Low-Water Landscaping For Dummies

Introduction 1

Part 1: Getting Started with Low-Water Landscaping 5

Chapter 1: Lacking Water? No Problem 7

Chapter 2: Conserving and Harvesting Water 21

Chapter 3: Waste Not, Want Not: Watering Strategically 41

Chapter 4: Making Soil Your Ally 61

Chapter 5: Watering with Irrigation Systems 83

Part 2: Making Smart Plant Choices 101

Chapter 6: Choosing Flowers 103

Chapter 7: Selecting Succulents 121

Chapter 8: In It for the Long Haul: Shrubs, Vines, and Trees 139

Chapter 9: Raising Edible Foods 157

Chapter 10: Planting and Caring for Low-Water Plants 175

Part 3: Leaving Your Lawn Behind 203

Chapter 11: Taking Out a Lawn 205

Chapter 12: Replacing Grass with Low-Water Solutions 221

Chapter 13: Considering Artificial Turf 241

Chapter 14: Pondering Rock Gardening 249

Part 4: Landscaping with Watering Needs in Mind 263

Chapter 15: Appreciating Mulch and Other Helpful Products 265

Chapter 16: Keeping Water in Your Yard 283

Chapter 17: Succeeding with Potted Plants 297

Chapter 18: Including Water Features in Your Landscape 307

Chapter 19: Updating Xeriscaping for Today’s Low-Water Landscapes 317

Part 5: The Parts of Tens 325

Chapter 20: Ten Ways to Avoid Wasting Landscape Water 327

Chapter 21: Ten Great-Looking, Low-Water Plants 333

Index 341