Best Equipment for Desert Landscaping and Xeriscaping in St. George, Utah
By the team at Beehive Rental & Sales — Serving Southern Utah's contractors and homeowners since 1994.
Southern Utah homeowners are making the switch from thirsty grass lawns to beautiful, water-wise xeriscaping at a record pace. With Washington County water rates climbing and outdoor watering restrictions tightening every year, converting to desert landscaping is no longer just an environmental choice — it's a financial one. The good news is that with the right rental equipment and a solid plan, most homeowners can complete a full xeriscaping conversion in a single weekend.
“Quick Answer: BeeHive Rental & Sales provides every piece of equipment needed for a xeriscaping conversion in St. George — from sod cutters and skid steers to mini excavators and trenchers — all available for daily or weekend rental. Call (435) 628-6663 for availability. Most homeowners save $2,000–$4,000 per year in water costs after converting.
Key Takeaways
- •Water savings are massive — Traditional lawns in St. George consume 55+ gallons per square foot annually, costing homeowners $2,000–$4,000 per year in water alone
- •Seven-step process — A successful xeriscaping conversion follows a specific sequence: remove lawn, grade, trench for irrigation, lay weed barrier, place boulders, plant, and spread decorative rock
- •Equipment makes it possible — A sod cutter, skid steer, trencher, and mini excavator turn a multi-week hand project into a weekend job
- •Washington County offers rebates — The Water Conservancy District provides financial incentives for homeowners who replace turf with water-wise landscaping
- •Browse BeeHive's full equipment catalog to find the right rental for your xeriscaping project
Why Xeriscaping Is the Smart Choice in St. George
St. George, Utah, sits in the Mojave Desert transition zone, receiving just 8 inches of rain per year while enjoying over 300 days of sunshine. Those conditions make traditional grass lawns one of the most expensive features a homeowner can maintain.
The Water Reality
The numbers are sobering. A typical 2,000-square-foot lawn in St. George requires:
- •110,000+ gallons of water per year to stay green
- •$2,000–$4,000 annually in water costs (depending on lot size and grass type)
- •Daily watering during June, July, and August
- •Constant vigilance during drought restrictions
Meanwhile, Washington County's population has grown by more than 30% in the last decade, putting immense pressure on the Virgin River water supply. Outdoor irrigation accounts for roughly 65% of residential water use in the county.
Beyond Water Savings
Xeriscaping isn't just about the water bill. Homeowners who convert consistently report:
- •Reduced maintenance time — No mowing, edging, fertilizing, or aerating
- •Increased property value — Well-designed xeriscaping adds 10–15% to curb appeal in desert markets
- •Year-round beauty — Desert landscapes look good in every season, unlike dormant winter lawns
- •Fewer pests — Less water means fewer mosquitoes, grubs, and lawn diseases
The Xeriscaping Conversion Process: Equipment for Each Step
A successful xeriscaping project follows a specific order of operations. Skipping steps or doing them out of sequence leads to problems down the road. Here is the complete seven-step process with the equipment you need for each phase.
Step 1: Remove the Existing Lawn
Equipment Needed: Sod cutter rental ($75–$150/day)
The sod cutter is the single most important rental for this project. A walk-behind sod cutter slices beneath the grass at a consistent depth, cutting the turf into neat strips that you roll up and haul away. This is dramatically faster and more thorough than trying to kill grass with chemicals or tear it out with shovels.
How to do it:
- •Mow the lawn as short as possible (lowest mower setting)
- •Water the lawn the day before cutting — moist soil cuts cleaner
- •Set the sod cutter to a 1.5–2 inch depth
- •Cut in straight, parallel strips across the yard
- •Roll up cut strips and load into a truck or dump trailer
- •Dispose of sod at a green waste facility or offer it free on local classifieds
Pro tip from BeeHive Rental & Sales: Reserve the sod cutter early, especially in spring and fall. They are among the most popular rentals during conversion season.
For small areas (under 200 square feet), a flat shovel and a strong back will get the job done. For anything larger, the sod cutter pays for itself in saved time and effort within the first hour.
Step 2: Grade and Shape the Terrain
Equipment Needed: Skid steer with box blade attachment
Once the lawn is removed, you need to reshape the ground. Flat lawns don't make great xeriscapes. Desert landscaping looks best with gentle berms, swales, and varied elevation. A skid steer with a box blade lets you push soil around efficiently to create contours.
Grading goals:
- •Slope the terrain away from your home's foundation (minimum 2% grade for the first 6 feet)
- •Create low spots (swales) where rainwater can collect and hydrate plants naturally
- •Build gentle berms for visual interest and to define planting zones
- •Establish pathways and patio areas at the right elevation
If your yard is relatively flat and small, a standard garden rake and a good wheelbarrow may be sufficient. But for lots over 1,000 square feet or terrain that needs significant reshaping, a skid steer saves days of manual labor.
