Xeriscape Gardening Tips
Updated January 31, 2011
Did you know that...
- 66 percent of all water is used by residential consumers.
- 50 percent of that is used for gardens and lawns.
- More plants die from overwatering than from lack of water.
- Water conservation is sensible and can have beautiful results.
You can conserve water and save money by planting water-saving plants and trees at home. The specimens found in the City's Water Saving Garden all have low to moderate water needs and simple maintenance requirements and are readily available in local nurseries.
Good irrigation systems are key to a water-conserving garden. The City's water-saving garden at Cerritos Park East uses an automatic drip irrigation system that delivers water directly to plant roots, eliminating waste water due to overspray. Drip irrigation also reduces evaporation, which can be a major waste of water during warm weather. You can adjust your drip system at home as the weather and seasons change.
Also in the City garden, shredded mulch is applied to a depth of 2 1/2 to 3 inches to retain soil moisture, smother weeds and recycle the nutrients from plant clippings.
For more information on the City's Water Saving Garden, call the Cerritos Public Works Department at (562) 860-0311.