Abstract

Xeriscaping is a form of landscaping that uses little to no water. Xeriscaping does this by utilizing natural plants that can survive with little water. Xeriscaping is practiced in places of dry climate where fresh water is not readily available or scarce. This report answers the thesis question. How can xeriscape landscaping be adapted onto an existing site in Kamloops and blend in with non-xeriscaped landscapes surrounding it?
This report analyses five aspects of adapting a xeriscaped yard onto a specific site in Kamloops. The five aspects are materials, maintenance, expense, popularity, and climate.
Climate of the area is analyzed in order to answer the question of which plants and soils are to be used for a xeriscape landscaped yard. The aspects of the climate that will be most specifically analyzed are rainfall and temperature ranges of the area.
This report assesses the materials needed to create a xeriscape yard. Plants are analyzed for there suitability to a xeriscape landscape. Also there ability to fit in with plants of surrounding non xeriscaped yards. They are also analyzed for there ability to stand up to the climate. The question of whether or not to go with grass or covering the yard in a bedding material is analyzed. Soils are assessed for there ability to retain water and chosen appropriately for Kamloops and the site. Bedding materials such as mulch and bedding gravel are assessed for esthetics. They are also assessed on which one will be suitable for the site and its ability to let water seep into the soil.
Maintenance of the site is also analyzed. Maintenance being irrigation, pruning, and lawn care. Irrigation is assessed on what will be suitable for the site and climate. The use of rain water is analyzed for its feasibility on the site. Also other forms of unnatural irrigation are analyzed for use when natural irrigation methods cannot be used. The maintenance of pruning is analyzed on plant and tree choice and the need for it. Lawn care is analyzed on the fact that grass has been chosen in order to fit in with surrounding yards. The analysis shows ways of sustainable lawn care.
Expenses are analyzed by what materials, irrigation system and lawn care methods that have been chosen for the site. The report shows the least expensive solutions for the site and how other people can adapt these methods to there sites.
The popularity of the site is determined by analyzing a survey of people who would like xeriscape yards to be incorporated into traditionally landscaped neighborhoods.
In conclusion this report analyzes the climate of Kamloops, materials suitable for the site and there ability to blend into traditionally landscaped neighborhoods, the maintenance and irrigation of the site, as well as the expense of a xeriscaped yard, the of a xeriscaped yard being implemented into a traditionally landscaped neighborhood and then how these findings will be implemented onto the site and what materials and maintenance will be used.


Sources:
Thomas Christopher.Water Wise Gardening. Simon and Schuster, February 1994.

Theodore D. Walker. Residential Landscaping Vol 1: Planning Design and Construction.
PDA Publishers, 1982.

Denver Water. Xeriscape Plant Guide. Fulcrum Publishing, January 1999.

Jim Knopf. Water Wise Landscaping with Trees, Shrubs, and Vines: A Xeriscape Guide for the Rocky Mountain Region. Chamisa Books, May 1, 2005.

Gayle Weinstein. Xeriscape Handbook. Fulcrum Publishing, May 1999.

Warren D. Jones, and Mary Rose Duffield. Plants for Dry Climates: How to Select, Grow and Enjoy. Fisher Books, September 2001.

Don Marshall. Northwest Landscaping. Creative Homeowner, December 1, 2006.