When your area is experiencing a seasonal drought or is simply a dry area that doesn't experience much rainfall, it doesn't make sense to use precious water to keep thirsty landscape plants alive. Instead, homeowners often choose to landscape their home with drought-resistant plants or even no plants at all rather than deal with having dead plants in their yard that can't handle a water shortage. Read on for some tips on landscaping your yard in a drought-prone area.
Drought-Tolerant Plants
One solution to landscaping when you live in a drought-prone environment is to plant plants that don't need a lot of water. Low-lying ground covers, like thyme, can thrive when there isn't a lot of water available, and they can easily replace grass, which requires a lot of water. A ground cover is an excellent alternative to pavers or cement because it can help keep the air temperature low, unlike cement, which reflects the sun and increases the air temperature.
Use the Rain
When rain does fall, put flower beds in places where they can catch the water. Watch the way that rainwater travels in your yard, and plant a bed in an area that collects water. Doing so will help your plants thrive and will reduce run-off by keeping water in the ground where it belongs. Be sure to give these beds a good layer of mulch, which will not only help the ground retain moisture, but will keep weeds down. When planning a flower bed, be sure to choose native plants because they are likely to be drought-tolerant. Keep in mind that many drought-tolerant plants will not flower, but make up for it with interesting leaf shapes.
Plant Alternatives
Some homeowners choose to forego landscaping with a lot of plants. They might choose to fill their front and backyards with rocks and create walkways through the rock gardens that are easy on the feet. A few drought-tolerant shrubs planted among the rocks and a few large boulders sprinkled throughout the yard add interest to a rock garden. Other homeowners choose artificial turf. Modern artificial turf can look very lifelike and provides the look of a traditional lawn with none of the water needs.
Sculpture Garden
Some homeowners choose to include sculpture in their yard to create interest and take the place of flowering plants. A water feature is an element that might seem counterintuitive, but could be a good choice in a drought-prone area, as long as the chosen water feature captures and recycles water. To learn more, talk with a business such as Proturf Landscape Solutions.
Share