Xeriscaping takes effort

I’m a big fan of drought-tolerant grasses.

Bermuda and buffalo grass are my favorites. Both are found in great supply around my place, and I’ve watched them hang on through years of rain famine with little care.

link Sandy Fields

While I’m committed to saving our precious water supply, I’ll tell you I’m not a big fan of gravel on top of plastic. Since I’ve spent many mornings pulling weeds out of just such a configuration, I know whereof I speak.

My experiment with the procedure yields these results: It takes about three years for enough airborne dirt to settle in amongst the rocks to give weeds plenty of soil to thrive. At first their roots will form a horizontal system, but by year four they’ll burrow right through the plastic.

If you think putting a thicker plastic barrier will work, you’ve not had the pleasure of replacing sewage lines infiltrated by roots. I’ve also taken part in projects of this nature.

Xeriscaping requires much effort. Be prepared for lots of hand-pulling or plenty of poison spraying. Perhaps I’m a one-person crusade, but I believe grass varieties that can survive on little water should count as xeriscape material.

Sandy Fields keeps an online journal at her website http://www.field-days.com

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