How to Plant for a Xeriscape

Planning is essential for a xeriscape because you need to know where the plants will go even before you get them. Walk through your garden at intervals throughout the day and break it down into the areas that get the most water and areas that receive the least. Place plants according to their water needs; getting them in the right spot will save you time on irrigation later.

Note which areas have the most sun or shade. Some plants like shade and some prefer direct sunlight and placing them where they'll get as many resources as they need will keep the garden healthy.

Choose plants with these conditions in mind and draw up a quick plan for how you will structure your garden. It may change as you amend your soil or when the actual planting starts, but having a good idea of what you want from your garden will make selecting plants easier.

Do research and know what the plants you've selected will need, not just in the way of water but also from the soil. Choose plants such as wildflowers and succulents, which are low maintenance and drought resistant.

Prepare the garden for planting by amending the soil. Some soils are too heavy or need aeration, while others may require nitrogen or organic matter.

Mulch your garden to conserve water and inhibit weed growth. Lay a 2-to-4-inch layer of natural mulch in the beds but keep it about 4 inches away from the stems or trunks of plants.

Irrigate only when necessary and use drip irrigation to encourage the plants to form deeper roots.

Perform regular maintenance to keep the garden healthy and using only the water it needs. Weed to get rid of water-hungry plant pests and lay down new mulch whenever necessary.