Xeric Garden

A site dedicated to drought resistant landscapes.

Xeric Garden

I am a passionate gardening enthusiast with over a decade of dedicated learning into horticulture and garden design. My aim is to help create and design residential landscapes by leveraging my expertise. Specializing in xeriscapes, I assist individuals in the Front Range of Colorado in creating manageable and sustainable garden spaces through education.

While my professional background is in technology engineering, I seamlessly apply the principles I use in my daily work to develop landscapes that prioritize sustainability for the average homeowner. Seeking innovative and often overlooked methods, I strive to revolutionize residential homeownership with environmentally friendly approaches.

Collaborating with leading experts in the field, I introduce cutting edge plants from cultivators and industry concepts to residential landscapes, contributing to the creation of a more sustainable suburban environment for everyday people. Additionally, I offer personalized educational sessions to homeowners, guiding them through state of the art practices aimed at reducing their reliance on resources, chemicals, and fertilizers.

If you are interested in exploring how I can assist you in creating a more sustainable and beautiful landscape, please feel free to contact me. I tailor one on one sessions with homeowners for a nominal fee looking for a DIY approach to understanding sustainable methods. I provide horticultural practices, waterwise plants, watering methods, hardscape principals, landscape walkthroughs, and the like. I look forward to the opportunity to discuss your gardening needs and share my expertise with you.

Articles

  • Sheep Fescue as a Lawn Alternative
    My Experience After a Season with Sheep Fescue Thus far, Sheep Fescue has been a great alternative to traditional grass if you live without kids or dogs. Let me state this upfront for those who prefer the TL;DR version: if you have kids or a dog, Fine Fescue isn’t what you’re looking for. Move on and consider Tall Fescue, Dog Tuff (though it has a late green-up), Blue Grama, Buffalo or some of the other turf varieties I found at TurfMasters Sod. They offer a lot of drought-tolerant turf alternatives. Now, for those of you sticking around for the full… Read more: Sheep Fescue as a Lawn Alternative
  • Why Weed Barrier Fabric Shouldn’t Be Used
    We all hate weeds and the chore that comes with maintaining them, but did you know that weed fabric is doing you more harm than good? It can cause some serious impacts on your plant’s health and the environment. I know I already sound like another one of those Internet hippies, but hear me out on why you shouldn’t be using weed barrier. The moral of the story here is to not use weed fabric barrier. Mulching is a great alternative to weed fabric and is even more effective. Things like wood mulch or rock mulch can be used. My… Read more: Why Weed Barrier Fabric Shouldn’t Be Used
  • Sheep Fescue as a Lawn
    Drought Tolerant Grass Lawn – Sheep Fescue
  • The Official State Cactus of Colorado
    Introduction: Colorado’s diverse and breathtaking landscapes are home to a variety of resilient plant species that have adapted to the state’s unique climate and conditions. Among these hardy inhabitants is the Claret Cup Cactus (Echinocereus triglochidiatus), a stunning succulent that graces the high desert regions of Colorado with its vibrant blooms and distinctive appearance. In this blog post, we’ll explore the fascinating characteristics of the Claret Cup Cactus, its ecological significance, and the historical journey that led to its designation as the official state cactus. The Claret Cup Cactus: Also known as the Kingcup Cactus, Mojave Mound Cactus, or Hedgehog… Read more: The Official State Cactus of Colorado
  • Introduction and A Dedication to Cancer
    Let me reintroduce myself. My name is Ryan for all of you that do not know. On Instagram I go by “rhart303“. This is for my name and actual love of the Denver area. rhart303 is broke down as this, “rhart” for Ryan Harter my full name. The 303 is for the area code. ‘rhart303’ is representative of “Our heart of 303”. The Denver/Front Range is probably the best area in the United States for growing just about anything steppe. Which is where my social media name is derived from. I have been a lowkey gardener for almost all of… Read more: Introduction and A Dedication to Cancer