Step 3: Install Drip Irrigation
Equipment Needed: Walk-behind trencher ($100–$175/day)
Drip irrigation is the heart of any sustainable xeriscape. Unlike sprinklers that throw water into the dry desert air (losing 30–50% to evaporation), drip systems deliver water directly to plant root zones.
A walk-behind trencher cuts narrow trenches (4–6 inches deep) for your mainline tubing. From the mainline, you run individual drip lines to each plant zone.
Irrigation layout tips:
- •Zone your irrigation by plant water needs (native plants need less than adapted species)
- •Run the mainline along the perimeter of the yard, then branch inward
- •Install a timer and pressure regulator at the valve box
- •Use 1/2-inch poly tubing for main lines and 1/4-inch tubing for individual drip emitters
Step 4: Lay Weed Barrier and Base Rock
Equipment Needed: Manual (landscape staples, utility knife)
This step is all hand labor. Roll out commercial-grade landscape fabric over the entire area, overlapping seams by 6 inches. Secure with galvanized landscape staples every 2 feet. Cut X-shaped openings where plants will go.
For areas that will be covered with decorative rock, add a 2-inch base layer of crushed rock or road base material. This improves drainage and prevents the landscape fabric from shifting.
Materials list for a 1,000 sq ft conversion:
- •3–4 rolls of commercial weed barrier fabric (3 ft x 100 ft per roll)
- •200+ landscape staples
- •2–3 cubic yards of road base material
Step 5: Place Boulders and Accent Rock
Equipment Needed: Mini excavator ($250–$400/day)
This is where your xeriscape starts looking like a landscape instead of a vacant lot. Desert boulders, flagstone outcroppings, and accent rocks create the bone structure of your design.
The challenge is weight. A single decorative boulder can weigh 500–2,000 pounds. A mini excavator with a thumb attachment lets you pick up, position, and set boulders exactly where you want them. Trying to move rocks this heavy by hand is dangerous and impractical.
Boulder placement tips:
- •Bury boulders 1/3 to 1/2 into the ground for a natural look — rocks sitting on top of the ground look artificial
- •Group boulders in odd numbers (3, 5, 7) for visual interest
- •Angle boulders so their strata lines run the same direction, mimicking natural formations
- •Leave space around boulders for accent plants
BeeHive Rental & Sales carries mini excavators perfectly sized for residential boulder work. The team can help you choose the right size for your project and terrain.
Step 6: Plant Desert Species
Equipment Needed: Auger attachment for skid steer or handheld auger ($40–$75/day)
Now the fun part — planting. An auger drills planting holes quickly in St. George's notoriously hard caliche soil. Without an auger, digging a single planting hole in caliche can take 30 minutes with a pickaxe. With an auger, it takes 30 seconds.
Popular desert plants for St. George:
| Plant | Water Needs | Mature Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Desert Marigold | Very Low | 1–2 ft | Yellow blooms spring through fall |
| Red Yucca | Very Low | 3–5 ft | Coral flower spikes, hummingbird magnet |
| Utah Agave | Very Low | 2–3 ft | Dramatic sculptural form |
| Apache Plume | Low | 4–6 ft | White flowers, feathery seed heads |
| Desert Willow | Low | 15–25 ft | Shade tree, orchid-like flowers |
| Blackbrush | Very Low | 3–5 ft | Native, zero supplemental water once established |
| Penstemon | Low | 1–3 ft | Red, pink, or purple blooms |
| Dwarf Oleander | Low | 4–6 ft | Evergreen, screens and borders |
| Blue Elf Aloe | Very Low | 1–2 ft | Blue-gray foliage, orange blooms |
| Lantana | Low | 2–4 ft | Non-stop summer color |
Planting in caliche soil: Dig holes twice the width of the root ball. Mix excavated soil 50/50 with compost. Water deeply at planting, then transition to drip irrigation after one week.
Step 7: Spread Decorative Rock and Gravel
Equipment Needed: Skid steer with bucket or wheelbarrow for smaller areas
The final step is spreading your decorative rock layer. In St. George, the most popular options are:
- •Desert gold gravel — Warm tan tones that match the native landscape
- •Red rock crushed stone — Reflects the surrounding red cliffs
- •River rock — Smooth, rounded stones for dry creek beds and accents
- •Decomposed granite — Compacts into a firm, walkable surface for pathways
Spread decorative rock 2–3 inches deep over landscape fabric. A skid steer with a bucket can distribute large quantities quickly, dumping and spreading across sections. For small areas and tight spaces, a wheelbarrow and garden rake work fine.
Coverage calculator: One cubic yard of gravel covers approximately 100 square feet at 3 inches deep.
