Low Water Yard Basics for Phoenix
A low water yard, also called xeriscape, uses less water and less work while still looking full and green. It is not all rock. It is the right plants in the right spots, watered the right way. Here are the seven basics most Valley yards are built on.
1. Start with a plan
Before you buy anything, think about how you use the yard, the look you want, your budget and how much time you want to spend on upkeep. Sketch where shade, play space, patio and planting beds go. A plan saves money and replanting later.
2. Choose low water plants
Hundreds of plants handle our heat, cold snaps and soil with little water. Many are desert natives, and others come from dry places around the world. They come in every size and use, from shade trees to seasonal color. Check each plant's mature size so it fits its spot without heavy pruning.
3. Keep grass where you use it
Grass takes more water and care than low water plants, but sometimes only grass will do, like a play area for kids or pets. Keep it small and in the spot where you actually use it. Many Valley cities pay homeowners to replace grass they do not use. See grass removal rebates.
4. Water the right way
Almost all new plants need regular water to get rooted, and many need some water for life. Drip is the best fit for trees and shrubs. Group plants with the same water needs on the same line, and water deep and not often. See how to water new plants for schedules and amounts.
5. Help the soil
Desert plants do well in our native soil and rarely need it amended. What they need most is drainage. Loosen the soil when you plant, and check for caliche. Grass and higher water beds are the places that benefit from added compost.
6. Use mulch
Mulch covers and cools the soil, slows evaporation and keeps weeds down. Organic mulch like bark feeds the soil as it breaks down. Rock mulch like decomposed granite lasts for years. Keep mulch a few inches back from trunks.
7. Keep up with care
A low water yard still needs some care, just less of it. Prune lightly and at the right time of year, pull weeds while they are small, and check the drip system each season. A system that works well keeps plants healthy and saves water and money.
Ready to pick plants? Browse low water plants, or see what to plant each month.