Converting to Xeriscape for maximum water savings

One way to reduce your outdoor water use is by properly watering your grass. The other way is to convert some or all of your grass to Xeriscape.

Xeriscape is derived from the Greek word xeros meaning dry and is defined as creative landscaping for water and energy efficiency. Xeriscape is not just rocks and cactus, though. There are hundreds of beautiful, low water use plants that can attract wildlife such as hummingbirds, provide shade, and decorate your landscape with year-round color.

The key to a successful conversion is to thoroughly kill the grass in the area you want to convert. This helps minimize maintenance issues in the future. Apply glyphosate, a contact herbicide, directly on the grass. This may require two or more applications, which should be done about one week apart. The best time to kill the grass is in the late summer, when the grass is actively growing. Watering the grass to “green it up” will also increase the herbicide’s effectiveness. Be careful not to spray the plants you’ve decided to keep. 

Once your grass is dead, you have three choices. First, you can scalp the grass close to the ground. The second option is to rototill the area. Rototill when the soil is slightly damp, so the machine’s teeth dig deep into the soil. You may want to rake the grass roots from the dirt after rototilling to help prevent them from rejuvenating. The third option, which is the most effective, is to remove three or four inches of dead grass with a tractor or sod cutter. Both pieces of equipment can be rented or you may want to hire a landscape professional, depending on the amount of grass you are removing. While it does take a bit of work to remove your grass, the water saving benefits can be significant. It requires 35,000 gallons per year to properly water 1,000 sq feet of turf, while low water use plants use only 15,000 gallons for the same amount of space. And maintenance will be easier, too. 

City of Mesa Utilities Conservation has several publications to assist you with your conversion. Request a free copy of Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert, a plant selection guide, or Converting to Xeriscape: Renovate Your Landscape with Style.

The City of Mesa offers a Grass-to-Xeriscape rebate. For more information, visit www. cityofmesa.org/utilities/conservation/grass-to-xeriscape-rebate.aspx.