Michael Holigan: Most of us have a codependent relationship with our lawn. They have a drinking problem and we just keep feeding the problem by watering too much and landscaping with plants that aren't appropriate for the climate. You can cut down dramatically on the amount of water your yard needs with a technique called xeriscaping.
Janell Mirochna: The word means dry landscaping, but it's really a lot more than that. A xeriscape landscape is actually a lush, beautiful landscape that is designed for the kind of climate you have in your community.
M.H.: There are seven steps to xeriscaping. Step number one is planning how you're going to use your yard. Do you need a place for children to play or do you need a garden or other things? Step two is improving the soil. Most every yard will hold more moisture if you add organic matter like compost or peat. Step three is using turf only where you need it. Turf is one of the biggest water guzzler's in your landscape. So don't use it unless you have a practical need for it. The fourth step is selecting native or drought tolerant plants. They will naturally thrive on rainfall, so you won't have to give them the additional water. Step five is using water efficiently to make every drop count.
J.M.: This type of sprinkler is really good when you're just trying to water a particular plant or a few plants, but you don't want to have to stand and hand water.
M.H.: Avoid misting sprinklers. They lose a lot of water to evaporation. And make sure you're not wasting water on your driveways and sidewalks. Step six is using organic mulches to reduce water loss and erosion and prevent weed growth. And step seven is watching for signs that your yard needs watering instead of watering automatically on a set schedule.
Episode 43 1996 - 97 Season
| Ragging Off | Stud Marker | Xeriscaping | Final Walk-through | Pro-Measure Plus | Excess Humidity | Detectors | Paint Protectors | Second Mortgages |