A xeriscape garden is a garden designed with water conservation in mind. Water is a finite natural resource and these gardens help to conserve water while also beautifying our landscapes.
Xeriscape gardens use durable trees, shrubs, flowers and grasses. The Shawnee County Extension Master Gardeners’ Xeriscape Demonstration Garden is designed to demonstrate plants that grow with limited water and attention under our local weather and soil conditions.
In a xeriscape garden, sunlight is a key factor and protecting your plants from direct sun, or afternoon sun can improve plant’s ability to retain water. Planting small, medium and large trees can all help shade (either fully or partially) plants to reduce water lost through evaporation or heat stress. Structures like arbors and buildings may help as well, but in some cases, buildings may reflect the heat, making the garden warmer.
For anyone battling weeds in their lawns, chemical sprays may seem like the obvious first choice. Although herbicides can be extremely effective weed control, they are the final step in a well-rounded weed control program that begins with planning and cultivating a healthy lawn.
The first step in a weed-free lawn is knowing the type of grass you are trying to grow and the square feet of lawn area you have. Second, identify the weed or weeds you are trying to eradicate. This can be the most challenging part of the process. No single product or practice will control all weeds for the entire season, so without proper identification, control methods may be in vain.
Shawnee County s free tax assistance program for those who need help filing returns is being conducted by mail and the deadline to get such help is fast approaching.