It's a good idea to begin planning your landscape by mapping out an aerial view of your property to make evaluations based on terrain, features/structures (trees, walkways, walls &c.) and design aesthetic. You will also want to note areas which receive heavy sunlight or shade, which will effect the eventual designation of water. Slopes, hills and contours alike in the terrain can be developed into terraces which are often an integral architectural aspect to xeriscape design.

Slopes can also be stabilized with vegetation, dry stack limestone, rubble or rip rap. Wells can be dug around each plant to trap water, which would otherwise have been lost to runoff. Areas designated for turf (lawn) should be designed for easy mowing. Curved, organic formed swaths are best, rather than straight, blocked turf areas with sharp turns (which don't have the same organic aesthetic.) Larger vegetation, plants, shrubs and trees can be planted strategically to provide natural shade within the landscape, as well as for adjacent buildings and structures.

2. Soil analysis
It's recommended that you have the topsoil of your landscape analyzed to determine the pH balance and the suitable quantity and appropriate quality of soil amendments. A good soil will support healthy vegetation, conserve moisture and will be porous and properly aerated. To drain properly, the soil must be able to absorb one half inch of water or more per hour. It will have a proper balance of sand, silt and clay. Compost will greatly benefit your soil by increasing its percentage of organic material. In areas without vegetation, inorganic mulches such as pea gravel, crushed granite or pebbles can be an inexpensive pathway or a decorative aesthetic. However, stone mulches should be kept away from adjacent buildings and walls, as they might create excessive heating.

3. Practical Turf Areas
Turf areas enhance your xeriscape by creating an open space and adding to the range of vegetation. Turfgrasses require watering and maintenance more frequently than most other landscape plants. Accordingly, it's best to limit the space designated for turfgrass alone. Before laying down turfgrass, in choosing which turfgrass you want to have in your xeriscape garden, consult an in-store expert about grasses which are indigenous to your region.

4. Appropriate Plant Selection
Though it's often stigmatized as resembling the arid and barren environment of a desert, in fact Xeriscaping strongly emphasizes the diversity of plant life. Monocultures, large quantities of the same plant in one area, are discouraged. Plants should be selected based on their regionalism; plants native to the land tend to thrive naturally. When selecting plants, you will also want to inquire about drought-resistant plants. Drought-resistant plants will likely thrive in a xeriscape setting regardless of their regionalism, which of course enhances your ultimate plant selection. With a diverse selection of plants, it is important to realize that different plants have different needs. Plants which require high-water levels should be kept separate from plants which require low-water levels.

5. Efficient Irrigation
Over watering, in accordance with water conversation, should be avoided; water should never be used in excess. Xeriscaping helps to circumvent over watering by allowing for the infrequent, yet thorough watering of each plant. Xeriscaping implements the use of soaker hoses, micro-emitters and drip-irrigation systems to deliver water directly to the base of the plant within the dripline, which helps to deprive unwanted weed growths of water. For manual watering, apply water directly within the dripline via hose or watering can, leaking the water at a sloe rate until the water has saturated the soil at a depth of 8 to 10 inches. This will increase root absorption and will reduce the pooling of water and the erosion of soil. You can also install sprinklers to do the same job. Hose-end sprinklers and permanent underground systems are common to xeriscapes. A properly adjusted sprinkler head will let droplets of water rather than emit a fog or mist, which is susceptible to evaporation and wind drift. It's best to water between the late evening and the early morning to minimize evaporation.

6. Use of Mulch
Mulching is simply the process of spreading matter in a thin layer over the landscape so that it may decompose over time to be converted into humus. Mulch will help regulate the temperature and moisture of the soil and will deter weed growth. 

7. Appropriate Maintenance
Xeriscapes require little attention. Structured properly, a xeriscape will only require basic pruning, some occasional weeding, regular fertilization, minimal pest control and the general inspection and possible minor adjustment of the irrigation system.

For Resources and Further Information:

• eartheasy.com
• soakerhoses.com
• ciwmb.com
• agie-horticulture.edu
• landscaping.about.com
• toolbase.org
• ext.colostate.edu
• the-landscape-design-site.com
• greenbuilder.com