Our Latest Project

BEFORE

This project was long overdue. Finally got the front yard a face lift. We generally make great progress in the spring and fall, but just muddle through during the hot months trying to keep everything watered and mowed.


AFTER. Still a lot of work to do. Plan to plant native shrubs and flowers that are drought resistant, low maintenance, annuals. Our county extension published a great guide called Xeriscape. Xeriscape landscaping, by definition, is landscaping designed specifically for areas that are susceptible to drought, or for properties where water conservation is practiced. Derived from the Greek xeros meaning "dry," the term, xeriscape means literally "dry landscape."

Note that "xeriscape" is pronounced as if it began with the letter, Z. This sometimes leads to the misspelling, "zeroscape." But xeriscape landscaping techniques needn't result in a "big zero" for landscape design aesthetics. In fact, as most people employ the term, xeriscape landscaping needn't be limited to desert plants, such as cacti. Rather, a xeriscape landscaping policy allows you to use the plants you want, but insists on common-sense measures that will help conserve water, such as grouping plants with similar water requirements together.


Do ya like Bruce's giant Texas belt buckle on the front of our home? And yes, we voted for McCain/Palin. We were very disappointed in the election results. I've said all along that getting a new President is only half the battle: what we really need is new blood in the House and Senate.