Xeriscaping Your Yard

Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that reduces the need for additional watering outside of natural rainfall. The purpose of xeriscaping is to select plants with low water needs to reduce water consumption and energy use. Once a xeriscaped yard or garden is in place, it typically requires very little maintenance and the plants can survive without being dependent on irrigation.

Xeriscaping was originally developed for use in low rainfall areas, such as in deserts and on the dry sides of mountains. Residents who had little water to spare but still wanted decorated yards could use xeriscaping techniques to beautify their home without the high water use and maintenance costs. With initial success, the practice is now spreading across the country and gaining popularity in all areas.

Traditional lawns typically consist of non-native grasses that require costly regular maintenance. The average homeowner must regularly plant grass, fertilize, water, mow, and edge the yard to keep it healthy and maintained. The cost of watering can be high, especially in the summer, and lawn watering leads to significant water runoff.

According to the City of Austin, outdoor watering accounts for 38 percent of the city’s total water use. Employing xeriscaping practices could dramatically reduce homeowners’ water bills and the city’s total water consumption, as well as the time, energy, and financial costs of fertilizing, mowing, and edging.

Contact Us

Xeriscaping is one way that you and your family could save hundreds or even thousands on lawn maintenance and water use. To learn more about economical home solutions and finding a home in Austin, please contact the Austin real estate professionals of the Carvajal Group at 512-419-7770