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<br />Xeriscaping offers an exciting alternative to traditional <br />landscaping. Costs can sti II be high, though labor and costs for <br />maintenance decrease dramatically after three or four years. <br /> <br />If the sites are properly prepared and correct species are <br />selected, water requirements can be kept much lower than <br />traditional turf areas. With ful I establ ishment, moisture <br />competition wi I I minimize excessive growth and reduce weed <br />species. Beauty does not have to be sacrificed. In fact, <br />thoughtful selection of native trees, shrubs, forbs and grasses <br />can result in a very colorful, attractive landscape. <br /> <br />Xeriscaping also requires very careful planning. Rushing into a <br />favorite project without fully analyzing al I factors can result <br />in failure and frustration. <br /> <br />Many plants are not adaptable, and consequently may die out after <br />several years of efforts at establishment. Perennial noxious <br />weeds can become burdensome and almost unmanageable if not <br />recognized in advance. Putting in water lines, roadways, or land <br />grading after planting can be discouraging. <br /> <br />Recommendations: <br /> <br />1. Complete all land grading, ditches, fi II materials and <br />shaping prior to planting desired vegetation. Irrigation lines <br />should be installed prior to plantings. <br /> <br />2. Establ ish drought resistant grass mixtures at least one year <br />prior to planting trees or shrubs. <br /> <br />a. Control noxious weeds first. Since quackgrass (Agropyron <br />repens) is a serious problem in most areas, an appl ication of <br />Roundup (Glyphosate) to well irrigated healthy growing grass this <br />coming June is recommended. Some areas have Canada thistle and a <br />few other noxious weeds that should be controlled. <br /> <br />3. Approximately one week after spraying with Roundup, prepare a <br />good seedbed. This wi" involve moldboard plowing (preferable) <br />or disc plowing and land planning unti I smooth. The playground <br />west of the modular, the softball field to the east and the <br />practice field to the west should be land planed in three <br />different directions. Fertil ize and rototi I I 2" to 3" deep prior <br />to dri II ing seed. <br /> <br />4. Plant the playground and bal I fields to: <br /> <br />Irrigated Turf Mixture: <br /> <br />Var i ety <br /> <br />Species <br /> <br />Lbs. PLS/Acre <br /> <br />"Turf Type" <br /> <br />Tall fescue <br /> <br />3.0 <br /> <br />IIRuffll <br /> <br />Fairway wheatgrass <br /> <br />2.0 <br /> <br />2 <br />