While visiting family in Denver last week, I was reminded of something that drove me nuts during my time in Colorado's Front Range and Albuquerque decades ago -- how many (the majority of?) people and businesses out west plant grass and landscaping elements that are more appropriate to the eastern third of the continent rather than a desert climate. It's a huge industry with dozens of trucks out and about carrying payloads of sod to create verdant carpets, which quickly turn brown unless heavily watered daily, even in years with significant spring/early summer rain.
Of course, there are all sorts of articles and YouTube clips on the reasons you should plant grass (e.g. chlorophyl reflects the sun's radiative heat) and shouldn't plant grass and other water-intensive landscaping. For people who agree on the latter argument, I learned that xeriscaping property isn't a fiscal option for many. My two nieces -- who own small, cute bungalows sitting on quarter-acre parcels -- mentioned receiving estimates north of $25K, well beyond their pay grade, so they carry on with grass and non-native trees (maples like the ones in my New Jersey yard!).
Do desert dwellers have any experiences/opinions to share?
Of course, there are all sorts of articles and YouTube clips on the reasons you should plant grass (e.g. chlorophyl reflects the sun's radiative heat) and shouldn't plant grass and other water-intensive landscaping. For people who agree on the latter argument, I learned that xeriscaping property isn't a fiscal option for many. My two nieces -- who own small, cute bungalows sitting on quarter-acre parcels -- mentioned receiving estimates north of $25K, well beyond their pay grade, so they carry on with grass and non-native trees (maples like the ones in my New Jersey yard!).
Do desert dwellers have any experiences/opinions to share?
