Cannabis Cultivation & Xeriscaping, an Eco-Friendly Match Made In Cali

If you have a Medical Marijuana card, in a State approved grow area like California, then you'll enjoy Xeriscaping. Xeriscaping (dry landscaping) is a water conservation effort that lends itself quite well to Cannabis cultivation methods. An added plus of eco-friendliness, gets two green-thumbs up from this Cali gardener.

All 50 States have some type of water conservation plan in effect, and drought-ridden areas will no longer tolerate water waste. Therefore, by planting drought resistant plants indigenous to your area, you'll have plants that inter-crop nicely with your Cannabis-

Let's say that you drop the shrub, 4-wing salt bush, into your garden. Not only have you added an off green bush that rivals the shape and look of Cannabis, but in a year of only 7 inches of rain, this bush will be thriving.

Another feature of Xeri gardens is the deep watering technique for outdoors. In my backyard garden, all of my plants of importance have a soil basin around them. About every 7-10 days, I give the plants a long slow soaking with a drip hose. This encourages the roots to travel deep down into the soil. Remember, Marijuana has a "taproot" system, especially designed to seek out ground levels of moisture. Huge Cannabis Sativa's can get their own drink of water if you've deep watered properly. A mulch around the drip line aids moisture retention, and mulching should always be incorporated into Xeriscape plans. The over-all water conservation efforts of Xeriscaping, should also remind newbies to Cannabis cultivation that Marijuana is a weed, and requires very little water once it's knee high.

So in the West, South-west, or any drought-ridden spots of the country – do your homework. Seek native plants of your State that love the sun. You can Google "Herbaceous Plants Suitable for Sunny, Dry Conditions", or Xeriscaping in _______(your State).  Ignore the thirsty one's, and keep the shade for the shady plants. Deep water when you water, and mulch all around to help retain moisture. Cannabis Cultivation & Xeriscaping, Palm Springs, California - here I come!

Joyce