The Xeriscaping Style
Xeriscaping is a way of landscaping based on principles of low water consumption. The style originated in the arid Southwest, but has been adapted for other regions of the country. It includes elements such as drought tolerant plantings and materials other than grass or sod for lawn areas. Specialized irrigation features are also prevalent, including weather based “smart” controllers, drip tubing, and individual drip emitters located near each plant.
Doesn’t It Rain In Seattle?
In the Puget Sound area we generally are not short on rain water during the fall, winter, and early spring months. During the dry summer months, however, rain is scarce and municipal water use goes up. By the end of July, many recently lush, green lawns have already turned brown. The variable snow packs of recent years can also add to unpredictable water availability in spring and summer months.
As our summers get hotter and dryer, and water use creeps up to meet the demand of a growing population, xeriscaping has taken a stronger hold in the Puget Sound region. Some communities already face water restrictions in the months with hotter weather. The occasional lower-than-normal snow pack also leads to less water being available to keep plants healthy and lawns green. The days of blanketing entire planting beds with pop-up sprinklers have dwindled and started to give way to the use of water-saving concepts.
Our Experience
At True Scape Design we use all available xeriscaping techniques to meet the rising demand. These include planting native species that evolved in our wet season/dry season cycle. We also utilize drip lines, individual drip emitters, and even irrigation controllers a homeowner can operate from a wireless device that directly link to current weather patterns. By using modern landscape and irrigation design and techniques, we can install a project on almost any property that minimizes water use, keeps landscape areas healthier, and creates less strain on the environment.
