More than 130 people took advantage of a drought-tolerant plant giveaway program offered by the Fallbrook Public Utility District. Since picking up their free succulents in November, homeowners have started their drought-tolerant home garden projects. Participants were provided empty flats and invited to select from an assortment of three-inch potted succulents to suit their needs. […]
The Emerald Heights homeowner’s association in Escondido recently completed a successful clubhouse upgrade including a landscaping makeover replacing existing turf with a beautiful drought-tolerant design. The gated community is located within the Vallecitos Water District. It covers 6.2 acres including a private athletic club with tennis and basketball courts, plus a community pool and spa. […]
The end of daylight saving time is a reminder to residents to assess their outdoor watering needs and adjust their irrigation systems to reduce water waste – an especially important step after more than two years of statewide drought. Plants simply don’t need as much water during cooler months, and they typically don’t need irrigation […]
Nine-thousand trees, mostly willows, are being planted in the 1,000 acre Managed Marsh wildlife habitat in northern Imperial County. The planting is part of the final construction phase of the Managed Marsh, located off Highway 111 between the city of Calipatria and Niland. Funded by the Quantification Settlement Agreement Joint Powers Authority (QSA JPA), the […]
The San Diego County Water Authority today activated 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 voted unanimously to activate the regional drought response plan for the third time this century. The […]
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 […]
Drought-Tolerant Plant Giveaway Popular in Fallbrook
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalMore than 130 people took advantage of a drought-tolerant plant giveaway program offered by the Fallbrook Public Utility District. Since picking up their free succulents in November, homeowners have started their drought-tolerant home garden projects. Participants were provided empty flats and invited to select from an assortment of three-inch potted succulents to suit their needs. […]
Escondido HOA Saves Water, Costs with WaterSmart Landscape Upgrades
/in Conservation Corner, News /by Gayle FalkenthalThe Emerald Heights homeowner’s association in Escondido recently completed a successful clubhouse upgrade including a landscaping makeover replacing existing turf with a beautiful drought-tolerant design. The gated community is located within the Vallecitos Water District. It covers 6.2 acres including a private athletic club with tennis and basketball courts, plus a community pool and spa. […]
Fall Back and Adjust Irrigation Systems to Save Water
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Ed JoyceThe end of daylight saving time is a reminder to residents to assess their outdoor watering needs and adjust their irrigation systems to reduce water waste – an especially important step after more than two years of statewide drought. Plants simply don’t need as much water during cooler months, and they typically don’t need irrigation […]
Nine-Thousand Trees For Salton Sea Wildlife Marsh Habitat
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Ed JoyceNine-thousand trees, mostly willows, are being planted in the 1,000 acre Managed Marsh wildlife habitat in northern Imperial County. The planting is part of the final construction phase of the Managed Marsh, located off Highway 111 between the city of Calipatria and Niland. Funded by the Quantification Settlement Agreement Joint Powers Authority (QSA JPA), the […]
Water Authority Activates Water Shortage Contingency Plan
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Ed JoyceThe San Diego County Water Authority today activated 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 voted unanimously to activate the regional drought response plan for the third time this century. The […]
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 […]