We asked local resident Cheryl Bradley about her experiences with xeriscaping (using native and drought tolerant plants).
Walking the Talk: 5 Questions with Cheryl Bradley
1. Tell me about your experience with xeriscaping? My husband Lorne and I used xeriscaping principles to convert our lawn-dominated front yard in 2008 and back yard in 2011 to a more diverse, attractive landscape. For fifteen years now we have enjoyed, more than we imagined, the prairie urban garden that surrounds our 1949 two-storey southern Lethbridge home. Converting was not cheap, nor without considerable effort. However, yard maintenance is easier, even fun, and requires much less water, no inorganic fertilizer, hardly any herbicide and no GHG-emitting motors. Our garden provides visual interest in all seasons, from both outside and inside our home. We practice living in harmony with our evolving xeriscape rather than controlling it.
2. How and why did you get started? We are prairie biologists. Since moving into our home in 1991 we resented the time and resources spent on nurturing the rather boring, water-greedy Kentucky bluegrass lawns and annual flower beds. Our minds turned towards creating a landscape more in keeping with the semi-arid prairie environment in which we live. It took fifteen years to renovate our home inside and out for energy efficiency, build a garage, line our septic drain and replace the patio, driveway and front steps. Meanwhile I consulted books on gardening, talked with colleagues about growing native plants and toured many gardens.
Through volunteer work with the Oldman Watershed Council in the early 2000s I was introduced to the seven principles of xeriscaping that contribute to water conservation and protecting quality of stormwater. The first and most important step is to create a landscape plan. After a few inept starts we realized we needed professional help and were lucky to find Kirsten Hironaka with Earthlings Landscape Design and Construction in Lethbridge. Kirsten immediately understood our vision and applied her artistic sense and understanding of landscape design to help us make it a reality.
3. What was your biggest challenge? There were several challenges. The first was deciding what parts of our old landscape to keep and what parts to let go. The next was determining where to place hard-surfaced pathways and sitting areas as well as the area for an annual vegetable garden and compost bin. Choosing and then sourcing the drought-tolerant plants with the desired form, structure, texture and colour (for all seasons) to fulfill the landscape design was also challenging, but fun.
Once we had a complete plan and the required materials, we were in the fortunate financial position to hire strong, experienced younger people to do the de-construction, construction and planting. We also purchased rain barrels to gather water from the roof and ample bark mulch to control weeds and retain soil moisture between plants. Paying the bills was made less challenging knowing this was a priority for us.
Establishing a turf of native blue grama grass in our front yard took two tries but now it is self-sustaining. It has been hard to see a few of the newly-planted trees, shrubs and perennials fail to survive, however the large majority are thriving. We are learning as we go.
4. What’s your best tip for someone who might be thinking about xeriscaping their yard? Be clear about your goals and your constraints. Review the principles of xeriscaping (here). Prepare a plan that reflects these. Seek advice and help if needed.
5. What’s one wish you have for Lethbridge when it comes to outdoor water conservation? I wish for increased understanding among all residents of the value of water and the limits to its use in our semi-arid prairie environment where prolonged periods of drought have occurred in the past and will occur in future. Monthly water utility bills allow us to easily track our metred water use and understand how our choices impact water demand. For example, a review of my household’s water bills before and after xeriscaping our yard suggest we have substantially reduced (by ~50%) our summer water use. Collectively adjusting our perception of attractive landscaping towards xeriscaping and developing ways of achieving it in our yards and public spaces will take time; however it is important for resilience of our community in a warmer, drier future.