Xeriscaping Options for Your San Diego Yard

Hardscaping refers to the “hard” aspects of your landscape–walkways, walls, and patios.  While many people focus on the plants and greenery that will fill their new landscape design, they may forget to think about how they move around the landscape, what supports their plans, and how adding accents such as fire or water features can change everything.  Including hardscape in your design plans takes your yard from acceptable to exciting!

Hardscaping also allows you to practice what is known as “xeriscaping” or “xeroscaping” in your overall outdoor plan.  Xeriscaping refers to the practice of using as little water as possible in maintaining your outdoor spaces.  Hardscape is often an integral part of your overall xeriscaping plan.

How Hardscape Helps You Xeriscape

Hardscape offers you several ways to integrate xeriscaping principles into your yard, including:

• Support less water usage. Overall, the goal of xeriscaping is to use less water.  Your hardscape can certainly help with this goal since most hardscapes require no water for maintenance.  By choosing hardscaping options such as walkways instead of grass, patios instead of planting areas, and walls to support plant growth and dividing your yard into zones, you are helping yourself use less water overall.  Further, your hardscape can give you enjoyment in areas of your yard that might previously have been unused, making more square footage available even though you are using less water for maintenance.
• Support watering systems. Even the best-design xeriscaping plans still need some water, and designing watering and irrigation systems can help you minimize your use of this resource.  By designing watering systems that use such items as rain barrels, drip irrigation, and other water-saving devices, you can bring your net water usage close to zero and do your part in conserving water to help the environment.  Hardscape features such as water features can also help by recycling what water you do use, helping you to need less “fresh” water to recharge.
• Support low-water planting areas. Using hardscape to do such things as building beds for plants can help you lower water needs, as well.  For example, an open bed may drain quickly, requiring you to water more frequently, while a raised bed built with a hardscape not only looks great but also helps you to hold water near your plants for a longer period of time.  This means that you will use less water overall since your plants will stay watered longer, and ultimately your plants will benefit and become more healthy.  Healthy plants use water more efficiently, making this a win-win situation for everyone!

At Juniper Landscape Company, we have spent many years working with customers throughout the San Diego area, helping them design, build and maintain beautiful outdoor spaces.  We work with customers who want to integrate the best, most environmentally-friendly practices possible, including xeriscaping.  Our experts can help you design hardscape, planting, and irrigation options that will give you beautiful results without overusing precious resources.  Give us a call today to find out how to make Juniper Landscape Company your partner in your landscape design and implementation.