Update on Xeriscaping the Front Parkway

Xeriscaping: Merriam-Webster defines Xeriscape as, “a landscaping method developed especially for arid and semiarid climates that utilizes water-conserving techniques (as the use of drought-tolerant plants, mulch, and efficient irrigation).” So, here’s my Update on Xeriscaping the Front Parkway!

The grasses have grown up quite a bit from when they were first planted.

About a year and a half ago we took the lawn out of the front parkway; you know that section between the street and the sidewalk that doesn’t really get used, but you have to water and take care of it? Well, we took out that lawn.

This is what it looked like right after the project was complete back in May 2010

And, I’m so happy we did all that work. Now, we never water the parkway at all, and the plants thrive there. In fact, I have to cut the tall grasses back about once a month during the summer (the heaviest growing season).

During the non-growing seasons I can go about 3 months before I have to cut them back. The ones that we planted are all drought tolerant, and we tested them before planting them there.

The fabric weed barrier is amazing. I didn’t know if it would work or not, but after having it out there for over a year, I can recommend it without any reservations. Sometimes (rarely) a plant will grow in the mulch on top of the barrier, but it’s really easy to pull that plant out.

The mulch comes free from a local tree trimming place. All I have to do is pull my truck in, and they load up the bed with free mulch. It looks really nice, and helps keep the moisture in.

Also, it’ll make the soil more fertile as it breaks down (and the soil here really needs it!). I redo the mulch once a year. Check with your local tree trimmers to see if they have the same type of deal.

Looking out toward the street from the house, you can see just how big the plants are, and keep in mind that I never water them. Yippie!

That’s it, that’s all I do: rarely weeding, the annual mulching, and the occasional trimming back of the grasses, that’s all!

The boardwalks make it look really nice and beachy. In addition, they give people a place to get out of their cars and walk up to the sidewalk.

In the original post about the completed Xeriscaping, I mentioned that there were three phases. This was phase 1. Phases 2 & 3 haven’t really been started yet. Phase 2 of the front yard is to build a deck in the small square that’s closest to the house. But, there are a couple of things in the backyard that I’ll be attending to before we can move on with phase 2 of the front yard.

I love the way it looks. I’m so happy that we did it. We get nice comments all the time from friends and neighbors. And, it’s so much less work. Not to mention never watering it!

The grasses have grown up quite a bit, and can get very large. I’ve seen the children hide behind them on occasion.

Wish us luck, and check back on the Xeriscaping progress. Here’s a link to all the posts.