Xeriscaping with Roundup® Lawn and Garden Products

WHAT IS XERISCAPING?

Xeriscaping is a way of landscaping that uses water conservation techniques. This is done by strategically selecting “xeric” plants like succulents and cacti as well as native (to your area) and drought-tolerant perennials, shrubs, and trees.

“Xeric: Dry, or able to thrive in a dry environment”

While xeriscaping sounds a whole lot like zeroscaping, xeriscaping does not require removing all of your green space. If you’re interested in learning more about zeroscaping, check out Lawn Renovation with Roundup^® Weed & Grass Killer Products.

WHY XERISCAPING?

Although xeriscaping is most common in drought-prone zones, gardeners all over might want to give it a shot. Here are a couple reasons why:

Illustration of a drought tolerant plant.

Conserving water

As with all landscapes, your xeriscaped space will need time to establish a sufficient root system; this means that you may use more water than expected during your xeriscape’s first few years. Over time, though, some people see their annual maintenance costs down by one third after converting to a xeriscaped space.¹ Patience will be key (and that key can unlock great potential).
Keeping maintenance to a minimum

Tired of pushing a lawnmower on those hot summer days? Removing part of your lawn and putting in a xeriscaped space doesn’t require as much upkeep (just the occasional watering, trimming, and weeding) and can still deliver a “wow” factor (hello, new talk of the neighborhood!).

Ready to get started? Roundup^® Weed & Grass Killer products are here to help

TURF’S UP

The first step is getting rid of grass in the areas of your yard where you’d like to xeriscape. Use Roundup^® Ready-to-Use Weed & Grass Killer III so that replanting time for your new xeric plants is kept to a minimum (1-3 days). If some or all of your xeriscaped space will be a hardscape (like a walkway) without plants, Roundup^® Max Control 365 products ² will be your best friend; it kills existing weeds and keeps new ones from coming back for up to a year.

WORD TO THE WISE:

It’s good to retain some turf for your family to enjoy, added visual interest, and for functionality (you’ll still need to get around your space, after all). So, for the grass you do keep around, be sure to reach for Roundup^® For Lawns products; when used as directed, it’ll kill weeds without harming your lawn.

ALL ABOUT THAT BASE

Good soil is the basis for any successful xeriscaped space. Whether you have heavy clay or sandy soil, you should give it a strong foundation by adding nutrient-rich soil. We recommend using Miracle-Gro^® All Purpose Garden Soil.

PLANT PRACTICALLY

Plants that grow together, go together. And we’re not just talking about cacti and succulents. There are many annuals, perennials, trees, and shrubs that can thrive in xeriscaped spaces. While you can use plants with different heights, colors, and textures, your plants will flourish best if you group them according to water and sunlight requirements. Take note, these plants can provide better drought tolerance once a sufficient root system has been established. Water well and consistently for this to happen—this can take a full growing season for larger plants, so patience is key. Then, once the root system is established, watering can be reduced which will help make your plants more drought-tolerant. Finally, finish off your look by adding a fresh layer of mulch (which also happens to help minimize evaporation).

WATER WISELY

Watering your landscape efficiently is as much an art as xeriscaping itself. For best results use drip irrigation or soaker hoses; they offer more precise water application than sprinklers (and less evaporation).

MAINTAIN MINIMALLY

Xeriscaped spaces don’t need much maintenance but, every once in a while, a weed can pop up and crash the party. If this happens, use Roundup^® Ready-To-Use Weed & Grass Killer III with Sure Shot^® Wand to kick out these uninvited guests with precision control.