Cost Comparison: Traditional Lawn vs. Xeriscape
Understanding the long-term financials makes the decision clear.
Traditional Lawn Annual Costs (2,000 sq ft)
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Water | $2,000–$4,000 |
| Mowing (DIY or service) | $600–$1,800 |
| Fertilizer and weed control | $200–$400 |
| Aeration and overseeding | $150–$300 |
| Sprinkler repairs | $100–$300 |
| Total Annual | $3,050–$6,800 |
Xeriscape One-Time Costs (2,000 sq ft)
| Expense | Cost |
|---|---|
| Equipment rentals (all steps) | $500–$900 |
| Landscape fabric and staples | $150–$250 |
| Drip irrigation materials | $300–$600 |
| Plants (20–40 plants) | $400–$1,200 |
| Boulders and accent rock | $500–$1,500 |
| Decorative gravel (20 yards) | $800–$1,600 |
| Total One-Time | $2,650–$6,050 |
Ongoing Xeriscape Annual Costs
| Expense | Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Water (drip irrigation) | $100–$300 |
| Plant replacement | $50–$100 |
| Weed maintenance | $50–$100 |
| Total Annual | $200–$500 |
Bottom line: Xeriscaping pays for itself in 1–2 years through water savings alone. Over ten years, a homeowner saves $25,000–$60,000 compared to maintaining a traditional lawn.
Washington County Water Conservancy District Rebates
The Washington County Water Conservancy District actively incentivizes homeowners to replace turf with water-wise landscaping. Available programs include:
- •Turf buyback rebates — Cash incentives per square foot of lawn removed and replaced with qualifying xeriscaping
- •Smart irrigation controller rebates — Discounts on weather-based irrigation timers
- •Free water audits — A specialist evaluates your current water use and recommends savings
Contact the Washington County Water Conservancy District directly at (435) 673-3617 to confirm current rebate amounts and eligibility requirements, as programs update annually.
Tip: Apply for rebates before starting your project. Most programs require a pre-inspection of existing turf and a post-inspection of the completed xeriscape.
Before and After: A Real St. George Xeriscaping Scenario
The Jones Family — Bloomington Hills neighborhood, St. George
Before: 3,200 square feet of Kentucky bluegrass in the front yard. Water bill averaging $340/month from May through September. Spending every Saturday morning mowing and edging. Brown patches appearing each July despite constant watering.
Project Weekend: Rented a sod cutter, skid steer with box blade, walk-behind trencher, and mini excavator from BeeHive Rental & Sales for a three-day weekend. Total equipment rental cost: $780.
After: A stunning desert landscape featuring three boulder groupings, a dry creek bed with river rock, 28 native plants, decomposed granite pathways, and a small flagstone patio. Drip irrigation on a smart timer.
Result: Water bill dropped to $65/month year-round. Zero mowing. Neighbors started asking for the equipment rental details.
FAQ
What is the best time of year to xeriscape in St. George? Fall (September through November) is ideal. Cooler temperatures reduce transplant shock, and winter rains help establish root systems before summer heat. Spring (March through April) is the second-best window, giving plants several months to establish before the peak heat of June and July.
How much does it cost to rent a sod cutter in St. George? Sod cutter rentals typically run $75–$150 per day depending on the machine size. At BeeHive Rental & Sales, daily and weekend rates are available — call (435) 628-6663 for current pricing. Most homeowners complete sod removal on a 2,000 square foot lawn in 3–4 hours.
Can I xeriscape if I have an HOA? Yes, but check your HOA guidelines first. Most Washington County HOAs now have provisions for xeriscaping, and Utah state law (Utah Code 57-8a-218) prohibits HOAs from banning water-wise landscaping outright. Some HOAs require a landscape plan approval before starting.
Do I need a permit to xeriscape my yard? Generally no. Standard xeriscaping (removing lawn, adding plants and rock) does not require a building permit in St. George or any Washington County city. However, if you are building retaining walls over 4 feet, adding a significant drainage system, or regrading near property lines, a permit may be required.
Will xeriscaping lower my property value? No — well-designed xeriscaping actually increases property value in St. George. Desert markets reward low-maintenance, water-wise landscaping. A professional-looking xeriscape with proper plant selection, boulder placement, and defined areas typically increases home value by 10–15% compared to a dying or patchy lawn.
Whether you are converting a small side yard or tackling a complete front-and-back transformation, having the right equipment makes the difference between a weekend project and a month-long ordeal. BeeHive Rental & Sales at 1175 Highland Drive in St. George carries every piece of equipment mentioned in this guide — sod cutters, skid steers, trenchers, mini excavators, augers, and dump trailers. Call (435) 628-6663 to reserve your equipment, or browse the full rental inventory online to plan your project.