Landscaping in Arid regions. Tips, tricks and examples to make your yard upkeep easier and reduce water usage

There is a trend in the Northwest and other inland arid regions to landscape with water conservation in mind.

With water costs going up and supplies going down due to the increasing population growth this is not only a good thing, it is very necessary in today’s world.

The continued drought in the southern US moving to less water usage should be considered. Landscaping with truly drought resistant plants and moving away from large expanses of lawn can be the only way to maintain yards that are attractive and still be a part of the solution of water conservation.
Lawn size is shrinking and drought resistant plants are finding their way into yards. Along with that, the use of natural materials such as rock, gravel and bark covering large portions of many yards is providing for dramatic work free, ‘dry areas’.

Spot sprinklers or drip watering techniques are being used to irrigate trees and shrubs.. This type of irrigation provides water only where it is wanted. By using this method a tremendous amount of water will be saved during a normal summer.

Many older established yards are also being converted to easier up keep with these same methods. Slopes that are always difficult to water and mow are being raised and leveled with edging blocks as the retainer. This is attractive and eliminates that portion of a yard that  never looks quite as good as it should, and always takes more watering than surrounding areas.

Combine the use of drought resistant foliage plants and ornamental grasses with the use of natural materials and yard upkeep is also becoming much less labor intensive. Where green areas are wanted but grass is not the best option, then ivy or ground hugging evergreens can be used. This change requires edge trimming only once or twice a year instead of regular mowing..

When you start working with the environment instead of fighting it you will save water, fertilizers and the other chemicals commonly used to keep grasses and yards weed and insect free. Combine the dollar savings with the reduced time in upkeep and the fact your yard will be consistently looking good.  This is a win, win approach.

These photos demonstrate the use of rock and gravel to create an artfully designed yard, and demonstrates the use of natural materials in arid landscaping.
The yard above is divided into two levels with used brick as an attractive foundation for the upper level. The raised and rocked bed in the foreground is planted with trailing plants and a dogwood tree. This is an attractive and versatile approach to handling a sloping property.
This photo illustrates medium sized broken basalt and smaller river rock being utilized to reduce overall lawn size. At the same time this approach provides artistic flowing lines and areas to highlight singular plantings of grasses or trees.
Medium to small river rock is used to separate a yard from rough non landscaped properties. This has plantings of evergreen shrubs and flowering plants to add color and interest