Ideas for low maintenance desert landscaping?

[jlee]

I'm tired of cutting grass, especially because it's full nasty desert weeds and it's uncomfortable to walk on in bare feet, so it's not worth the effort (or the $60/mo to water it in the summer). I have a square-ish patch of grass in my backyard that has my back porch surrounding it on the North-ish sides, a raised bed garden on the South side, and my pool on the East side. I don't want to re-sod it and then have to maintain/feed/weed/water/etc grass, so I'm looking for something else.

Ignore the nasty pool - the Google pic is from before I bought the house:

I'm thinking about textured concrete, flagstone, or pavers on the non-lawn sides of the pool (basically everywhere except the West side), but I'm not sure what I should do instead of grass. Beach sand has been suggested, but I let my cat out back so it'd turn into a giant litter box (and keeping leaves/etc out of it would be annoying).

I've already taken care of the side of the garage (not pictured above) and I am thinking about doing the front yard with crushed rock, but I can't decide what'd be best for the pool/social area behind the house. Any ideas?

 

[Gooberlx2]

How big is the area? Doesn't look huge. I saw a cool picture in a magazine the other day where the ground was all bricked in, except for the garden beds.

Kinda/sorta like this:

 

[AyashiKaibutsu]

Chicken coup. Your neighbors will appreciate the rustic aire you bring to the locale.

 

[NoTine42]

It seems like there are now some nice artificial turfs available if you'd prefer a green look without the area being a litterbox.

 

[jlee]

That part is fairly small. I'd have to measure, but maybe 500-600sq ft.

No chickens.

I did look at artificial turf briefly, but at ~$5+/sq ft, it'd cost me a $thousands which is a bit more than I'd like to spend.

 

[Vdubchaos]

Why do you live in the desert

Artificial turf is the only answer here if "grass has to look nice" is your only answer.

the easiest and cheapest option (free one too) would be to NOT CARE/let go.

 

[jlee]

Why do you live in the desert

Artificial turf is the only answer here if "grass has to look nice" is your only answer.

the easiest and cheapest option (free one too) would be to NOT CARE/let go.

I live in the desert because I can drive 400rwhp cars year-round. And because cold sucks. :awe:

 

[Vdubchaos]

I live in the desert because I can drive 400rwhp cars year-round. And because cold sucks. :awe:

Whatever floats that boat, but not for a second don't you think I'm impressed.

I will take the cold over heat any day of the week....twice on sunday.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Desert? I would just leave it go back to it's natural state. Basically beach sand, except without the beach.

 

[richardycc]

i think you are looking for xeriscape ideas...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeriscaping

 

[jlee]

Whatever floats that boat, but not for a second don't you think I'm impressed.

I will take the cold over heat any day of the week....twice on sunday.

I grew up in northern NH. Keep it. I don't give a fuck what impresses you.

 

[smackababy]

Rock garden perhaps?

 

[manimal]

Rock garden perhaps?

rock and zen garden and a deck with a pizza oven.

 

[NutBucket]

I would avoid hardscape such as concrete and such. That stuff just retains heat and radiates it at night. At least landscaping doesn't do that. I would go with low maintenance plants like ground covers and such. There are plenty out there that do not require nearly as much water/work as grass.

Yes, I am aware it is plenty hot where you live but every little bit helps. Hell, I'd plant some shade trees on the southern/western sides of the property.

EDIT: I have trees on the southern side of my pool. It's nice because you don't bake in the sun when you're in the pool.

 

[smackababy]

a pizza oven.

I've already informed my GF, when we buy a house there will be a brick pizza oven outside and a metal island for food prep in the kitchen. This is not up for debate!

 

[jlee]

I've already informed my GF, when we buy a house there will be a brick pizza oven outside and a metal island for food prep in the kitchen. This is not up for debate!

Hahaha, I have thought about a smoker and/or brick oven. I have tons of room back there for whatever I want...just a matter of how much it costs to build. A nice bread/pizza oven could be pretty awesome, but I'm not sure if I'd use it often enough to be worthwhile.

 

[Ksyder]

I'm in Tucson. Pretty much everywhere in my neighborhood has their yards covered in gravel. There are bushes and plants/cacti around but mostly larger rocks/gravel everywhere.

 

[shortylickens]

When I lived in Ridgecrest I noticed a lot of people ripped the weeds from their "lawn" and made rock gardens.

They look nice, maintain easily, and save you money.

 

[smackababy]

I'm in Tucson. Pretty much everywhere in my neighborhood has their yards covered in gravel. There are bushes and plants/cacti around but mostly larger rocks/gravel everywhere.

I flew over Arizona once and I am rather certain there is zero grass in the entire state.

 

[jlee]

I flew over Arizona once and I am rather certain there is zero grass in the entire state.

Never heard of Flagstaff?

 

[jlee]

Pool area:

Facing the other way:

 

[IronWing]

I like rocks. There are boulder delivery services that will place boulders where ever you want them.

If you go the gravel/rock route then lay down an impervious geotextile (that's landscaper speak for plastic sheet) first to preclude the growth of weeds.

The gazebo area is big enough for a brick labyrinth.

 

[highland145]

i think you are looking for xeriscape ideas...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xeriscaping

I'm in Tucson. Pretty much everywhere in my neighborhood has their yards covered in gravel. There are bushes and plants/cacti around but mostly larger rocks/gravel everywhere.

These.

To be fair, I did just drop a crap ton on my yard and drive but I don't live in a desert.

 

[smackababy]

I am not sure of your budget, but a nice fountain / waterfall would look great!

 

[burninatortech4]

Look up a shrub called Scavola taccada. (Naupaka kahakai). Very drought and salt tolerant and beautiful. Extremely low maintainence.

Or Chenopodium oahuense (Aweoweo). Extremely drought tolerant.

Both are Hawaiian species though. Might not be able to find them!