The San Diego County Water Authority is preparing to activate Level 1 – Voluntary Conservation of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan in support of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to sustain California after two record-dry years. The agency’s 36-member Board of Directors will decide at its formal monthly meeting on Oct. 28 whether to activate the […]
To support and protect your investment in waterwise landscaping, you need to have a strong irrigation IQ and understand the basics. You’ll be able to best maintain and maximize your system’s efficiency, which is vitally important during times of drought in the San Diego region. Conventional irrigation systems can be inefficient Well-designed and operated systems […]
Your choices in irrigation methods come down to spray or drip systems. Spray irrigation emits water in an overlapping pattern. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants. This question is more important than ever during a drought cycle. How do you decide which meets the needs of your landscaping? The case for […]
Staying on top of your irrigation system – especially in the midst of a drought – can mean the difference between maximizing your water efficiency and unknowingly wasting water running down sidewalks unused into the storm drain. Follow these tips for a thorough checkup. Turn on each valve of your irrigation system and observe how […]
As drought continues to affect California, homeowners must balance two needs: preserving landscaping with irrigation while doing so as efficiently as possible to conserve water. Even when not in a drought, trees planted in a Mediterranean climate often need additional water. For the most effective irrigation, mimic the way Mother Nature provides water. Nature designed […]
During drought, it’s more important than ever to conserve water used for irrigation. When you follow just a few smart landscaping irrigation tips, you can get the most from every drop of water applied to your landscaping. Don’t overspray your landscaping Watch your irrigation while the system is running. Check to make sure sprinkler heads […]
Due to the lack of rainfall in the San Diego region, even sustainable landscaping sometimes relies on artificial irrigation. Irrigation systems must be thoughtfully designed, installed, and programmed. Once in place, the many interconnected mechanical elements must be maintained properly for optimal performance. “Irrigation efficiency” is a way of describing how well your irrigation system […]
Trees are among the most valuable investment in San Diego County’s landscape – including your own waterwise landscaping. Trees stand out as key performers in your landscape design for multiple reasons. No other landscape plant offers greater benefits to your landscape and the greater environment. Investing in tree maintenance is vital to keep them healthy. […]
Using landscape irrigation efficiently can significantly reduce overall household water consumption while leaving adequate water in the ground to cover your plants’ needs. One tool that can help is to build up your water savings when rainfall is available. Approximately half of the water spent by average California homes is used outdoors, mostly for irrigation. […]
Once your sustainable landscape makeover is in place, commit to best practices in maintenance. This includes regular composting. Compost can also be used as mulch, applied directly to the soil surface. It can prevent erosion and help plants, and soil filter pollution, especially hydrocarbons and metals from road surfaces. Most greenwaste-based composts can be applied […]
Do you know if your landscaping really needs water? Even if you have waterwise irrigation on a properly timed schedule for your individual landscaping plan, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s really needed. You could be wasting water assuming it’s necessary. Appearances can be misleading. Rely on data from an old-school method of […]
New waterwise landscaping represents a significant investment in time and cost. Trees stand out as the most valuable players in your landscape design. No other landscape plant offers greater benefits to your landscape and the environment as a whole. Trees save energy and clean the air. They counteract the urban heat island effect and fight […]
With the help of resources such as the San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover classes, video on demand, and Sustainable Landscape Guide, many homeowners feel prepared to create a beautiful new sustainable landscape on their own. But sometimes, it’s a smart idea to call on professionals trained in different aspects of the watershed […]
When you’re beginning a sustainable landscaping project, it can be challenging to remember all the things you need to research, measure, and decide along the way. But it’s not a good idea to overlook these details. They all contribute to the success of your new sustainable landscaping project. WaterSmart San Diego’s Sustainable Landscaping Guide has […]
It takes time to learn about the concepts behind the watershed approach to creating a healthy and sustainable landscape. Once you have these concepts mastered, the most important step of all comes next. Consider the goals you want to achieve in your garden for landscaping success. It might be difficult to know where to start. […]
Water Authority Prepares to Activate Water Shortage Contingency Plan
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Ed JoyceThe San Diego County Water Authority is preparing to activate Level 1 – Voluntary Conservation of its Water Shortage Contingency Plan in support of Gov. Gavin Newsom’s efforts to sustain California after two record-dry years. The agency’s 36-member Board of Directors will decide at its formal monthly meeting on Oct. 28 whether to activate the […]
Boost Your Irrigation IQ
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTo support and protect your investment in waterwise landscaping, you need to have a strong irrigation IQ and understand the basics. You’ll be able to best maintain and maximize your system’s efficiency, which is vitally important during times of drought in the San Diego region. Conventional irrigation systems can be inefficient Well-designed and operated systems […]
