Xeriscaping and the Utah Desert

What is Xeriscaping?

Xeriscape is a word created by combiningthe Greek word “xeros” which means dry and“scape” from the word “landscape”.

Xeriscaping is water-wiselandscaping.

This practice of landscaping focuses onusing natural forces such as rainfall andcareful plant selection to create beautifulsites that requires minimal maintenance.Usually the plants chosen are native plantsor those that can survive in the local habitatwith little intervention. With patience andplanning, this method can be a successfuland worthwhile venture that is beneficial andcompatible with the Utah habitat.

Why is water-wise gardening soimportant in Utah?

Most simply stated because Utah is a desertAs our population increases the demand fordrinking and irrigation water increases. Water can not be created. If waterconservation is not practiced our future

drinking water supply will be depleted, ourrecreation areas jeopardized, and our naturalhabitats compromised.

Other Reasons to Xeriscape

Saving water isn’t the only reason toXeriscape. Other reasonsinclude reducing storm water runoff preventing erosion anddecreasing the effects of soilexpansion which causespavement to crack.

Reducing Storm water run off

If your property has even a mild to moderateslope it invites runoff. If you do not have thenecessary plants to hold it in place the runoffincreases. Using mulches and other plantsthat require little water will decrease theoccurrence of run off by allowing the watertime to absorb into the soil. This alsodecreases erosion of the soil.

Decreasing Soil Expansion

Soil expansion happens when soil expandswhen it gets wet. This is alsoknown as soil swelling.When the soil swells it cancause cracking in pavementand foundations. Xeriscapingcan help prevent thisbecause it requires little water thuspreventing the soil from expanding andcracking the pavement.

How to get Started

You don’t have to takedrastic measures liketearing out all of yourexisting plants in order tobegin xeriscaping. Startsmall.

• Consider removing afew feet of grass alongyour driveway andsidewalk. Plant these areas with groundcover, small shrubs or perennials.

• Or maybe replace a part of your sloping

lawn with a rock garden, rock wall or somelow-spreading evergreens.

Xeriscaping Helps Utah

Remember with xeriscaping you will get the mostout of every gallon of water you apply to thelandscape and that means you are helping tosave one of our most precious resources, Water!

For moreinformation including lists of Utah native plantsand where to purchase them visit-

www.unps.orgwww.slowtheflow.comwww.xeriscape.orgwww.hort.usu.edu

For additional information on Storm Water Protection refer tothe following brochures:

Erosion ControlFresh Concrete and Mortar ApplicationHousehold and Vehicle MaintenanceImpervious SurfacesLandscaping, Gardening, and Yard MaintenancePaint and Household Hazardous WastePet Waste Water QualityUtah and its Water, Why ConserveWater Conservation Inside the HomeWater Conservation Outside the HomeXeriscaping

For more information about the Weber County Storm water qualitymanagement program and additional pamphlets, contact:

Weber County Storm Water ManagementDr. George S. Burbidge444-24th St. Ogden, UT 84401Office (801)399-8677Fax (801)625-3699www.co.weber.ut.us/stormwater.

Brochure created by Salt Lake County Engineering Division modified byWeber County Storm water Management Division

Spill ResponseDial 911

-or-Environmental Health Division of theWeber/Morgan Health Department

(801)591-7168

State Of UtahEnvironmental Response

(801) 536-4123

Utah Division of Water Quality(801) 538-6146

1-800-458-0145

Used Oil Recyclers(for DIYers in Weber County)

Weber County Transfer StationAuto Zone Stores

Checker Auto Parts StoresNAPA Auto Parts Stores

Pep Boys StoresLittle Tire & Lube

Jiffy Lube

The preceding list is not all encompassing nor does it constitute anendorsement by Weber County of any particular company

Xeriscaping

Getting the most out ofevery gallon of water!