~ Planning & Design: Layout your hardscape plan first. Draw the shape of your house. With a compass, go outside and note where north, south, east, and west are in accordance to your home. Study the features that already exist in your present landscape and note them in accordance with your home. Now note the colors, shapes, heights. Study the contours of the land as well as drainage patterns. Now study seating, walkways, barriers, and patio/ porches. Areas designed to be left as turf should be designed to be easily mowed. Curved paths and swaths are usually better than straight runs with sharp turns. Narrow swaths can be difficult to water with sprinklers. Last but not least note large tree plantings are the absence of them. Such shrubs and trees, can be positioned to provide natural heating and cooling opportunities for adjacent buildings.

~ Site Analysis: Determine your propety's soil conditions and required improvements. The N.C. Cooperative Extension in Carthage will supply boxes and evaluate your soil sample for free. Also try and determine wet, dry, sunny, and shady areas; ahead of planting time.

~ Soil Improvement: The fundamental element of Xerscape Design is water conservation. Landscape designers constantly look for ways to reduce the amount of applied water and to maximize the use of natural precipitation. The ideal soil in a water - conserving landscape does two things simultaneously: it drains quickly and stores water at the same time. This is achieved by increasing the amount of organic material in your soil and keeping it well aerated. Compost is the ideal organic additive, unless your xeriscape contains many succulents and cacti. These species prefer lean soil. It may be worthwile to have your soil tested at a garden center or by using a home test kit. Most Western soils tend to be alkaline (High ph) and low in phosphorus. Adding bonemeal and rock phosphate will help. In area with pine trees and azaleas (acid lovers) add lime. If you are unsure, always obtain a soil test first.

~ Create Limited Turf Areas: Reduce the size of turf areas as much as possible. While retaining some turf for open space, functionality and visual appeal. When planting new turf, or reseeding existing lawns, ask your local garden center for water- saving species adapted to your local area. Turf areas should be consolidated into large, relatively flat areas while avoiding long narrow strips or shady areas. Ground covers would be a good alternative for these areas.

~ Select Appropriate Plants: For best results, select plants that are native to your region. Choosing plants is one of the most important decisions in a xeriscape project. The plants should be compatible with the landscape design and well suited to the environment, which includes the soil and light exposure. Plants requiring similar conditions should be grouped together. Use drought tolerant plants wherever possible. Lists of these plants are available from Drought-Tolerant Plants for North Carolina Landscapes. Characteristics of plants that save water are; plants having small, thick, glossy, silver-gray or fuzzy leaves. Also select plants for their ultimate size. (when fully mature) This reduces pruning maintenace. For hot, dry areas with south and west exposure, use plants which need only a minimum amount of water. Along north and east- facing slopes and walls, choose plants that like more moisture. Most importantly, don't mix plants with high and low watering needs in the same planting area. Trees will help to reduce evaporation by blocking wind and shading the soil.

~ Efficient Irrigation: The type and location of irrigation should be well thought out and designed. Professional assistance is recommended. Water use can be reduced by as much as 80% with a well designed system. Water thoroughly and only when needed. Soaker hoses and drip-irrigation systems offer the easiest and most efficient watering for xeriscapes because they deliver water directly to the base of the plant. This reduces moisture loss from evaporation. They also deliver the water at a slow rate which encourages root absorbtion and reduces pooling and erosion. In general, it's best to water deeply and less frequently.

~ Mulch: Cover the soil's surface around plants with a mulch,such as leaves, course compost, pine needles, wood chips, bark or gravel. (Do not mulch close to the bark of trees and plants: this encourages mold) Mulch helps retain soil moisture and temperature, prevent erosion and block out competing weeds. Organic mulch will slowly incorporate with the soil, and will need more applied, "top-dressed", from time to time. Mulch needs to be several inches thick to be effective.

~ Landscape Management: Low-maintenance is one of the benefits of Xeriscapes. Keeping the weeds from growing up through the mulch may require occasional attention. Thickening the layer of mulch will help. Turf areas should not be cut too short - taller grass is a natural mulch which shades the roots and helps retain moisture. Pruning, weeding, proper fertilization, pest control and irrigation system maintenance and adjustments will keep your Xeriscape healthy and beautiful. Avoid overfertilizing.