La Mesa residents Bob and Shan Cissell’s conversion of 2,500 square feet of thirsty irrigated lawn into a creative conservation garden was selected by the Otay Water District as the winner of its 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual competition recognizes landscape redesign projects among 13 participating San Diego County water agencies which best represent […]
Fire is a real and constant threat in Southern California. This is especially true in wildland interface areas. For effective fire prevention, it is important to select plants, choose landscape designs and perform consistent maintenance in accordance with fire safety guidelines. Plan for fire safety Landscapes should resist ignition and provide 35 ft. of actively […]
San Diego regional water agencies are sharing water-efficiency tips during “Smart Irrigation Month.” July is traditionally the month of peak demand for outdoor water use and the reason it was chosen as Smart Irrigation Month when it started in 2005. The month celebrates the social, economic, and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation for landscapes, recreation […]
You can make composting on-site a goal for your sustainable landscape maintenance to reduce waste and help the soil thrive. You’ll know when the compost is ready to use when it has an earthy smell, has cooled off, and doesn’t reheat when stirred. Next, look for a uniformly dark brown or even black color. You […]
The Fallbrook Public Utility District will offer residents in its service area free low-water or drought-tolerant plants beginning July 1. The district will give qualified residents vouchers redeemable for plants at Silverthorn Ranch Nursery in Fallbrook, which produces plants using recycled water. “Customers will go through an application process and qualified applicants will receive free […]
While the goal of many sustainable landscaping plans is to remove the traditional suburban lawn, sometimes a portion of lawn area is maintained. You can ensure that your lawn stays healthy, permeable and green by using sustainable landscaping tips for lawn maintenance: Grass cycling Using proper mowing height and frequency Eliminating chemical use Monitoring watering […]
Trees are the most valuable players in your landscape design. They benefit both the environment and the communities in which they are planted. They save energy and clean the air we breathe. They help counteract the urban heat island effect and combat climate change. Trees provide protection from the elements, and even support healing. Invest […]
The perfect time to plan your new beautiful, livable and WaterSmart landscape is in summer because fall is the ideal time to plant a garden in this Mediterranean climate we all enjoy. The WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series and related educational programs are a great way to gather the skills needed to make a lawn transformation […]
Matt and Lauren Kirkpatrick of La Mesa are this year’s winner of the Helix Water District’s ‘WaterSmart Landscape Contest,’ an annual competition recognizing outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on overall attractiveness, design, efficient irrigation and appropriate plant selection and maintenance. Compared to the thirsty turf in the Kirkpatricks’ previous landscaping, the growing, colorful and entirely […]
When you’re beginning a sustainable landscaping project, it can be challenging to remember all the things you need to consider along the way. Use our Sustainable Landscaping Guide Project Checklist to stay on track and achieve your goals. Take the steps you need to prepare your property. Make all your plans before you start digging. […]
When you’ve taken the time to learn about the concepts behind the watershed approach to creating a healthy and sustainable landscape, you should step back and consider the goals you want to achieve in your garden. If you’re facing an ocean of grass lawn and you’ve never given much thought to landscaping goals, it might […]
It’s easy (and fun) to produce a landscaping plan showing where every shrub and flower is placed on site. Drawing what you can see is relatively easy. But what about the irrigation system underneath your landscaping? Do you know the location of your water mainline, irrigation system clocks, valves and sprinkler heads? Understanding the layout […]
Learn the basics of most irrigation systems, the key components of intelligent irrigation systems, and how to employ low pressure to maximize your system’s efficiency. Conventional irrigation systems are notoriously inefficient Conventional irrigation systems can suffer due to poor design, inadequate maintenance, and improper management. Well designed and operated systems can reliably deliver the necessary […]
Spray irrigation emits water in an overlapping pattern, while drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants. How do you decide which meets the needs of your landscaping? The case for spray irrigation Spray irrigation can be an efficient way to irrigate large landscapes with groundcover or uniform plant materials like lawns or […]
Turn on each valve of your irrigation system, and observe how quickly water begins to run off your landscaping. Note the time when each runoff occurs. For some systems, this could be immediately. For others it may take as long as five minutes. Make sure that the spray irrigation is never running for longer than […]
La Mesa Conservation Garden Wins 2019 Otay Water District WaterSmart Landscape Contest
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalLa Mesa residents Bob and Shan Cissell’s conversion of 2,500 square feet of thirsty irrigated lawn into a creative conservation garden was selected by the Otay Water District as the winner of its 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual competition recognizes landscape redesign projects among 13 participating San Diego County water agencies which best represent […]
Fire Prevention Tips for Landscapes