Choosing Your Best Irrigation Method: Spray or Drip
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalYour choices in irrigation methods come down to spray or drip systems. Spray irrigation emits water in an overlapping pattern. Drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants. This question is more important than ever during a drought cycle. How do you decide which meets the needs of your landscaping? The case for […]
Give Your Irrigation System a Fall Checkup
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalStaying on top of your irrigation system – especially in the midst of a drought – can mean the difference between maximizing your water efficiency and unknowingly wasting water running down sidewalks unused into the storm drain. Follow these tips for a thorough checkup. Turn on each valve of your irrigation system and observe how […]
Borrow Tree Watering Tips from Mother Nature
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAs drought continues to affect California, homeowners must balance two needs: preserving landscaping with irrigation while doing so as efficiently as possible to conserve water. Even when not in a drought, trees planted in a Mediterranean climate often need additional water. For the most effective irrigation, mimic the way Mother Nature provides water. Nature designed […]
Smart Landscape Irrigation Tips Save Water
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalDuring drought, it’s more important than ever to conserve water used for irrigation. When you follow just a few smart landscaping irrigation tips, you can get the most from every drop of water applied to your landscaping. Don’t overspray your landscaping Watch your irrigation while the system is running. Check to make sure sprinkler heads […]
Efficient Irrigation Delivers Water While Protecting Plants
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalDue to the lack of rainfall in the San Diego region, even sustainable landscaping sometimes relies on artificial irrigation. Irrigation systems must be thoughtfully designed, installed, and programmed. Once in place, the many interconnected mechanical elements must be maintained properly for optimal performance. “Irrigation efficiency” is a way of describing how well your irrigation system […]
Tree Care Tips Preserve Benefits During Drought
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTrees are among the most valuable investment in San Diego County’s landscape – including your own waterwise landscaping. Trees stand out as key performers in your landscape design for multiple reasons. No other landscape plant offers greater benefits to your landscape and the greater environment. Investing in tree maintenance is vital to keep them healthy. […]
Bank Your Water Savings for the Future
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalUsing landscape irrigation efficiently can significantly reduce overall household water consumption while leaving adequate water in the ground to cover your plants’ needs. One tool that can help is to build up your water savings when rainfall is available. Approximately half of the water spent by average California homes is used outdoors, mostly for irrigation. […]
Become a Compost Champion
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalOnce your sustainable landscape makeover is in place, commit to best practices in maintenance. This includes regular composting. Compost can also be used as mulch, applied directly to the soil surface. It can prevent erosion and help plants, and soil filter pollution, especially hydrocarbons and metals from road surfaces. Most greenwaste-based composts can be applied […]
Check Before Overwatering Your Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalDo you know if your landscaping really needs water? Even if you have waterwise irrigation on a properly timed schedule for your individual landscaping plan, it’s a good idea to make sure it’s really needed. You could be wasting water assuming it’s necessary. Appearances can be misleading. Rely on data from an old-school method of […]
Trees: Landscaping MVP (Most Valuable Plant)
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalNew waterwise landscaping represents a significant investment in time and cost. Trees stand out as the most valuable players in your landscape design. No other landscape plant offers greater benefits to your landscape and the environment as a whole. Trees save energy and clean the air. They counteract the urban heat island effect and fight […]
Getting Professional Guidance on Your Sustainable Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWith the help of resources such as the San Diego County Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover classes, video on demand, and Sustainable Landscape Guide, many homeowners feel prepared to create a beautiful new sustainable landscape on their own. But sometimes, it’s a smart idea to call on professionals trained in different aspects of the watershed […]
Sustainable Landscaping Project Checklist for Success
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen you’re beginning a sustainable landscaping project, it can be challenging to remember all the things you need to research, measure, and decide along the way. But it’s not a good idea to overlook these details. They all contribute to the success of your new sustainable landscaping project. WaterSmart San Diego’s Sustainable Landscaping Guide has […]
Setting Objectives for Waterwise Landscaping Success
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIt takes time to learn about the concepts behind the watershed approach to creating a healthy and sustainable landscape. Once you have these concepts mastered, the most important step of all comes next. Consider the goals you want to achieve in your garden for landscaping success. It might be difficult to know where to start. […]