It’s been said that January is a dualpurpose month, serving as both a time for reflection on the past year and a foundational period for looking forward to the year ahead. In 2025, the Texas Hill Country experienced extreme “weather whiplash”, shifting from a severe drought with record heat in the first half of the year to catastrophic, deadly flash floods in July, only to be followed by more drought conditions and the warmest fall on record during September, October and November. The 2026 weather outlook for the Hill Country, heavily influenced by a La Niña climate pattern, points to a high probability of warmer and drier-than-average conditions overall, particularly during the current winter season, December 2025 through February 2026.
So how do we keep our community looking beautiful in such arid, desert-like conditions? Enter “xeriscaping.” In Greek, the term means “dry scaping.” At its root, xeriscaping is a landscaping method that aims to use as little water as possible while still maintaining aesthetically pleasing and ecofriendly landscaping.
Key Principles and Practices include: - Plant Selection: Focus on native and adapted plants that thrive in dry conditions, such as Agave, Red Yucca, Texas Sage, Lantana, Desert Willow, andTexas Frog Fruit.
- Watering Wisely: Group plants with similar water needs using the practice of hydro zoning and use drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to roots. Water deeply and infrequently, especially after establishment, and aim for early morning watering.
- Mulch: Apply two to four inches of organic mulch, like compost or shredded bark, to retain soil moisture, moderate temperatures and to control weeds.
- Reduce Turf: Replace water-hungry grass with rock gardens, patios, native ground covers, like Texas Frog Fruit, or other low-water features.
- Soil Improvement: Amend native soil with compost to help plants establish strong root systems but avoid creating a “bathtub” effect with overly rich soil pockets.
- Design Zones: Map your yard for sun, shade and water flow, placing thirsty plants in moister areas and drought-tolerant ones in hot, dry spots.
To learn about xeriscaping in Texas, focus on resources from Texas A&M AgriLife Extension for comprehensive guides and local events and the Native Plant Society of Texas for native plant expertise.