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongFire is a real and constant threat in Southern California. This is especially true in wildland interface areas. For effective fire prevention, it is important to select plants, choose landscape designs and perform consistent maintenance in accordance with fire safety guidelines. Plan for fire safety Landscapes should resist ignition and provide 35 ft. of actively […]
Smart Irrigation Month Highlights Water-Efficient Technology
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego regional water agencies are sharing water-efficiency tips during “Smart Irrigation Month.” July is traditionally the month of peak demand for outdoor water use and the reason it was chosen as Smart Irrigation Month when it started in 2005. The month celebrates the social, economic, and environmental benefits of efficient irrigation for landscapes, recreation […]
How to Compost the Right Way
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongYou can make composting on-site a goal for your sustainable landscape maintenance to reduce waste and help the soil thrive. You’ll know when the compost is ready to use when it has an earthy smell, has cooled off, and doesn’t reheat when stirred. Next, look for a uniformly dark brown or even black color. You […]
Fallbrook PUD Offers Plant Vouchers For Sustainable Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Fallbrook Public Utility District will offer residents in its service area free low-water or drought-tolerant plants beginning July 1. The district will give qualified residents vouchers redeemable for plants at Silverthorn Ranch Nursery in Fallbrook, which produces plants using recycled water. “Customers will go through an application process and qualified applicants will receive free […]
Tips for Responsible Lawn Maintenance
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongWhile the goal of many sustainable landscaping plans is to remove the traditional suburban lawn, sometimes a portion of lawn area is maintained. You can ensure that your lawn stays healthy, permeable and green by using sustainable landscaping tips for lawn maintenance: Grass cycling Using proper mowing height and frequency Eliminating chemical use Monitoring watering […]
Take Good Care of Your Landscaping Trees
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongTrees are the most valuable players in your landscape design. They benefit both the environment and the communities in which they are planted. They save energy and clean the air we breathe. They help counteract the urban heat island effect and combat climate change. Trees provide protection from the elements, and even support healing. Invest […]
Getting Help From Landscaping Professionals
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongThe perfect time to plan your new beautiful, livable and WaterSmart landscape is in summer because fall is the ideal time to plant a garden in this Mediterranean climate we all enjoy. The WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series and related educational programs are a great way to gather the skills needed to make a lawn transformation […]
California Native Garden Wins Helix’s 2019 Landscape Contest
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalMatt and Lauren Kirkpatrick of La Mesa are this year’s winner of the Helix Water District’s ‘WaterSmart Landscape Contest,’ an annual competition recognizing outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on overall attractiveness, design, efficient irrigation and appropriate plant selection and maintenance. Compared to the thirsty turf in the Kirkpatricks’ previous landscaping, the growing, colorful and entirely […]
Use Our Sustainable Landscaping Project Checklist
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongWhen you’re beginning a sustainable landscaping project, it can be challenging to remember all the things you need to consider along the way. Use our Sustainable Landscaping Guide Project Checklist to stay on track and achieve your goals. Take the steps you need to prepare your property. Make all your plans before you start digging. […]
Setting Your Landscaping Objectives for Success
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongWhen you’ve taken the time to learn about the concepts behind the watershed approach to creating a healthy and sustainable landscape, you should step back and consider the goals you want to achieve in your garden. If you’re facing an ocean of grass lawn and you’ve never given much thought to landscaping goals, it might […]
Make a Map of Your Irrigation System
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongIt’s easy (and fun) to produce a landscaping plan showing where every shrub and flower is placed on site. Drawing what you can see is relatively easy. But what about the irrigation system underneath your landscaping? Do you know the location of your water mainline, irrigation system clocks, valves and sprinkler heads? Understanding the layout […]
What’s Your Landscape Irrigation IQ?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongLearn the basics of most irrigation systems, the key components of intelligent irrigation systems, and how to employ low pressure to maximize your system’s efficiency. Conventional irrigation systems are notoriously inefficient Conventional irrigation systems can suffer due to poor design, inadequate maintenance, and improper management. Well designed and operated systems can reliably deliver the necessary […]
Spray Versus Drip Irrigation: Which is Best for You?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongSpray irrigation emits water in an overlapping pattern, while drip irrigation delivers water directly to the roots of plants. How do you decide which meets the needs of your landscaping? The case for spray irrigation Spray irrigation can be an efficient way to irrigate large landscapes with groundcover or uniform plant materials like lawns or […]
Put Your Irrigation to the Test
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongTurn on each valve of your irrigation system, and observe how quickly water begins to run off your landscaping. Note the time when each runoff occurs. For some systems, this could be immediately. For others it may take as long as five minutes. Make sure that the spray irrigation is never running for longer than […]