SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 2015
EASTOREGONIAN.COM • PAGE 11
HOME & GARDEN
XERISCAPING:
“The genetics of the
plant are what’s going to
help it survive in extreme
continued from page 2
temperatures or drought or
Extension Service, dif- whatever else we throw at
ferent plants should also LW´ VKH VDLG ³,I WKH\ DUH
be grouped into watering surviving in that type of
zones with other plants that situation now, and they’re
have similar needs. The producing seed, that means
publication lists a variety of that they have the genetic
trees, shrubs, vines, fruits, capability to do that so their
grasses, groundcovers and RIIVSULQJZLOODVZHOO´
perennials suitable for
OSU Hermiston Agricul-
planting in central and east- tural Research & Extension
ern Oregon, and Redberg Center Director Phil Hamm
said plants with minimal said it is important to select
water requirements can also plants that are “cold hardy
be selected from the Natu- IRURXU]RQH´WRVXUYLYHWKH
ral Resources Conservation winter.
Service’s “Plant Species for
He said succulent plants,
Pollinator Habitat in the In- such as cacti, that are suited
ODQG3DFL¿F1RUWKZHVW´
to the local zone can pro-
Redberg said native vide color to a landscape
plant species are amazingly while requiring little water.
resilient and suited for the
“Be sure to pick the right
local climate and that it is plants for our zone, and if
DOVRLPSRUWDQWWRWU\WR¿QG you do, be sure to follow
plants from seeds produced the directions that come
locally.
ZLWK LW WR HVWDEOLVK LW´ KH
said. “Be sure to water it
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Hamm said people may
choose to use xeriscaping
at their homes or business-
es to save time and money,
while still creating an at-
tractive environment.
“It really comes down to
how much time you want
to spend in your yard and
how you want your yard to
ORRN´ KH VDLG ³:KHQ \RX
do xeriscaping, it can look
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For more information
about xeriscaping, visit
http://extension.oregon-
state.edu/yamhill/sites/de-
IDXOW¿OHVDQBLQWURGXFWLRQB
WRB[HULVFDSLQJSGI
For a list of plant spe-
cies for pollinator habi-
tat in the inland North-
west, visit http://www.
nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/
) 6 ( B 3 / $ 1 7 0 $7 ( 5 , -
$/6SXEOLFDWLRQVZDSPF-
po9185.pdf.
Xeriscaping 101
According to “An Introduction to
Xeriscaping in the High Desert,”
by the Oregon State University
Extension Service, people should
follow seven steps to successfully
design a landscape with minimal
water requirements:
STEP 1: Planning
Carefully design the area to meet
your needs and desires.
STEP 2: Zoning
Plants should be placed in zones
with other plants with similar
water requirements.
STEP 3: Soil
Know your soil and how it affects
water absorption and add organic
matter, such as compost, before
planting.
STEP 4: Irrigation
Whether automatic or manual,
plan to irrigate efficiently.
STEP 5: Turf
Determine where to place
turf, if desired, and consider
low-water use varieties, such
as tall fescues or a combination
blend of fine fescue, peren-
nial ryegrass and Kentucky
bluegrass.
STEP 6: Mulching
Bark chips, post peelings, com-
post or rock mulch should be
used to reduce weeds, minimize
evaporation, cool the soil and
prevent erosion.
STEP 7: Maintenance
Although xeriscaping requires
less maintenance, it is still im-
portant to prune, mow, water,
weed, fertilize and manage
pests as necessary.
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