Just because we live in a desert, a smart or water-efficient landscape (xeriscape) does not have to look like a moonscape with mostly rock or barren ground. A smart desert landscape design should embrace the concept of an oasis. The cool, lush areas that require the highest use of water should be placed nearest the home or building. The further out you go, the less water consumptive the landscape should be. You can even use some grass and still have a fairly water-efficient landscape.

Modest quantities of turf will give the most benefit in areas where it will be used for cooling the environment, for play and recreation or for pets. Grass in a front lawn is seldom used, and there are many other options for an attractive landscape that will show off your home from the public viewpoint. For those who like a greener look, less water-consumptive landscape materials such as groundcovers or mulches may be used in place of grasses.

Obviously, creating a water-efficient design is easier for new landscapes where the soil can be amended and plants may be placed properly. Existing landscapes can be altered to become more efficient, but it may take time and persistence to complete the task. University of Nevada Cooperative Extension (UNCE) offers a Landscape Design class for homeowners who need to install new landscaping or for those who just want to change their existing landscape into a water-efficient, energy-saving and attractive landscape that meets the needs and desires of those who live there. Mel Hengen, UNCE Master Gardener, will coach you through the process to create your own design for building a landscape. Over 500 Southern Nevada residents have completed the classes with outstanding results; some have been presented landscape design awards. Participants are provided with the information, directions and supplies to develop a plan for their whole property or just a part, such as a back yard. This eight-week class will be offered in Mesquite on Tuesdays, September 9 – October 28, 2008 - 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Call UNCE at 702-346-7215 or 397-2604 or email proctorp@unce.unr.edu for more information.

The Cooperative Extension office receives hundreds of calls every year from homeowners with landscape and gardening problems. Many of those problems could be avoided if the homeowner had known more about our growing conditions, plant selection and irrigation design and installation. Whether you do the work yourself or hire it done, it pays to know at least the basics so you ask the right questions to ensure your finished landscape has a better than average chance to thrive in our harsh desert environment. For those who need professional help, the class includes information about hiring contractors and gives samples of contracts.

Now after the plug for the class, back to xeriscape. The term xeriscape comes from "xeros" the Greek word for dry. Combined with scape which literally means a picture or a view of a type of scene, we have the term for a dry landscape. Many people have a negative association with this word, thinking that all xeriscapes are hot, hostile and very thorny. Some associate the term with minimal plant material and lots of rock. To some, the incorrect use of the word is xero-scape, which equates to nothing! In fact, xeriscaping can and often is very attractive, quite lush and extremely colorful.

Searching on the web for the term xeriscape will bring up numerous site listings. Use of the term started in the West but has been applied in many other states as interest in water conservation increases so it is important to choose sites from areas with similar climate conditions as ours when looking for information or landscape ideas.

Two almost local sites with excellent information are the UNLV Landscape Grounds and Arboretum site at http://facilities.unlv.edu/landscape/arboretum.html and the Southern Nevada Water Authority(SNWA) Landscape pages at http://www.snwa.com/html/land_index.html. Both sites have great information and some excellent pictures. Both stress the importance of efficient irrigation system design utilizing the latest in technology where bubblers or drip emitters are placed accordingly for trees and shrubs which is essential to allow for low volume, deep soakings. It is very important to have separate valves for turf areas, low-water-use areas and for oasis areas that need water more often. Mulch covers on the soil surface help to reduce erosion, retain moisture and minimize the fluctuation in soil temperature.

The use of water-efficient plants does not necessarily mean drab, gray plants with lots of thorns or just cactus. The "green industry" has spent a considerable amount of time and money to introduce lush, colorful plants from all over the world. Many are well adapted to our desert conditions. You can see many examples at UNLV in the Xeric Garden and throughout the various building landscapes. SNWA operates the Gardens at the Springs Preserve which has an array of plants recommended for this area that can help you create the look you want at your home and still be water efficient.

Viewing examples of mature plants will give you a better appreciation of the space plants need and help you avoid over planting. Too many landscapes are planted densely in a belief that "more is better" and a desire to have a mature look at the time of planting. Too often, as the plants mature, the landscape takes on a cluttered appearance, with everything jammed into one another. Some open space will allow for better appreciation of the plants and contribute to their adult health and vigor.

New plantings require considerable amounts of water to survive the first or second year. Few if any plants can survive simply on the water provided by a drip emitter while in the establishment period. But once they become rooted in, start weaning your plants and attempt to provide deep, infrequent soakings that encourage deep rooting. Remember that once established, more plants are lost from being over-watered as compared to being overly dry.

Designing your own landscape can be overwhelming. If you don’t have the time or opportunity to take a class, the SNWA site is a great place to go for information and has the following sections: Find a Landscaper, Design and Planning, Dig In, Landscape Sample Designs, Gardens Around the Valley, Irrigation Tips, Landscape Awards (great pictures), Landscape Maintenance Tips, Seasonal Landscape Tips, and Watering Schedule.

Use these Landscape Design Tips from the SNWA site to ensure the design process goes smoothly.

• Check with your Homeowners’ Association for any landscaping requirements or restrictions.

• Decide in advance how much you can afford to spend on your landscape.

• Create a timeline to make the most of each season during the planting and installation process.

• Know your zones (mini-oasis, transition, arid).

• Take a gardening class.

• Take photos of eye-catching plants or plant groupings or landscape features you may want to use in your landscape.

• Consider blooming seasons when planning your landscape.

• Create a focal point for each part of your property. Use lines throughout your landscape to define the spaces and direct the eye to those focal points.

• Repeat shapes, textures and color to pull your landscape design together.

• Plan your irrigation system for several years in advance, accounting for plant growth and future water needs.

• Buy smaller plants to save money.

• Place trees first as an anchor and work your way outward. Be sure to allow enough room for root growth.

No matter what you call it--desert landscaping, water-efficient landscaping or xeriscaping--just remember, if you live in the desert, it is the right thing to do! Make the most of your landscape and you will enjoy it for many years to come!

The University of Nevada Cooperative Extension is an outreach arm of the University that extends unbiased, research-based knowledge from the University of Nevada—and other land-grant universities—to local communities. Educational programs are developed based on local needs, often in partnership with other agencies and volunteers. For more information about the University of Nevada Cooperative Extension, please visit the website at http://www.nce.unr.edu/ or call (702) 397-2604 or 346-7215.