Xeriscape (pronounced “zera-scape”) gardening is a water efficient method of gardening. While the term Xeriscape gardening can sound intimidating to some, it is actually a simple method of gardening that can be used for many different types of gardening. Rather than replacing the way you currently do your gardening, think of Xeriscape gardening as an additional technique that will make your water usage more “green” by using less to grow more.

Using the principles of Xeriscape gardening will allow you to plant and maintain your annuals, perennials, vegetables and trees in the most water-wise manner possible. Now, you will not have to use as much water for the same numbers of plants that you would like to grow in you garden or lawn area.

With as much as 25% of our water supply being used to maintain lawns and gardens, it is becoming increasingly important to learn to plant wisely, taking into account the type of soil you have, the sun exposure needs of your plants and the water needs of your plants.

There is no need to simply go without a plant that uses water heavily however, planting heavy water users all together will help save water and will also make the low water users in your garden happier. This method is one of the key elements to Xeriscape gardening.

You should also become familiar with the hydroponic method of gardening, which uses no soil.

With hydroponic gardening, nutrients are introduced directly to the root systems of the plants without having to be fed through the soil. This allows the plants to put less growth energy into the root system and more energy into producing foliage and fruit. Foliage plants will be bigger and fuller, and vegetable plants will produce more and larger vegetables.

Hydroponic gardens do not require large amounts of land or yard space. A balcony, deck or even an inside room can be used to grow large amounts of foliage and vegetable plants.

While the cost of setting up a hydroponic garden may be higher than planting a traditional garden, the results will more than make up for the initial investment.

The history of hydroponics is quite interesting as the initial idea was first formulated by Woodward way back in 1699. The theory remained to its books until the 1840’s from which point some Botanists tried to develop the basic system.

The biggest advantage of hydroponics is that it requires little or no land space as does regular farming. Hydroponics water is usually re-circulated saving energy and nutrients needed by the system. This ensures that energy and efficiency is optimum.

Although the history of hydroponics goes back in centuries, hydroponics was known to the wider world during the 70s and 80s. Since the world economy started constant warnings about food crisis around the world, more studies were directed towards producing more crops out of less space and cost. As solutions, there have been number of concepts introduced and hydroponics was chosen as one of the best solution to be implemented commercially.

The arrangements of stacks and the layout of the hydroponics greenhouse play key roles when it comes to reducing the cost. When more vertical stacks are used, the space requirement lowers. This produces the more amount of crop per square meter. When it comes to layouts, the design should adhere to the basic principles of physics.

First of all, the layout should support maximum sunlight intake, so the need of artificial lights can be reduced. Next, the layout should support proper liquid flow, where water based solution is used for giving the required nutrition to the plants. If the flow is designed for the maximum efficiency, the liquid solution can be reused a number of times before it expires.

In hydroponics greenhouses, lighting plays a major role. The plants should be supported with adequate amount of lighting for proper growth of crops. In addition to the sunlight, there should be a mechanism for artificial lighting. Usually, glow lights are used for lighting hydroponics greenhouses artificially. These glow lights are available in different sizes and types. If you have a specific or personalized hydroponics greenhouse, then you can get the lights customized to your requirements as well.

Once the routine of a hydroponics greenhouse is automated, there is no requirement for human intervention. Usually, almost all the commercial hydroponics greenhouses are fully automated, making sure the human labor is only required for supervision purposes. Although the capital investment is quite high for automating a greenhouse, it has a high ROI (Return on Investment) during the years to come.

One glance through a gardening magazine, and we are showered with images of pristine gardens, beautifully appointed with hundreds of varieties of plants, trees, and shrubs. While many of us aspire to have yards as beautiful as those in a magazine, few of us have the time or resources to achieve such perfection. However, with a little work and some good planning, even those of us with the blackest of thumbs will feel good about our efforts in the garden.

When reviewing your outdoor space, try to identify those areas that you’re not very happy with. What do you want to change about them? Do you need some additional flowers or other plants? Perhaps the space doesn’t feel balanced? Climbing plants may be just the answer you are looking for to solve a variety of common problems in outdoor areas.

Many plants, both annual and perennial, fall into the category of climbing plants. The more common climbers are clematis, morning glory, ivy, and honeysuckle. However, many plants that spread along the ground like creeping phlox and periwinkle can provide coverage for unsightly spaces in your outdoor area, as well.

Climbing plants can be used to solve a myriad of problems in your outdoor spaces. For example, do you have something unsightly that you need to cover, such as a garage wall, tree stump, or electrical meter? Use climbing plants to cover it up! They not only change the view you are seeing, but they can also provide color and fragrance to an area. Consider putting up a trellis on the side of your shed to soften it up with a burst of color and fragrance. Climbers can also provide coverage of retaining walls and fences with little effort.

While climbing plants can be trained to climb a trellis or wall, they can also be planted in a pot and allowed to cascade downward, or used as a groundcover. If you have some areas of the garden where bare soil is showing, consider using a vine or other groundcover plant to hide those bare spots.

Lack of privacy is another major issue that homeowners commonly cite when asked why they dislike their yards or gardens. Perhaps you have neighbors that are a little too close? A trellis, arbor, or pergolas is a great solution to this problem. Climbing plants will easily climb and cover these structures, providing privacy and beauty to your yard. Pergolas and arbors can also be used over pathways or gates, or to mark a transition from front yard or side yard into a backyard. In all of these places, consider planting a climbing vine at the base of the structure. Within a few months, you’ll have a stunning focal point for your yard.

Climbing plants are usually pretty self-sufficient and require little care to grow. Of course, there are the basic needs like sun and water. You might also want to be aware of the soil type or soil pH level that the plant requires, though with climbers this is usually a less important consideration. Obviously, the most important thing to consider when planting a climber is providing some support structure upon which it can grow. When allowing climbers to grow near buildings, it’s important to keep a close eye on the plant so it doesn’t get out of control. Some very vigorous climbers can damage homes, garages, or barns when allowed to grow unchecked.