Reduce the grass

Most families need lawn areas for the kids, the dogs and for entertaining. The secret to a xeriscape landscape is to:

1. Determine what grass you actually use and remove the rest (if you only walk on it when you mow it, get rid of it!)

2. Choose a type of grass that is suited to the site and is as drought-tolerant as possible (sometimes Kentucky blue

grass is the right answer and sometimes it isn't)

3. Modify your overhead sprinkler system to water just the lawn areas efficiently

4. Plant the remaining bed areas with xerics trees, shrubs, perennials, succulents and grasses

5. Install a drip irrigation system to water the bed areas and cover them with 3-4" of organic mulch

The result will be a beautiful, colorful landscape that will take much less water and maintenance.