--For dummies.

Intro -- Title Page -- Copyright Page -- Table of Contents -- Introduction -- About This Book -- Foolish Assumptions -- Icons Used in This Book -- Beyond This Book -- Where to Go from Here -- Part 1 Getting Started with Low-Water Landscaping -- Chapter 1 Lacking Water? No Problem -- Defining Low-Water Landscaping -- Seeing where it makes sense to implement -- Understanding why being water-wise is important -- Leveraging your water sources -- Eliminating wasteful watering practices -- Replacing Impractical Plants with Practical Ones -- Getting rid of your lawn -- Considering lawn alternatives --

Low-Water Landscaping For Dummies will teach you to preserve one of our most critical natural resources while simultaneously maximizing your curb appeal. Ditch wasteful, inefficient irrigation methods like sprinkler systems and learn how to embrace designs that save water. This book guides you through different styles of landscaping, introduces you to uniquely drought-tolerant plants, and provides solutions for even the trickiest terrains. You can break the cycle of constant watering, without sacrificing the relaxing atmosphere and aesthetic appeal of your outdoor space. Learn how it's possible to have vibrant, unique, gorgeous landscapes that incorporate grasses, perennials, shrubs, trees, groundcovers, and succulents without wasting hundreds of gallons of water each day. Packed with useful tips, achievable plans, and easy-to-understand instructions, Low-Water Landscaping For Dummies is the only resource eco-conscious gardeners need to design, plant, and enjoy the landscape of their dreams

Checking Out Suitable Ornamental Plants -- Looking at the different types -- Identifying appropriate plants -- Exploring Beauty and Color Tricks -- Building up your yard from the ground up -- Exploring dry-design ideas -- Borrowing ideas from nature -- Chapter 2 Conserving and Harvesting Water -- Understanding Water -- Explaining evaporation -- Preventing evaporation -- Looking at what you can do to reduce evaporation -- Differentiating between drought-resistant and drought-tolerant -- Knowing Where Your Water Comes from -- Eyeing issues with primary sources -- Groundwater -- Precipitation --

Rivers, lakes, and streams -- Looking at how water is accessed -- Municipal tap (potable) water -- Municipal reclaimed (purple-pipe) water -- Well water -- Checking on Your Landscape's Water Use -- Confirming soil moisture -- Using the good ole finger test -- Trying slightly more sophisticated tests -- Working with the ideal guideline -- Measuring rainfall -- Rain gauge -- Rain sensors -- Phone/email alerts -- Collecting and Storing Water -- Rain barrels -- Seeking certain features -- Installing your rain barrel -- Using the water from your rain barrel -- Maintaining your rain barrel --

Cisterns and tanks -- Other ideas -- Using Gray Water: A Good Idea? -- Chapter 3 Waste Not, Want Not: Watering Strategically -- Recognizing the Purpose of Watering -- Transitioning to Low-Water Use -- Eying the pros and cons -- Phasing in -- Doing what the professionals do -- Strategizing Your Watering Plan -- Grouping plants in water-need zones -- Watering individual plants versus watering broad areas -- Solo watering, using a basin -- Watering more broadly -- Planting in blocks versus planting in rows -- Watering in two intervals -- Deciding how deeply to water -- Figuring Out When to Water --

Comparing morning watering and evening watering -- Watering through the seasons -- Touring Low-Tech Watering Aids -- Deploying buried clay pots -- Trying bottle-drip irrigation -- Putting in wicking systems -- Pushing in pipes -- Burying porous pipes -- Avoiding Watering of Foliage -- Hand-Watering: Bonding with Your Plants -- Using hoses -- Using watering cans -- Tackling Special Watering Challenges -- Watering a slope -- Accessing a distant water source -- Coping with clay soil -- Dealing with standing water -- Chapter 4 Making Soil Your Ally -- Understanding Soil Composition