Corinth Xeriscape Controversy

goo0h · Joined: 07 May 2004 Posts: 127 Location: Denton,TEXAS

A controversy over some xeriscaping in Corinth, Texas hit the front page of the Denton paper this Sunday morning.

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedcontent/dws/drc/localnews/stories/DRC_yard_9-17.18cb59e8.html

Tony M · Joined: 31 Mar 2003 Posts: 1088 Location: McKinney,TEXAS

Thanks for the article gooOh-
Archaeologists will look back on us some day and ask why we did things like this to ourselves. The biggest crop grown in America is turf, using expensive fertilizer, all kinds of "cides" and as you are pointing out, scarce water. We deplete the water supplies, foul the waterways and burn precious oil to cut it so it can be thrown away. So sad.
Tony M

Eden's Garden · Posted: Sat Sep 23, 2006 10:40 am Post subject:

You would think Xeriscape was a 4-letter word! But, as in the article, the status of wealth was hand in hand with a lush green lawn and the ability to afford labor for maintenance, etc. Although now, it soon will be a status of lack of concern over conservation or foolishness with one's money I think. Water has to fall from the sky - we haven't figured out how to make it, yet, and to waste it the way we do on landscaping is shameful. Therefore, I will continue to heavily promote xeriscape principals and focus on drought tolerant plantings at my shop. While I still offer some of the old favorites that aren't water savvy, I encourage that they be kept to limited plantings or put into pots as to conserve water overall.

I wish folks would get the idea out of their heads that xeriscape means messy, tall grass or rocks and cactus. Had those folks decided on a buffalo grass lawn and some smaller more formal looking perennials out front, no one would have been the wiser I bet. I applaud Austin and San Antonio and hope Dallas and all of DFW follows soon!

Eden's Organic Garden Center
214-348-EDEN

Tree Dude · Joined: 08 Jan 2005 Posts: 264 Location: Saginaw,TX

Some folks just don't know how to enjoy life or themselves.
I would like more "color" in our landscapes than the same same. Actually, the trees,especially oaks and other such great trees, is whole lot more valuable and more attractive than any other vegetations in the landscape. So what are we to do concerning trees?Do they must be under 6 in. too? Some nutheads wanted shade, so they planted tree, but when it gets bigger, they want to cut it down or topped it because of the concern of lawn.
Mowing and lawning is not going to get of the bad critters. They showed up because people encourage them to, food source that is. On our property, we had had corn snakes, mice, rabbits, black widow spiders(killed them with shoes),toads,hawks,geckos and other wildlife.
The folks just needs to get out more!

Tree Dude

Tricky Grama · Posted: Sun Sep 24, 2006 7:27 am Post subject: xeriscape

I want to do a 'semi-xeriscape' in our back yard. I suppose I could just use the internet for ideas, but really want to do what is native here in N. TX.

The reason I'm wanting this is not only to conserve water & b/c I think it looks really cool, but b/c our St Aug never returned last spring! The front is kind of OK but NO grass in the back. Just tan mesh. :cry:

So I'm wondering, will the dead St. A. runners serve as a 'cover crop'? Can I spread lava sand, compost, etc, over the top & then just plant? I REALLY don't want to till.

Patty