We can reduce both water consumption and contamination by altering the landscape so that its water requirements are met largely by natural precipitation. The term "xeriscape" is used to describe this approach. It means "water conservation through creative landscaping." It is a registered trademark of the National Xeriscape Council, Inc. of Austin, Texas, a non-profit organization dedicated to water conservation. The principles associated with the concept of xeriscape have been long advocated on the Prairies. They include: appropriate planing and design, soil improvement, efficient irrigation, practical turf areas, appropriate plant selection, use of mulches, and maintenance. Most Prairies gardeners have been using some or all of the xeriscape principles for years simply because it made common sense to do so. The word is what's new (except to the Greeks). The principles and practice are not. The benefits of xeriscape are many. Reduced water consumption is environmentally as well as financially friendly. And, like it or not, in the future, the water supply we now take for granted simply may not be available. The xeriscape principles such as design, mulching, and efficient irrigation also reduce landscape maintenance. The xeriscape principle of appropriate plant selection has the added benefit of reducing fertilizer and pesticide use. by Sara Williams http://www.ag.usask.ca/cofa/departments/hort/hortinfo/yards/xeri1.html