Beauty Without Waste Xeriscape Methods 

Developed by: Stan Frazer 

Summary: The students will develop a garden plot, within which the plants will thrive without being watered. This will be accomplished by the use of plants native to their local region.

Connection to the Curriculum: This module involves mathematical measurements, research, and journal writing as well as scientific investigation. It will also illustrate the concept of plant life cycles.

TEKS Alignment: 6.1-6.5, 6.12 a-c, 6.4 a-b.

Time: 6 class periods, and 15 minutes per week per class, for data collection.

Season: Late winter through spring 

Materials:

Seeds

Landscaping Timbers

Reference on wildflowers of your local area

Topsoil

Fencing material (to protect garden and support vines)

Ladybugs (optional)

Birdbath (or some other suitable water source for pollinators)

Rocks (for butterflies to bask in the sun)

Logs or Butterfly House (to afford a place for certain pollinators to hibernate)

Assorted gardening tools

Objectives:

• Identify species of plants native to the region through research of plant publications and the Internet.
• Select plants suitable for garden plan.
• Germinate seeds and raise seedling in the classroom until ready for transplanting into the prepared garden plot.
• Observe plant growth and maintain a weekly journal entry concerning its development.
• Prepare a garden plot.
• Transplant seedlings into the plot.
• Monitor plants condition.
• Chronicle the plant and insect interactions.