Mediterranean climate, with rain falling in the winter, and hot, dry summers. In the summer, if you look up to the hills to the east of Nipomo, and out to the native landscape on the Mesa, you can readily see what kind of plants can live here without irrigation.

The majority of native trees and shrubs are extremely water efficient, and have several inherited mechanisms to help them survive during the summer. Some, like the California Buckeye, go “drought-dormant” (leaves turn brown and fall off) in the summer. Cacti can store water in its “leaves” which helps sustain it through the dry months.

Native grasses are usually bunch grasses, which sprout and turn green with the rains, and then turns brown over the summer. The major shows of lush green growth and flowers is in the late winter and spring, when the hills are often covered with grass and wildflowers.

The grass grown in traditional lawns is not suited for the Nipomo area. It requires so much water, fertilizer and chemicals that it can cause a great deal of problems for our environment and water supply.

Growing lawn in Nipomo is the equivalent of trying to grow cacti in a Florida swamp: you must continually fight the realities of the environment, which requires a lot of labor, resources and money.

Soil. In addition, Nipomo has two different types of soil.

To the west of the 101 freeway, there is dune sand, with very little organic matter (and, therefore, little ability to hold water and nutrients). The drainage is too good: when water is applied, unless many soil amendments have been incorporated over the years to improve the soil, the water runs right through the soil, beyond the reach of most plants. The fertility (the ability of the soil to hold onto nutrients in a way that plants’ roots can access the nutrient) is very poor largely because of the lack of organic material.

To the east of the 101 freeway, there are clay soils of differing densities. Some clay soils are so dense it visibly swells with water and cracks when dry. The drainage is often very poor and, if not careful, much of the water applied will run off the soil. This is a waste of money, and it is illegal in San Luis Obispo County for water to run into any system (gutter, storm drain) which dumps into a creek or other

XERISCAPE: What is it?The “xero” in “xeriscape” comes from the Greek word for dry: xeros

Xeriscape landscaping is landscaping that conserves water and protects the environment and our water supply from overuse of fertilizers and chemicals (herbicides and insecticides) leaching down to the groundwater basin. Xeriscape landscaping can also improve soil, irrigation and fertility problems confronting many Nipomo gardeners.

Traditional landscapes may incorporate one or two of the seven principles of water conservation, but they do not utilize the entire concept to increase the water efficiency of their landscape.Xeriscape landscaping techniques will save you money, reduce the amount of water used to irrigate your plants, decrease the amount of chemicals (fertilizers, insecticides, herbicides) applied to the landscape, protect our water supply from contamination, and create a beautiful, easy-to-care-for yard for all to enjoy.

Xeriscape refers to seven horticultural principles which help to ensure that landscapes, wherever they are located, are suited for the demands of the local environment and climate. By using the Xeriscape principles, landscape options can be identified, homeowners’ creativity and be expressed, and a sustainable landscape, which will not require excess water, can be constructed

XERISCAPE: What isn’t it?Xeriscape is not “ZERO-scape.”

ZERO-scape refers to a near absence of plant material, such as is seen when a landscape is covered with decorative rock, one tree, and a boulder.

XERISCAPE: Why here, why now?Xeriscape is an ideal approach to gardening and landscaping because it not only is an extremely water- and resource-efficient way to garden, but it can also help with some of the soil and water issues confronting gardeners in Nipomo.

Climate. The Nipomo area enjoys a

body of water. The soil really holds on to water and, if not careful, overwatering can lead to chlorotic (yellowing) plants. The fertility is excellent.

All of the water the NCSD pumps for delivery to its customers comes from the groundwater basin under the Nipomo Mesa. Other water purveyors and private wells also pump water from the groundwater basin. It is estimated that twice as much water is pumped from the basin as can be naturally replenished in a year by normal rainfall. Nipomo has had a few years of less-than-average rainfall, so the basin has not been replenished at the normal rate during that time.

The NCSD is the lead agency for the Santa Maria Intertie Project, in which water from Santa Maria will be pumped to the Nipomo area. However, there will only be enough water to make up for the water pumped out of the Mesa in excess of what can be naturally replenished.

We must adjust to the reality that water (the most vital resource for life to exist) is not available in unlimited supply. Because the supply is limited, the price for water will be steadily rising in the future as water suppliers have no choice but to pass on to its customers the costs of obtaining water for delivery to its customers.

Changing a landscape takes a lot of thinking, planning, problem-solving and work. It is not a project to take on in a panic because the water rates suddenly start rising.

By planning now, and installing the new landscape now, you will not be placed in a position where you very quickly have to make some hard decisions about re-landscaping your property so the water needed to sustain it will not break your budget.

Nipomo Community Services District148 S. Wilson StreetNipomo, CA 93444Ph: (805) 929-1133www.ncsd.ca.gov

Nipomo Community Services District

Seven Principles of

Xeriscape

THE SEVEN PRINCIPLES OF XERISCAPE. The term “Xeriscape” refers to seven horticultural principles which, when correctly used, can create a landscape that is sustainable, does not require excessive resources to grow and maintain, and does not harm the native environment. By using the Xeriscape principles, you can identify landscape options, express your creativity and, at the same time, be mindful and respectful of our unique desert environment.

