School Yard Garden

Students can learn about plants that are well adapted to the desert by planning and designing a desert garden on campus. After learning about the desert and adaptations that plants need to make in order to survive in desert conditions, they should be able to select plants which will be well suited for the desert environment. While learning about plants that would be appropriate for this garden, students will learn the importance of appropriate desert landscaping, known as xeriscaping. 

Look at the xeriscape garden at the Tucson Botanical Garden to get ideas about what kinds of plants live well in the desert.  Have students choose plants that conserve water and don't compete with other native plants.

Resources:
Xeriscape Garden at Tucson Botanical Garden
Classes at Tucson Botanical Garden

Books suggested in:   
Nimitz, Susan. Xeriscaping: Waterwise Gardening in the Valley. Brochure. City of Mesa. Mesa, AZ: 2001.

Arizona Department of Water Resources. Xeriscape: Landscaping with Style in the Arizona Desert. 
* Beautiful Photographs enhance descriptions of xeriscape principles and landscape design including soil preparation, selection of plants, and sprinkler irrigation. 

Mielke, Judy. Native Plants for Southwestern Landscapes. 
* Descriptions and gorgeous color photographs of over 300 trees, shrubs, vines, grasses, ground covers, wild and other plants native to the southwestern deserts and suitable for landscapes.  Details information on natural habitat, growing requirements, and landscape uses.