Thanks Yamini. Glad to share it. Xeriscaping, Southwest, and Desert style design has become the major scope of what we do these days. I'm sure we'll get better at it as we do more. Thanks again.
Very nice !!!!! I really like the small gravel and the choice of plants. It makes a great addition to the home.The tile roof seems to stand out more with the color of the retaining wall.
Thank you Pam. Yes. It makes a huge difference in how the entire property is unified. Fortunately, we were able to match the block as close as we did. With several block plants within a small distance, we can generally match materials with most any property. The many different color choices of this type of block is one of the things that also makes it a good choice for do it yourselfers as well.
Just want to clarify something on the term Xeriscaping. The term does not necessarily mean a minimal use of plant material, with no grass, and permanent groundcover, such as gravel. It is easy to think that is what the term refers to, almost meaning desert-like.
The term Xeriscaping is more accurately referring to a properly designed garden area that minimizes the use of water. Therefore, it is possible to design a lush garden space that even has some
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lawn and it is still Xeriscaping. The proper design, installation, and maintenance can create a beautiful space, with lots of plant material, that is still Xeriscaping.
I would define xeriscaping as a method rather than a design style. You're right. Any design style can incorporate xeriscaping principles which this one does. The design style I would call more like Desert Southwest.
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Still because it practices a few xeriscaping principles such as terracing, moisture holding ground cover, and plants are actually set to water at different rates, I'll agree with the term xeriscape.
Just to elaborate about the plants watering on different rates - They are all on the same timed drip system. However, by using different sizes and quantities of emmitters, the trees and plants needing more water than the others, will get more in the same amount of time.
To use lawn in a landscape like this even in our climate could still work as a xeriscape if it is the right lawn type and watered properly. Something like Zoysia, Buffalo, and even some of the drought tolerant Fescues that are available these days would work well.
IT'S NICE TO SEE YARD DESIGN IN OTHER PARTS OF OUR GREAT COUNTRY . WHEN I FIRST VIEWED THE PHOTOS I IMMEDIATELY THOUGHT OF .......GARY ALLEN ........WHO HAD A GREAT GARDENING PROGRAM ON SATURDAY MORNING ON HGTV [ PRAY TELL ME WHY DO THEY USE THE G IN THEIR LOGO NOW ? ] . GARY NEVER USED A STRAIGHT LINE IN A DESIGN . AS A SIDE NOTE ......WHERE IS GARY ALLEN ? I'VE CALLED THE NUMBER ON HIS BUSINESS CARD AND GOOGLED HIS NAME .. MY SATURDAY MORNINGS WERE NOT COMPLETE WITHOUT GARY AND THE SAME GOES FOR THE SATURDAY AFTERNOON SEEING ERICA'S PROGRAM .
Landscape Design Site, I should have clarified my earlier post a little more. I do agree that your installation is xeriscaping. I wrote my post in regards to Yamini's post discussing it being nice to see a xeriscape photo posted. I wanted to expound on the full use of xeriscaping as it relates to water management principles, and not necessarily a style of garden.
For another example, we installed this garden several years ago, there is no irrigation system
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in the yard. We did install a 550 gallon rain harvesting cistern for the homeowners to use, but we only did that when Atlanta experienced a massive drought and was on a total water ban. The rain tank allows them to store some rainwater and then use it when we do not have any rain. Based on the principles, this installation is also xeriscaping. That was the purpose of my post, just to clarify the term. Great installation and nice job handling the hill.
Also, I am glad you pointed out that the small blocks are for low walls only. Sometimes, I feel as if no one ever reads the specifications on the small blocks.
Southern Trillium - You are clearly very knowledgeable on the subject. That is a very great idea and beautiful design as well. Water rationing has become mandatory in parts of our state where cisterns and water harvesting are catching on in a big way for folks who want to keep any amount of landscaping with plants.
Your work is very impressive and creative. Thank you for sharing it.
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Thanks to all for the good words. I'm glad you like the design. Glad to share it here with you.
The Landscape Design Site - we have a lot to learn in our area regarding water issues and know that you can probably share much more than we know. We used to take water for granted. Then we had a record drought the other year and the entire Atlanta area was put on a total outdoor water ban. Just imagine having all the clients with recently installed plants all of a sudden being told you cannot use any water outdoors.
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My learning curve was very steep and I did as much reading and research on the issues as I could. I found wonderful information from studies and publications from states such as yours, as well as Texas, and even parts of Colorado. Adding to the water restrictions, the City of Atlanta has greatly increased the price of water as the infrastructure is very outdated and the cost to repair and replace is being added to all billed customers. One of the main questions asked by clients within the City of Atlanta now is, "How much is this going to cost me to water." We all are learning together, in all parts of the country.
