As California faces serious drought conditions, residents in Connecticut may be thankful that they can tend their yards and gardens with little fear of water restrictions. On the other hand, keeping too many thirsty plants is sure to send your water bill through the roof.

One method of lawn and garden care was developed specifically with water conservation in mind. Homeowners might worry that this method will reduce their lawn to a barren stretch of rocks and cacti, but "xeriscaping" will actually allow you to pick from plentiful gardening options.

The "xeri-" prefix of this term comes from the Greek word for dry. According to the Colorado State University Extension, the concept of xeriscaping only dates back to the late 1970s. A task force in Denver, Colorado, developed the idea after several states in the West were struck by a serious drought in 1977. At that point, almost half of an average household's water use went toward maintaining grass and plants.

Steven Hightower, writing for the Sonoma County Master Gardeners in California, says proper xeriscaping can result in a 60 percent reduction in water use. Xeriscapes also require less maintenance, although you'll still have to break out the pruning shears from time to time.

You'll want to start by planning out your yard and identifying the changes you might have to make to reduce your water use. The Colorado State University Extension says steep slopes and areas with western and southern exposure will quickly lose water. Terracing these slopes or using plants with minimal water needs in these areas is generally a good idea.

Xeriscaping can be done gradually. Anne Miller, writing for the National Association of Realtors, says it is easy to tackle a project or two over the weekend. You'll quickly see results in those areas, and the entire lawn can be completed over the course of a season.

Since exotic plants may require more water than your neighborhood regularly receives, they can result in a steep increase in water use. Using native plants allows you to choose from greenery which can survive on a region's typical rainfall patterns. The Connecticut Stormwater Quality Manual includes a full list of native trees and plants, including trees, shrubs, perennials, and grasses.

Be cognizant about water needs in your plant groupings. The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences says plants with high water needs and those which are more drought-tolerant should each be placed together. This kind of zoning allows you to provide the adequate amount of water to each plot rather than overwatering any part of your lawn.

The Water Division of Wallingford, Conn., says areas of prize turf require the most water since they need to be irrigated and maintained. This organization recommends cutting down on your turf area, limiting it to areas where it will have the most visual impact. Miller says you can get rid of hidden areas of turf, such as the narrow strips behind shrubs.

The Colorado State University Extension recommends limiting bluegrass to areas around the house where it will see plenty of use. In other parts of the yard, drought-resistant grasses will work well. If you want a wilder look, you can look into converting part of the property to a meadow.

Mulch is especially effective in meeting a garden's needs. This material will retain moisture, inhibit weed growth, moderate temperature, and prevent erosion.

Another way to limit your property's turf is to replace it with stones or rocks. You can still arrange them in a visually striking way, and every bit of turf you eliminate is that much less time you have to spend mowing the lawn. However, the reflected heat from the stones can quickly warm up a home if they are placed close to the walls.

You'll have to put in some work to improve the soil. Thicker soils, such as clay, are more likely to repel water while soil that is too porous will drain water too quickly. Ideally, you'll be able to create soil which is rich in nutrients and absorbs water well. Having a soil sample analyzed will let you know what you can do to achieve this consistency.

Though xeriscaping will take up less of your time with maintenance, you'll still need to put some work into the garden. Hightower says these tasks include regular pruning, fertilizing, weeding, and mulching.

You'll also want to upgrade your irrigation methods, particularly if you have a sprinkler system. Drip irrigation is generally a more efficient option, though sprinklers can still be effective in areas with dense amounts of plant life.

The Colorado State University Extension says gardeners who use a hose for irrigation should focus on areas of need rather than spraying down the entire lawn. Areas where the turf or plants are growing well under normal rainfall can be left alone, leaving you to water spots where the color is fading.