The seven principles of Xeriscape are:1. Planning and design 2. Appropriate plant selection3. Efficient irrigation4. Practical turf areas5. Soil improvements6. Mulches7. Proper landscape maintenance

1. PLANNING AND DESIGN: If you to take the time to develop a complete plan for your yard, you will save time and money in the end.

Creating a water-efficient landscape begins with a well-thought-out landscape design. Sketch your yard with locations of existing structures, trees, shrubs and grass areas. Next, consider the landscape budget, function, maintenance and water requirements. Implementing your landscape design can be done gradually over several years. Make sure to address the following questions when designing your new landscape:

What type of soil does the site have?

Which areas are going to have more or less sun

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than other areas?

How much maintenance are you willing to put into the finished product?

How can you design the landscape to be both water efficient and energy efficient?

Are there certain views that you may not want to obscure or is there something you would like to screen from view?

Do you want to complete the entire landscape at once or in stages?

For more assessment and planning questions, refer to the Design Survey.

2. APPROPRIATE PLANT SELECTION: Local landscape architects, designers, nurserymen and water agencies can help assist with plant selection.

Xeriscape landscapes need not be cactus and rock gardens. They can be green, cool landscapes full of beautiful plants maintained with water-efficient practices. Select trees, shrubs and groundcovers based on their adaptability to our desert climate. The Central Coast area is blessed with an abundance of beautiful native plants that come in all shapes and sizes, and serve a variety of purposes from shade to seasonal color, to screening unsightly areas. Many water-efficient plants have beautiful flowers or interesting forms; these plants will help you to create a colorful, low-maintenance yard without exhausting our precious water resource.

3. EFFICIENT IRRIGATION: If you do not have an automatically adjusting irrigation controller, adjust your irrigation schedule as the seasons change. If you water by hand, or when adjusting your controller, use a hand-held moisture meter to assess the moisture in the soil.

The goal of any irrigation system is to give plants a sufficient amount of water without waste. Drip irrigation can be incorporated to achieve water conservation in the landscape. Almost all new plants need regular irrigation to establish, and most plants need some kind of irrigation even after they become mature. The trick is to find out how much water your plants require and to apply only that much. When you design your irrigation system, put trees, shrubs, groundcovers and turf areas each

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on different valves so you can time their irrigation separately. Most plants will need more frequent irrigation during their first year. After the plants have become established, cut back on the watering. Remember that during the cooler months, plants do not need as much water.

4 . PRACTICAL TURF AREAS: When installing turf in your front landscape, keep the turf away from your driveway and sidewalk. This will help limit the amount of overspray that ends up in your street.

(NOTE: For the NCSD rebate, the turf or lawn removed cannot be replaced with turf or lawn.)

Lawn can be considered part of a Xeriscape landscape plan. Turf grasses require more frequent watering and maintenance than most other landscape plants. When designing or evaluating turf areas in the landscape, consider the difficulty in watering the proposed area. Long, narrow areas and small, odd-shaped areas are difficult for any irrigation equipment to efficiently water. Try to eliminate long, narrow areas and maintain blockier, square areas.

Lawns can be replaced by pervious patios, decks, shrubs and groundcovers.

5. SOIL IMPROVEMENTS: To increase plant health and conserve water, add organic matter to the soil.

In general, as long as over-irrigation is not occurring, with drought-tolerant plants and our Mediterranean climate, fertilizers are not usually necessary, although good drainage is important.

Loosen the soil at planting time and use soil amendments for turf areas and plants that are water thirsty.

6. MULCHES: Use mulch wherever possible. Good mulch conserves water, significantly reducing moisture evaporation from the soil. Mulch can also reduce weed populations, prevents soil compaction and keeps soil temperatures more moderate.

Mulch is a layer of nonliving material covering the soil surface around plants. Mulches reduce the amount of water needed on the landscape because it reduces evaporation and assists in keeping the soil cool.

Mulches of organic materials such as bark chips, wood grindings or compost can improve the water-holding and nutrient-holding capacity of the soil.

These are often used in planting beds and other small areas. The natural drop of leaves, flowers and fruit can also be left on the ground as mulch.

An inorganic material such as river rock, decomposed granite or crushed rock is also considered mulch.

7. PROPER LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE: Mowing grass at the proper height conserves water. Applying fertilizer to the lawn at the proper time and in the proper amount can save time, effort and money through reduced mowing and watering.

When properly designed and maintained, Xeriscape saves water, time and money through reduced plant water needs and lower maintenance requirements.

All landscapes need some care and most plants need supplemental water in a region with dry summers.

Proper pruning techniques can keep your yard beautiful and natural looking and save paying to have it hauled away by the trash hauler.

A well-maintained irrigation system can keep plants healthy and water use low.

Prudent use of fertilizers will help to avoid excessive plant growth, which will reduce water use and the need for excessive pruning. When the plant reaches the size you want it to be, back off on the water and fertilizer.

Have questions or need advice? Call Celeste at NCSD (929-1133)