Southern Trillium - The cost of water has also become a question and consideration for us for all new designs as well. While it hasn't reached our area of the state yet, I've heard rumor that in the Northern part of the state, all lawn sprinkler designs have to be inspected for efficiency by a State licensed third party engineering firm before they can be put to the ground.
RECENTLY I WAS VISITING A FRIEND LIVING IN SUN CITY .......LOCATED NEAR GRIFFIN IN SPALDING COUNTY , GA . DUE TO A LOT OF FACTORS THE WATER BILLS THERE ARE OUT OF SIGHT .
I too would miss my grass, but as our water company has recently increased the garden watering costs by 45% then the grass has to go, jut can't afford it anymore.
I did some quick research, and found out that, for most situations, Atlanta does have the highest monthly water bills in the country. In the few situations where it isn't first, it is second. http://www.politifact.com/georgia/statements......»
As the article shares, the monthly bill for 7,500 gallons would be $154.30, and it would be $327.70 for 15,000 gallons.
As a comparison, I personally live in unincorporated Dekalb. To those in other parts of the country, we are only 14 miles from the dead center of the city of Atlanta. We have a septic tank, so no sewer fees. We average 4,200 gallons of water per month, and this costs us ~$10 per month.
As you can tell, water bills are quite an issue for people in the City of Atlanta.
And I just found this online calculator so you can see what a water bill will cost in the City of Atlanta. I had to round up our usage to 6 ccf, (which is just over our 4,400 gallons of water. It says our bill would be $107.02. Our monthly water bill would be ~$97 more per month if we lived within the city limits. That is over $1,000 per year, and my wife and I use a very small amount of water, considering we have 2 water features to keep operating, and live on over 2 acres with a lot
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of landscaping. As you can probably tell from our usage, I install plant materials that will not require much watering.
Andrena, if you go the the Florida Friendly Landscaping website sponsored by the University of Florida Extension Service, you will find a whole database of native and Florida-friendly plants that are thrifty with water and well-adapted to our climate. For starters, one of my favorites for almost season-long color and that needs almost no supplemental watering after it gets established, is bulbine.
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The term Xeriscaping is more accurately referring to a properly designed garden area that minimizes the use of water. Therefore, it is possible to design a lush garden space that even has some ...»
Thanks for pointing that out.
I would define xeriscaping as a method rather than a design style. You're right. Any design style can incorporate xeriscaping principles which this one does. The design style I would call more like Desert Southwest. ...»
Still because it practices a few xeriscaping principles such as terracing, moisture holding ground cover, and plants are actually set to water at different rates, I'll agree with the term xeriscape.
Just to elaborate about the plants watering on different rates - They are all on the same timed drip system. However, by using different sizes and quantities of emmitters, the trees and plants needing more water than the others, will get more in the same amount of time.
To use lawn in a landscape like this even in our climate could still work as a xeriscape if it is the right lawn type and watered properly. Something like Zoysia, Buffalo, and even some of the drought tolerant Fescues that are available these days would work well.
For another example, we installed this garden several years ago, there is no irrigation system ...»
Also, I am glad you pointed out that the small blocks are for low walls only. Sometimes, I feel as if no one ever reads the specifications on the small blocks.
It looks and maintains so great with no grass.
I would like to do that if I lived there.
CP
Your work is very impressive and creative. Thank you for sharing it. ...»
Thanks to all for the good words. I'm glad you like the design. Glad to share it here with you.
My learning curve was very steep and I did as much reading and research on the issues as I could. I found wonderful information from studies and publications from states such as yours, as well as Texas, and even parts of Colorado. Adding to the water restrictions, the City of Atlanta has greatly increased the price of water as the infrastructure is very outdated and the cost to repair and replace is being added to all billed customers. One of the main questions asked by clients within the City of Atlanta now is, "How much is this going to cost me to water." We all are learning together, in all parts of the country.
As the article shares, the monthly bill for 7,500 gallons would be $154.30, and it would be $327.70 for 15,000 gallons.
As a comparison, I personally live in unincorporated Dekalb. To those in other parts of the country, we are only 14 miles from the dead center of the city of Atlanta. We have a septic tank, so no sewer fees. We average 4,200 gallons of water per month, and this costs us ~$10 per month.
As you can tell, water bills are quite an issue for people in the City of Atlanta.
Here is the online calculator http://www.atlantawatershed.org/billcalculat...
http://www.floridayards.org/