Are you looking for Albuquerque xeriscape landscaping ideas? You’ve arrived at the correct location. Xeriscape landscaping combines native plants and an effective irrigation strategy to decrease the quantity of water your yard requires. It is also easier to maintain and healthier for the environment because it does not require pesticides or fertilizers. While some homeowners replace all grass with pebbles and shrubs with succulents, you don’t have to go to such lengths to use xeriscaping ideas in your yard.

Here you the guide to get started:

Create a drawing to work from

Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, the city’s water company, suggests starting with a detailed design of your home, driveway, sidewalk, existing trees you intend to maintain, and other aspects. Then, measure from the property borders to your home, as well as the outside walls, driveway, and everything else that appeared on your first plan. Take note of these statistics.

Using a 1:10 or 1:8 scale, convert these dimensions to graph paper, where every 10 (or 8) feet of accurate measurement equals one inch on the design. This will provide you with a more exact idea of how much area you have to work with. Include an arrow pointing north and think about regions that get a lot of shadows. According to Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority, you should also indicate the position of fixtures, downspouts, and electrical outlets.

Plan to xeriscape in zones

 Consider the adjustments you want to make now that you have a foundation drawing. Will you replace your complete landscape or just make changes to your current landscaping? Do you want to do the task all at once or spread it out over time? And how much of the job do you plan on doing yourself? (Alternatively, you might employ a landscape architect to develop a sketched plan for you.)

 If you want to make your xeriscape design, divide your yard into three zones: desert zones, transition zones, and oasis zones. By arranging your plants into these three zones, you can rinse them more efficiently and use less water.

Arid zone: This should be the farthest away from your residence. Plant native and drought-resistant plants or leave the land alone in this location. These plants should thrive on rainfall alone, so you shouldn’t need to rinse them in a dry zone.

Transition zone: A transition zone acts as a buffer between your yard’s parched and lush zones. Use drought-tolerant plants, which can survive for long periods without water yet require some to thrive. In this zone, irrigation is needed, but water use and overall upkeep should be minimum.

Oasis zone: This zone should be located near the house, where it may benefit from rainwater runoff from the roofline and gutter downspouts. Plants in this area may require more constant watering, but not excessive watering. This region may require extra labor in addition to more water. For example, if you plant annuals for a splash of color, you’ll have to replace them the following season.

Address your grass

 When converting to xeriscape, you do not have to remove all grass from your yard, but you must treat it. To begin, limit the grass in your yard to those locations where you utilize it, such as under your children’s playground equipment. The less grass you have, the less water you need to keep it green.

 Second, think about the sort of grass you have in your yard. Some grasses, such as Kentucky bluegrass, are drought-tolerant, but they require a lot of water to stay green. On the other hand, some low-water-use grass cultivars cannot sustain intense foot activity. Consult your local nursery or a landscaper for advice on what sort of grass will best suit your needs.

Prepare your soil for xeriscaping.

 Your soil must be able to absorb and hold moisture for your plants to acquire what they need without wasting water. This might be an issue if your soil is mostly clay or sand. Clay is good at retaining moisture but not so good at absorbing it. Water quickly penetrates sand, but the soil does not keep its moisture.

 You should be able to detect whether your soil is sandy or clay-rich. Sandy soil will have a gritty texture. While clay soil has a “clay” texture, you can tell it apart by how it behaves when wet and dry. Because it takes the soil so long to absorb liquid after a storm, you’ll see puddles for hours or even days. Clay soil, on the other hand, cracks when it is dry.

 Before you add anything, examine your soil for organic and nutritional levels. Excessive amounts of an element, such as nitrogen, may exacerbate the condition. Testing kits are available at your local nursery or home improvement store. If required, seek the advice of a local gardening expert.

Irrigate in zones

 Drip irrigation supplies just enough moisture in the parts of your yard that demand water, primarily the transitional and oasis zones, by steadily producing a drip at or near the soil’s surface. This can cut your landscape’s water use by up to 66%. A standard point source drip irrigation system that targets a single plant or a grid system that provides even water coverage to a whole area can be used. Drip irrigation installation kits are available online or at your local nursery or home improvement store.

 Drip irrigation isn’t the only technique to cut water use while still providing your lawn with the water it requires. You may collect rainwater in rain barrels and rain storage tanks and use it to water sections in your yard. You may also use downspouts or locations that receive moisture from roofing runoff. Plants in these regions that require more water will require less watering.

 After you’ve installed drip irrigation and used natural water sources, use a mulch to keep the water in the soil. Composting can also help with water retention.

Choose the best plants.

 Do some research before you go to the nursery. Which flora is indigenous to your region? Which plants from the other globe areas live in climates comparable to ours? Native and drought-tolerant plants are your most acceptable xeriscaping alternatives. If you can’t find enough information on xeriscaping ideas online or in books, go to your local botanical garden and ask the docents about native plants. Alternatively, use a gardening glass from your local store. (Occasionally, the local water agency will also organize free xeriscaping seminars and classes.)

 Then, take out the drawing you finished earlier. Place the plants in your yard where you believe they will thrive, considering factors such as shade, direct sunlight, and water. You may need to make minor adjustments to your drip irrigation system to ensure that your purchased plants receive the water they require.

Finally, buy and install your plants. You do not need to complete all of the tasks at once. By dividing the yard into portions, you may make the process more manageable, especially if you’re doing the labor yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed, you may always hire a landscape designer and team to handle the work for you.

Make a bold move

 Alternatively, you may relocate to a home that already has xeriscaping done. You definitely won’t relocate primarily to xeriscape, but if you’re already thinking about moving, why not seek a property with xeriscape landscaping?