South Carolina's spring will be close to normal in both temperatures and precipitation, according to Clemson Extension meteorologist Dale Linvill. However, he expects to see several extended periods with drought stress. This can be very expensive and time-consuming for your lawn and garden.

You can take an aggressive attitude toward water conservation in landscape design and management, according to Bob Polomski, Clemson Extension consumer horticulturist. Xeriscapes or "dry landscapes" entail careful planning, proper soil preparation, efficient watering methods, mulching and good landscape maintenance.

Use effective and efficient watering methods such as drip and microsprinkler irrigation systems. Newly planted shrubs and trees should be watered properly to help them become established.
A few weeks after planting, start cutting back on watering to every few days or longer, especially with cloudy, rainy, or cool weather. Eventually, water on a weekly or "as needed" basis by testing the soil and rootball for moisture.  Here's how:

Dig a small hole in the loosened backfill soil just outside the root ball.

Squeeze a handful of the soil from the top and another from the bottom of the hole.  If water drips between your fingers or the soil feels sticky, the soil is too wet. If it crumbles and falls from your hand as you open your fingers, you need to add water. If the soil stays together in your hand as you open your fingers, the moisture in the backfill is just right. But you'll still need to test the root ball.

Insert your fingers into the root ball. If it's dry, go ahead and water. Water will squeeze out between your fingers if it's too wet.

Water thoroughly to encourage deep rooting. Also, mulch with a two to four-inch layer of compost to conserve moisture, suppress weeds, and moderate soil temperatures. Extend the mulch layer up to the drip line or outermost branches of the tree.

Consider flowers, trees and shrubs that thrive without additional water. Clemson Extension publication EC 672, "Xeriscape: Landscape Water Conservation in the Southeast" contains a long list of drought tolerant plants and trees. It also contains information on fertilizing, pruning, mowing and watering the right way to produce healthy plants. This free publication is available through your local Clemson Extension office or on the World Wide Web at http://cufan.clemson.edu/olos .

Fertilize, prune, mow and water the right way to produce healthy plants.

Research indicates that incorporating these xeriscaping principles into the landscape reduces water consumption by 30 to 60 percent or more. Therefore, xeriscaping lowers maintenance costs and increases the survival rate of landscape plants during dry periods, according to Polomski.