Tired of wasting water and money to achieve a lush lawn and garden? Maybe you should try Xeriscape — using creative landscaping to conserve water.

Xeriscape is a combination of seven common-sense gardening principles that save water while creating a lush and colorful landscape:

1. Plan and design for water conservation and beauty.
2. Create turf areas of manageable sizes and grasses.
3. Select low-water plants.
4. Use soil amendments, such as compost or manure.
5. Use mulches to reduce evaporation and keep soil cool.
6. Irrigate efficiently.
7. Maintain the landscape properly.

Originally developed in Colorado for drought-afflicted areas, Xeriscape is now used across the country in efforts to be more environmentally conscious. The practice offers many benefits:

• Saves water – Reduces landscape water use by 60 percent or more.
• Improves property value – Can increase property value by as much as 15 percent.
• Less maintenance – Aside from occasional pruning and weeding, maintenance is minimal.
• No fertilizers or pesticides – Using plants native to your area will eliminate the need for chemical supplements.