Solving State’s Water Shortage

Many homeowners may not be familiar with xeriscaping, a style of landscaping that uses less water than conventional gardening.

Xeriscaping doesn’t mean all rock or concrete gardens. Rather, xeriscaping effectively uses automated sprinklers with check valves to avoid low area flooding, sensors that can evaluate moisture content and a balanced planting of drought-resistant and other plants that can be complemented by tall fescues, Bermuda or St. Augustine grasses for green lawns.

Xeriscape principles taught by professionals as a community service and public xeriscape projects should be encouraged. Everyone would benefit from an ecological concept that can conserve the precious gift of water for which we are responsible.

JOAN MARIE PATSKY

Cherry Valley