If rain gutters are installed on your house, water will be directed into downspouts, where it can move with great force and speed. This is especially true in a large storm. Instead of allowing downspouts to discharge directly on hard surfaces like a driveway, path, or patio, think about ways to redirect downspout water into […]
The most important water to capture in your landscape is the first inch of rainfall after a dry spell. This is called the “first flush.” Rainfall in dry climates like the San Diego region is often a “first flush” repeatedly due to long stretches between rainy periods. The first rainfall washes away pollutants that have […]
To capture rainwater and any excess irrigation inthe soil or rain barrels, it is first necessary to understand what happens when water comes off the roof of buildings and moves across the property. Where is water moving? Make a copy of your landscaping site plan, and label it “Water Plan.” It should have the position […]
In the San Diego region, rainfall can be unreliable and insufficient to sustain landscaping without careful planning and a little help. An alternate water source, such as irrigation, may be required. To make choices about the best, most efficient irrigation system for your landscape, it’s important to learn how well your soil drains. How does […]
During the rainy season, runoff from hard surfaces around the home such as roofs and patios can be directed to the permeable landscaping. By capturing as much rainwater as possible in the soil, it is possible to build an ecosystem that can last through the summer months with minimal additional irrigation. The entire built environment […]
Before adding irrigation to landscaping, make sure it’s needed. Appearances can be misleading, and cause water to be used unnecessarily. First, use “digital” technology. Because soil may appear dry on the surface, stick your finger into the soil and see if the soil is wet beneath the surface. If the soil is moist up to […]
Managing water wisely in a landscape is a lot like managing a bank savings account. Approximately half of the water spent by average California homes is used outdoors, mostly for irrigation. Unfortunately, up to half of commercial and residential irrigation water is squandered by evaporation, wind, improper system design, or overwatering, according to the U.S. […]
When choosing plants for new sustainable landscapes, it’s important to account for the height and the width of each plant species when it matures. This allows you to properly space plants in the landscape without having them feel crowded. Proper plant placement, taking into account the mature plant’s size, also should limit the need for […]
In nature, plants arrange themselves into communities of “friends” based on common microclimates, water and nutrient needs, and how they interact with the physical environment. Native plant communities also are based on interactions with each other and other species such as insects, birds, and other animals. Most plant communities occur repeatedly in natural landscapes under […]
San Diego County residents have targeted more than 1 million square feet of turf grass for replacement with WaterSmart landscaping through free landscape makeover classes sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority over the past five years. While not all the targeted turf has actually been removed, post-class surveys show that many participants end […]
Plants and people have similar likes and dislikes when it comes to their feet. Of course, plants don’t literally have the kind of feet that take them on a stroll, but a plant’s roots are often referred to as “feet.” Just like most people enjoy a walk along the beach or wading in a pool […]
Hydrozones are the different areas of your landscape with different irrigation needs. These needs can vary greatly in a single yard. By managing your water distribution to meet the needs of each hydrozone, you can minimize water waste and promote healthy plants. For example, plants with similar growing requirements including water needs should be planned […]
A previous Conservation Corner article explained how to map the different types of microclimates present in your landscaping. This information can help homeowners effectively arrange plants in their sustainable landscapes. For the most efficient water use, plants should be grouped together with similar water needs in their favorite microclimate. In nature, plants that like lots […]
Every garden has areas where plants flourish, and other areas where plants struggle. Structures, walls, fences and other plants can affect the amount of sun and shade in a garden. Every garden is completely different, even if it is located in the same general climate zone. There may be hills and hollows in your front […]
Plants and insects need each other to survive. Nature provides checks and balances in a garden. You can attract insects and creatures that help maintain the healthy balance of a garden without pesticides. Flowering plants rely on insects for pollination, and thus reproduction. In turn plants feed and house insects. Some bugs eat too much, […]
Catch the Rain By Slowing and Storing It
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIf rain gutters are installed on your house, water will be directed into downspouts, where it can move with great force and speed. This is especially true in a large storm. Instead of allowing downspouts to discharge directly on hard surfaces like a driveway, path, or patio, think about ways to redirect downspout water into […]
Capturing the First Flush of Rainwater
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe most important water to capture in your landscape is the first inch of rainfall after a dry spell. This is called the “first flush.” Rainfall in dry climates like the San Diego region is often a “first flush” repeatedly due to long stretches between rainy periods. The first rainfall washes away pollutants that have […]
