The Dehydrated Gardener: The Desert-Dweller's 3-Part Guide to Xeriscaping: Prepare For Drought Disasters, Become a Native Plant Pro and Get the Desert Landscape of Your Dreams
Do you want to discover the secrets of drought-proofing your lawn? Do you want to become an expert on “super” plants native to your desert climate? Do you want to save time, money and water on your landscape without sacrificing on curb appeal?
You're certainly not alone. According to a 2021 study from the IPCC, conditions of extreme drought are 1.7x more likely than they were 100 years ago. That is, at any given time we are nearly twice as likely to be experiencing an extreme drought than our desert-dwelling ancestors had a century ago. And this problem is not trending in the right direction. NASA warned in a recent megadroughts (or droughts which last 10 years or more) will increase in likelihood from 12% (in 2015) to more than 60% by the year 2050.
Though drought conditions can impact so many areas of our lives, the beauty and diversity of our lawns does not have to be one of them.
As desert landscaper Steve Martino “It’s taken native plants a million years to get it right. Why fight it?”
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In this book, you will
The drought-tolerant, low-water super plants specific to your desert regionThe most effective methods of turf removal to make room for more water-conscious ground covers (including the method I ALWAYS use myself)How to cultivate a self-sufficient homestead even in the harshest desert conditionsThe hardscapes, accents and decorations that will take your outdoor space to the next levelHow subtraction leads to addition when it comes to xeriscaping Just imagine for a moment how happy you will be when you arrive at your home after a long day of errands to find a vibrant, colorful, native plant oasis even in times of extreme drought. It certainly beats a crusty, brown and dehydrated lawn that just simply can’t get the water it needs. And, of course, looks aren’t everything. You’re going to be thanking yourself when you get your water bill every month. A study in California showed that residents who xeriscaped their yard saved an average of 120 gallons per day! And in Phoenix, the city found that a xeriscaped, native desert yard conversion saved homeowner’s as much as 76% per month in water usage. In times of extreme drought we all know how expensive water can get, so this book is going to put some serious money back in your pocket!Best of all, this guide is so easy to follow that you can become a desert plant expert and gardening genius even if you’ve never been able to keep a plant alive for longer than 2 weeks. “The Dehydrated Gardener” is going to fix that!
If you want to save time, money and water AND get a landscape that takes your friends’ breath away, then scroll up and click the “Add to Cart” button.
"The Dehydrated Gardener" is a must-read for anyone seeking to transform their lawn into a vibrant, water-efficient oasis even in times of extreme drought. With the increasing frequency of drought conditions, this book provides invaluable insights and practical solutions to help you save time, money, and water while maintaining an appealing landscape.
The author begins by highlighting the growing concern of extreme droughts and their impact on our lives. Supported by scientific data, the book emphasizes the need to adapt our gardening practices to mitigate the effects of water scarcity. This sets the stage for the core message of the book: embracing native plants and xeriscaping techniques.
I found the book to be highly informative and engaging. It not only educates readers on the benefits of utilizing "super" plants native to desert climates but also offers step-by-step guidance on implementing xeriscaping principles. The author's emphasis on the resilience and beauty of native plants resonated with me, and their passion for sustainable landscaping shines through.
One of the book's significant strengths is its ability to cater to both novice gardeners and experienced enthusiasts. The instructions are clear, concise, and easy to follow, making it accessible even to those with limited gardening experience. The inclusion of success stories and water-saving statistics further reinforces the practicality and effectiveness of the methods presented.
Furthermore, "The Dehydrated Gardener" highlights the financial benefits of xeriscaping, demonstrating how homeowners can significantly reduce their water bills. The real-life examples and savings calculations provided give readers a tangible incentive to embrace these practices.
A great reference for those new to drought resistant gardening
This is a great book for those who want to replace lawns and non-natives with native southwest plans, shrubs and trees. Including desert California, step by step instructions guide the reader through choosing the best native plants for their yards. Preparation of the ground, lawn removal and care and nurturing young plantings really gives the reader confidence to succeed and enjoy a natural environment, with very little or no irrigation required.
I heartily recommend this book, especially to beginning gardeners in the southwest regions and high and low deserts in California.
If you are new to xeriscaping this might be a great book for you. I didn't feel the discussions regarding HOAs were necessary but some people reading this might find the information informative. The images within the book could be very helpful as well as the links at the end of the book for additional reading on specific areas. As a high desert dweller, I think some parts were unnecessary or went unnecessarily in depth for a xeriscaping book. Overall though, if you're new this book definitely has a lot of information on xeriscaping for you.
This book walks the reader through all the basics of getting started with xeriscaping, from planning and dealing with HOAs to planting, to maintaining.
The focus on cacti wasn't for me, and I found the occasional spelling error disconcerting (as when we painted trees instead of planting them). However, overall, I found the information here helpful and the general tone empowering.
I'd recommend this book for anyone wanting to make their yard more water-wise.
Tillman covers a range of xeriscape methods and choices for a gardener contemplating a change from lawn to water wise . In addition to descriptions of climates, types of plants and specific tools, Tillman emphasizes the planning and caring for such gardens, the timing of fertilization and planting and the use of hardscapes. He offers multiple methods of removing thirsty grass along with the pros and cons of each method.
This book was full of interesting information and written in a way that was easy to comprehend. We recently moved to Arizona, and I loved learning about what grows the best in the American Southwest. I especially love the catchy title and tons of additional resources that were included.
As someone who only moved to the desert 6 years ago and who only bought a house with landscaping this year, I’ve been pretty intimidated by the thought of ripping up landscaping and starting fresh. But the author of The Dehydrated Gardner makes the concepts pretty straightforward for a rookie like me. I now feel ready to take on my own project in our front yard!