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An updated version of the Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority’s popular Xeriscaping:The Complete How-To Guide is now available at various locations throughout the community.

Designed to provide a comprehensive list of plants and trees best suited to our climate and soil, the new guide underwent extensive revision by award-winning landscape designer and author Judith Phillips.  Now more regional in scope, the guide offers “how-to” information on a wealth of topics including garden planning, plant selection, efficient irrigation, and the best plants for a particular area of town.

“We tried to make the new edition applicable throughout the middle Rio Grande region, including the East Mountains, and we partnered with Rio Rancho and Bernalillo County on the production,” said Conservation Officer Katherine Yuhas. “The earlier edition was very useful and has been extremely popular with our customers since it was first published in 1994, but it was definitely time for an update.”

Features of the updated guide include:

•Xeriscaping basics
•Tips on drip irrigation systems
•How to harvest rainwater
•How to plant and water for optimal beauty and minimal water use
•A comprehensive list of low-water trees, vines, shrubs, flowering plants, cactus and succulents, groundcovers and ornamental grasses that can thrive in the Albuquerque area
The guide is available while supplies last at local libraries, nurseries, home garden centers, and community centers.  It is also available to homeowner and neighborhood associations by calling 245-3133. This year the City of Rio Rancho and Bernalillo County are also distributing the guide.

More information is available by calling 768-3655.