Where Does Water Flow in Your Landscaping?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTo capture rainwater and any excess irrigation inthe soil or rain barrels, it is first necessary to understand what happens when water comes off the roof of buildings and moves across the property. Where is water moving? Make a copy of your landscaping site plan, and label it “Water Plan.” It should have the position […]
Take a Soil Percolation Test
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn the San Diego region, rainfall can be unreliable and insufficient to sustain landscaping without careful planning and a little help. An alternate water source, such as irrigation, may be required. To make choices about the best, most efficient irrigation system for your landscape, it’s important to learn how well your soil drains. How does […]
Rainwater as a Resource for Your Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalDuring the rainy season, runoff from hard surfaces around the home such as roofs and patios can be directed to the permeable landscaping. By capturing as much rainwater as possible in the soil, it is possible to build an ecosystem that can last through the summer months with minimal additional irrigation. The entire built environment […]
Does Your Landscaping Need Water?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalBefore adding irrigation to landscaping, make sure it’s needed. Appearances can be misleading, and cause water to be used unnecessarily. First, use “digital” technology. Because soil may appear dry on the surface, stick your finger into the soil and see if the soil is wet beneath the surface. If the soil is moist up to […]
Building a Water Savings Account
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalManaging water wisely in a landscape is a lot like managing a bank savings account. Approximately half of the water spent by average California homes is used outdoors, mostly for irrigation. Unfortunately, up to half of commercial and residential irrigation water is squandered by evaporation, wind, improper system design, or overwatering, according to the U.S. […]
Give New Landscape Plants Space To Grow
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen choosing plants for new sustainable landscapes, it’s important to account for the height and the width of each plant species when it matures. This allows you to properly space plants in the landscape without having them feel crowded. Proper plant placement, taking into account the mature plant’s size, also should limit the need for […]
Mirroring Native Plant Communities in Sustainable Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn nature, plants arrange themselves into communities of “friends” based on common microclimates, water and nutrient needs, and how they interact with the physical environment. Native plant communities also are based on interactions with each other and other species such as insects, birds, and other animals. Most plant communities occur repeatedly in natural landscapes under […]
Tearing Out the Turf: 1 Million Square Feet Targeted for Removal
/in Conservation Corner, Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County residents have targeted more than 1 million square feet of turf grass for replacement with WaterSmart landscaping through free landscape makeover classes sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority over the past five years. While not all the targeted turf has actually been removed, post-class surveys show that many participants end […]
Plants With Wet Feet and Dry Feet
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalPlants and people have similar likes and dislikes when it comes to their feet. Of course, plants don’t literally have the kind of feet that take them on a stroll, but a plant’s roots are often referred to as “feet.” Just like most people enjoy a walk along the beach or wading in a pool […]
Playing by the Hydrozone Landscaping Rules
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalHydrozones are the different areas of your landscape with different irrigation needs. These needs can vary greatly in a single yard. By managing your water distribution to meet the needs of each hydrozone, you can minimize water waste and promote healthy plants. For example, plants with similar growing requirements including water needs should be planned […]
Match Your Landscape Plants To Your Microclimates
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalA previous Conservation Corner article explained how to map the different types of microclimates present in your landscaping. This information can help homeowners effectively arrange plants in their sustainable landscapes. For the most efficient water use, plants should be grouped together with similar water needs in their favorite microclimate. In nature, plants that like lots […]
Map Your Microclimates
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEvery garden has areas where plants flourish, and other areas where plants struggle. Structures, walls, fences and other plants can affect the amount of sun and shade in a garden. Every garden is completely different, even if it is located in the same general climate zone. There may be hills and hollows in your front […]
Planting for Pollinators
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalPlants and insects need each other to survive. Nature provides checks and balances in a garden. You can attract insects and creatures that help maintain the healthy balance of a garden without pesticides. Flowering plants rely on insects for pollination, and thus reproduction. In turn plants feed and house insects. Some bugs eat too much, […]