How to Xeriscape on a Budget for an Eco-Friendly Yard

For a more budget-friendly landscaping project, consider the following tips.

• Design your new backyard yourself.
• Do the physical labor yourself — and rope in some friends to help.
• Rather than buying all new plants, buy seeds and plant cuttings, and choose plants that spread quickly.
• Avoid buying new concrete slabs and boulders by using more cost-effective elements, like shells and pebbles.
• Instead of buying new mulch, make your own.
• Only xeriscape a part of your yard. If you have a small front yard, or you’re looking for drought tolerant garden ideas, use this guide to create a mini xeriscape area at your home.

Some states, like California and Colorado, will pay you to replace your lawn with xeriscape landscaping. If you live in a drought-stricken area, reach out to your local government to see if they have a turf replacement program you can participate in and save some money on your sustainable yard improvements.

Start by drawing a map of your yard on graph paper, marking existing trees, patios and decks. Be sure to measure the square footage of your yard so you know how much material you’ll need for each zone you create. Decide which plants you want to keep and which areas you plan to recreate.

Pay attention to the sun’s journey in your yard. Which areas are in full sun for most of the day? Which areas are mostly shady? Mark which times of the day the sun hits each area of your yard, so you can plan which plants to use.

While noting the sunny and shady areas, identify the three zones listed below for your new landscape. A xeriscape landscape includes each of these zones, so you can group like plants and plan for water runoff and irrigation.

Before you jump into your new dry landscaping project, rent a roll off dumpster for easy yard waste removal. You may need to dispose of rocks or get rid of dirt or existing grass and plants before beginning your project.

Your soil is one of the most important pieces to creating a successful xeriscape landscape. The right soil keeps your plants cool and conserves water by retaining just enough moisture for your plants to live.

If water pools around your house, walkways or driveway, you’ll want to regrade your yard to prevent yard drainage problems. Make sure your yard slopes away from your home, so water doesn’t pool near your house. You may want to rent a tiller to soften the soil so it’s easier to work with.

Measure the slope of your yard with stakes, string and a level. Fill in the uneven areas with soil, and be sure to keep with your desired slope measurement as you go. By regrading your yard, you’ll help direct the water to your plants that need it most and prevent the water from pooling or leaving your yard.

To help with water retention, mix in compost or organic mulch about 2-3 inches deep in your soil. Keep the mulch away from the base of the plants, and make sure not to pack the mulch too tightly. To help xeriscape on a budget, create your own mulch.

Mulch doesn’t need too much maintenance throughout the year. To keep your mulch fresh, turn and mix it at the start of each season. If you’re adding new mulch to your yard, be sure to remove the old mulch so you don’t have more than 2-3 inches of mulch. While mulch helps prevent weeds, some will still grow, so make sure to pull weeds when you see them.

Hard elements, like slate and rocks, reduce the amount of grass and soil needed for your yard, which means less water all around. Installing a paver patio on your own will help you create those hard elements without breaking the bank. But what material is best for your walkway or patio? Concrete seals the ground, preventing water from entering the soil, so avoid using it to make a patio or walkway. Slate pavers are a great option because they last longer. When installing your pavers, be sure to leave space in between each of them. This makes it easy for water to enter the soil and for small plants to grow.

Irrigation is one of the seven principles of xeriscaping for a few reasons. Irrigation helps keep your plants alive of course, but when done well, it can actually help you conserve water, too. There are a few ways to install efficient irrigation:

• Build a streambed with rocks to capture runoff and let the water sink into the soil.
• Build a rain barrel to catch rain to water your plants.

Kane Miller, founder of YardYum, outlines a few other irrigation methods to efficiently use water.

To install drip irrigation, you’ll need tubing, a tubing cutter and a hole punch. Attach your tubing to an outdoor hose, and snake the tubing through your plants, making sure to keep the tubing close to the plants’ roots. If you have trees and shrubs, be sure to loop the tubing around the entire plant.

If you plan to use the soaker hose method, you’ll need soaker hoses, a filter, a pressure regulator and a regular garden hose. You can lay your soaker hoses on top of your mulch or bury them about 3 inches deep. You’ll want to lay out your soaker hoses similar to how you would for drip irrigation, making sure to get close to the roots of your plants.

When picking out plants for your new xeriscaped yard or garden, choose low-water perennial plants native to your area. Use the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to find plants most likely to grow and flourish in your area. And don’t forget your pre-determined zones: Oasis, Transition and Xeric. These zones will help you group plants that need the same amount of water, so you can efficiently water your yard using your chosen irrigation method.

If you’re looking to xeriscape on a budget, use plant cuttings instead of fully-grown plants. You can propagate succulents by cutting leaves from the original plant and planting them in your soil. It’ll take a few weeks for the plants to grow, but then you’ll have the lush drought tolerant garden you were looking for.

Typically, drought-tolerant plants have deep roots to reach water in the soil, waxy leaves or thick roots to hold water. While it’s best to choose plants that are native to your area, here are some common drought tolerant plants:

Now that you know how to xeriscape your yard, it’s time to talk about maintenance.

• Water deeply and less often. This allows your roots to grow deeper and stronger. After your plants are fully grown, the goal is to water them about every two weeks. Be sure to water early in the morning to prevent evaporation.
• Keep a close eye on your irrigation system, especially if it is under mulch, to make sure there are no leaks and that the roots aren’t growing into the holes of the hose. If you see dry spots or pooling water, typically there is a leak.
• Prune your plants after the first year when they are getting too large, or if you see dead leaves.
• While weeding needs should be minimal, be sure to pick out weeds when you see them. Weed after watering or rain for easy removal.
• Replace your mulch every 1-2 years, usually in the spring.
• Mow your lawn so the grass is 3 inches tall.