers and drip systems. Change the clock settings on automatic sprinklers when the weather dictates.
Improve your soil to increase its water holding capacity. Add organic amendments to your soil and use at least two inches of mulch to hold in moisture and suppress weeds.
Xeriscape Demonstration Garden
In an effort to help further promote water conservation, the City of Oxnard Water Division has incorporated all of these principles in the design of its own Xeriscape Demonstration Garden. Located adjacent to the newly constructed Multi-purpose Facility, the plant palette, subsurface drainage system and mulch work together to create this water conserving garden and will serve as a community reminder that beauty, function and water conservation can be mutually inclusive terms.
Please contact the Water Division for a tour or more information on our Xeriscape Garden.
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