Xeriscape Demonstration Project at CSIDC

What is Xeriscape?

Xeriscape is a creative method of designing attractive landscaped areas that need less water and maintenance. Water is conserved by designing the landscape so that its water requirements correspond closely to the natural precipitation, rather than relying heavily on irrigation.

Xeriscape is not the same as zeroscape, which uses no landscaping at all or is limited to gravel and rock.

The xeriscape concept includes seven principles:

1. Suitable planning and design
2. Soil analysis
3. An efficient irrigation method
4. Practical turf areas
5. Proper plant choice
6. Use of mulches
7. Appropriate maintenance.

The benefits of xeriscape are many. Foremost is reduced water consumption, which lowers the demand on water supplies, and which lowers costs. Mulching, and efficient irrigation reduce landscape maintenance. Appropriate plant selection will reduce fertilizer and pesticide use.

Why Xeriscape at CSIDC?

The xeriscape system of landscaping was established at the Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre to demonstrate its attractiveness while saving on labour and other costs.

The CSIDC project was based on the seven landscape principles. The various components of the demonstration are clearly labelled for better appreciation and understanding. The xeriscape techniques can be easily adapted to any type of park or grounds in both rural and urban areas.

The xeriscape project at the CSIDC also demonstrates the feasibility of xerigation. This is a technique designed to increase water use efficiency by using a low volume, high efficiency irrigation system.

Methods Used

The xeriscape at the Centre includes perennial drought tolerant plants growing under various types of mulches. Perennials are used because of their lower water, fertilizer and pesticide requirements as compared to annual bedding plants. This makes perennials environmentally friendly, and reduces labour and maintenance costs.

Wood fibre, red shale aggregate, and redwood fibre are used as mulches. The landscape includes crushed rock, pine cones and landscape bark used alone and in combination with the mulches.

A landscape fabric was placed on the soil surface before laying down the mulches and rocks. The fabric controls weed growth while permitting water movement. Free water penetrates the fabric, preventing water ponding or run-off that may disturb the mulch or cause erosion.

A drought tolerant variety of turf grass is also demonstrated. This area will be used to test the usefulness of this type of grass as an alternative to a conventional lawn.

The xerigation system used in the project is a low volume irrigation system capable of applying water in varying flow rates in the form of mists, sprays, drips, or streams. All these can be used on the same water line. The amount of water applied is matched to the needs of each part of the landscape.

Summary

The demonstration garden is an example of several different concepts of xeriscaping. The garden contains many features that can be effectively and conveniently used on any landscaped area.

Reference

Efficient Water-Use Landscaping, by Sara Williams. Available from the Extension Division of the University of Saskatchewan.