Xeriscape Demonstration Garden

Xeriscaping is the art of creating water-conserving landscapes by efficient watering techniques and selecting plants that are appropriate to the natural environment. The term xeriscape is derived from the Greek word, Xeros, which means dry. Xeriscapes are not dry and dull! Well-designed xeriscapes are beautiful and functional.

The best xeriscapes use a fraction of the water needed by traditional lawn-dominated landscapes. Some xeric plants require little or no supplemental watering once they are established and xeriscapes require far less ongoing maintenance

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In today's world of concerns about depreciating water resources, xeriscape is an ideal way to "live green." More than fifty percent of residential water used, in the western United States, is used to keep landscapes and lawns green. Xeriscape can reduce this by 60% or more.

With water demands and usage increasing rapidly, we need to find ways to use water more efficiently. Efficient water use means finding ways to have attractive, landscapes without excessive water use.

Xeriscaping will help beautify your home and increase its value - as much as 15%! Using plants and landscaping that is native to the area in which you live can conserve water, time, money and the landscape will retain its beauty during times of drought.

The first part of this proposal is factual. Water is a precious, scarce and declining resource. We use up to 60% of our residential water on watering our lawns and gardens. The second part of this proposal is opinion - that a xeriscape demonstration garden would help us in Lost Creek find ways to reduce our use of water, and that one should be part of the Marshall Tract development..

Here's an outline of the proposal:

• What is xeriscaping?
• Why do we need it?
• What is a xeriscape demonstration gardne?
• What are some examples?
• What are the benefits of xeriscaping?
• What is the Marshall Tract?
• Why does Lost Creek need a park with a garden?
• Why should the Marshall Tract not be developed other than into a park?

You can read the proposal here.