I am not an environmentalist, never was-never will be. So now you are asking yourself where did Dena leave her mind? The truth is I have always (ask my mother) enjoyed the out doors. Trees have always fascinated me. The first words I ever put to paper were about Daisies. Not long ago I took my camera out just to take pictures of rocks. The energy savings, sustain ability and environmental blogs are just perks of my natural curiosity and personality.

Interesting Facts about Xeriscape                                                             

For most of the western United States over fifty percent of residential water used is applied to landscape and lawns. Xeriscape can reduce landscape water use by 60% or more.

In some areas, terms such as drought-tolerant landscaping and smart scaping are used instead.

Advantages
  • lower water bills
  • more water available for other uses and other people                                                                                    
  • less time and work needed for maintenance
  • the gardener can be lazy during the hot dry months
  • little or no lawn mowing
  • xeriscape plants along with proper bed design tends to take full advantage of rainfall
  • when water restrictions are implemented, xeriscape plants will tend to survive, while more traditional plants may not
  • increased habitat for native bees, butterflies, and other fauna

Disadvantages

  • requires planning, especially if color is desired throughout the season, as most perennials do not bloom continuously
  • may require more start-up work to prepare beds for planting than simply laying sod
  • some homeowners' associations may object to non-traditional plants
  • requires that people moving from water-abundant to water-scarce areas change their mindset as to what types of plants they are able to practically and economically maintain          
  • may have to substitute one type of plant for another
  • xeriscape beds require periodic maintenance which is more involved than simply mowing and edging, especially to maintain color. Weeds and trash may also be more of a problem than in a traditional lawn.
  • more complicated irrigation systems may be required
  • xeriscape plants can waste water if irrigation is not properly managed
  •                                                                                                                                   
 
This post has been included in Colorado Information

7 Comments on Confessions of a Non Environmentalist

Interesting blog. That may be why I am stuck here in the deep south. I love the tropical plants. Maybe we could send you water and you guys could sned us some rocks. i just ordered a local plant book as holiday gift for me.I moed my grass this weekend for the last time this year.

12/13/2006 10:41 PM by Eric Bouler (Prudential Gardner)


Dena ~ did you know that the term "xeriscape" was originally coined by the Denver Water Department?

kk

12/13/2006 10:56 PM by Kristal Kraft ~ Denver Real Estate (The Berkshire Group Realtors)


Dena, thanks for sharing more about yourself. I always assume that eco-brokers are always environmentalists by nature. Guess that's what I get for assuming! Interesting stuff though...thanks!

12/14/2006 12:55 AM by Rich Jacobson ~ ActiveRain Community Builder (ActiveRain Corporation)


Big stuff here... for obvious reasons. Everyone knows Phoenix is in a desert. But my Mom's in Colorado Springs and she doesn't get a whole lot more precipitation than we do.

 

A world record for blog commenting!

http://www.ThompsonsRealty.com
http://www.PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com

 

12/14/2006 02:56 AM by Jay & Francy Thompson (Thompson's Realty)


Jay, Francy, Eric, Rich and KK - thanks for stopping by. I truely believe that those who spend at least some time incorporating some of this knowledge into their real estate language will be in front of the crowds. While I am not an alarmist, I do believe people are going to be forced to acknowledge that the planet is becoming smaller and more polluted. Those of us in the west understand this. Westerners understand that water isn't a given, the tap isn't always running..........................

 KK - I bet the person who came up with Xero scaping was a transplant from Boulder. Or as Oliver would say 'The Republic of Boulder'

12/14/2006 01:01 PM by Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor (Colorado Western Real Estate)


in front of the crowds as you say, Dena...and in a "win-win-win" scenario. Like you, I do not consider myself to be an environmentalist, but I am a big fan of Nature.

12/15/2006 10:42 PM by Asheville's GREEN Land & Homes ECO-Steward Realty


In drought periods we have restricted water use for landscaping, and grass suffers - much better to select your landscaping materials with this in mind.

12/16/2006 06:30 AM by Sharon Simms St Pete Florida CRS CIPS CLHMS (RE/MAX Metro)


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Real Estate Agent: Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor        (Colorado Western Real Estate)
Dena Stevens ~ Ecobroker ~So. Colorado Realtor
Pueblo, CO
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Colorado Western Real Estate

Cell Phone: (719) 369-9087
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Real Estate with a focus is on energy efficiency, sustainablity, and the environment.

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