You don’t have to be a farmer to enjoy edible plants in your sustainable landscaping. Many native plants and herbs have fruit and leaves you can harvest. They can be mixed into any climate-appropriate planting design. Organic growing methods including sheet mulching (as explained in an earlier post) and integrated pest management ensure the health […]
Planting trees improves water quality by reducing runoff and soil erosion. It’s also good for the wallet. Healthy, mature trees can add an average of 10 percent to a property’s overall value. Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent, and can save 20 to 50 percent of the energy […]
Many San Diego County residents live near canyons, which are valuable natural resources. Native canyon hillsides should be not be disturbed. When planting in previously disturbed or built slopes and hillsides, low-water plants, trees, deep-rooted native plant species, and climate-appropriate plants with strong root structures should be selected. Their powerful root systems can help hold […]
Just like people, many non-native plants love everything about San Diego County and choose to make it their home. They love it so much these invasive plants have moved in, stretched out, and are doing their best to take over. They do what they can to make room by hurting native plant species. They drain […]
Wildfire is a real and constant threat in San Diego County year-round, but particularly in the late summer and fall months. This is especially true in wildland interface areas where homes are right next to the backcountry. Landscape design, plant selection, and maintenance must be done in accordance with fire-safe guidelines. Wildfire is a real […]
More than 225 San Diego County homeowners have transformed their landscapes into beautiful, climate-appropriate mini-watersheds through the Sustainable Landscapes Incentive Program developed by the San Diego County Water Authority and its partners. Since the program launched in October 2016, more than 354,000 square feet of turf has been removed and replaced with sustainable landscaping. Approximately […]
You may have decided to replace your thirsty traditional lawn in your new sustainable landscape. What options are available for some kind of natural plant element rather than covering the same area with hardscaping? Consider replacing the lawn with a groundcover type plant. There are many good choices that make good lawn substitutes and grow […]
If you have a desire and a need to retain turf as part of your landscaping, consider adopting the most efficient and organic maintenance plan possible. Lawns that are maintained organically and with efficient irrigation can offer a cool, practical surface for active recreation, or just hanging out with your family. Most lawns suffer from […]
In places like San Diego County where water is a very precious resource, landscape designs that use the least potable water necessary are a growing part of the regional ethic. That means property owners should think about the efficiency and sustainability they can achieve in their landscaping. As a general rule, it’s smart to maximize […]
Horticulture director embraces educational mission WaterSmart landscapes are transforming San Diego County’s neighborhoods in part due to the work of Paul Redeker and his colleagues at The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon. “We’re a learning center, not just a place where you’re surrounded by beautiful plants,” said Redeker, who recently returned for a second […]
Landscaping professionals use a resource called the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) to classify plants according to their water needs. It might sound really complex, but it’s really useful because it breaks down the water requirements for each type of plant into four categories: Very Low, Low, Moderate, and High. These water requirements […]
How much water do plants really need in your landscaping? Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process of assessing various factors to determine how much water plants use, and when they need it. ET is a quick, simple way for landscape experts to explain environmental conditions such as solar radiation (sunshine) or cloud cover. The stronger the […]
Water Authority offers tips to keep things cool while using water resources efficiently The first major heat wave of summer 2018 in the San Diego region arrived Friday, and it is expected to continue through the weekend. Temperatures hit a record 111 degrees in communities including El Cajon, Escondido, and Ramona on Friday. The City […]
Healthy, living soil is full of oxygen, water, and life to support your plants. Building healthy soil using layers uses a process called soil sheet mulching, or “Soil Lasagna.” If you have ever cooked lasagna, this will seem familiar. Soil Lasagna boosts healthy microbes so much that they actually cook down the organic matter and […]
If you have made the decision to replace your thirsty, water-guzzling grass, you need to plan your grass removal process carefully to ensure you leave healthy living soil ready for new landscaping in its place. Here’s how to do it: First, keep your grass moist until you remove it. Don’t withhold irrigation and let it […]
Incredible Edibles In Your Sustainable Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalYou don’t have to be a farmer to enjoy edible plants in your sustainable landscaping. Many native plants and herbs have fruit and leaves you can harvest. They can be mixed into any climate-appropriate planting design. Organic growing methods including sheet mulching (as explained in an earlier post) and integrated pest management ensure the health […]
More Trees, Please
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalPlanting trees improves water quality by reducing runoff and soil erosion. It’s also good for the wallet. Healthy, mature trees can add an average of 10 percent to a property’s overall value. Trees properly placed around buildings can reduce air conditioning needs by 30 percent, and can save 20 to 50 percent of the energy […]
Hold Onto Your Hillsides and Slopes
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalMany San Diego County residents live near canyons, which are valuable natural resources. Native canyon hillsides should be not be disturbed. When planting in previously disturbed or built slopes and hillsides, low-water plants, trees, deep-rooted native plant species, and climate-appropriate plants with strong root structures should be selected. Their powerful root systems can help hold […]
Avoid ‘Takeover Artists’ in Your Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalJust like people, many non-native plants love everything about San Diego County and choose to make it their home. They love it so much these invasive plants have moved in, stretched out, and are doing their best to take over. They do what they can to make room by hurting native plant species. They drain […]
Call On These Five Firefighting Plants
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWildfire is a real and constant threat in San Diego County year-round, but particularly in the late summer and fall months. This is especially true in wildland interface areas where homes are right next to the backcountry. Landscape design, plant selection, and maintenance must be done in accordance with fire-safe guidelines. Wildfire is a real […]
Sustainable Landscapes Takes Root in San Diego
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthalby Water News Network staffMore than 225 San Diego County homeowners have transformed their landscapes into beautiful, climate-appropriate mini-watersheds through the Sustainable Landscapes Incentive Program developed by the San Diego County Water Authority and its partners. Since the program launched in October 2016, more than 354,000 square feet of turf has been removed and replaced with sustainable landscaping. Approximately […]
Great Groundcovers To Consider as Lawn Substitutes
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalYou may have decided to replace your thirsty traditional lawn in your new sustainable landscape. What options are available for some kind of natural plant element rather than covering the same area with hardscaping? Consider replacing the lawn with a groundcover type plant. There are many good choices that make good lawn substitutes and grow […]
When It Comes To Lawns, Use it or Lose It
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIf you have a desire and a need to retain turf as part of your landscaping, consider adopting the most efficient and organic maintenance plan possible. Lawns that are maintained organically and with efficient irrigation can offer a cool, practical surface for active recreation, or just hanging out with your family. Most lawns suffer from […]
How Low Can Your Landscape Water Savings Go?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn places like San Diego County where water is a very precious resource, landscape designs that use the least potable water necessary are a growing part of the regional ethic. That means property owners should think about the efficiency and sustainability they can achieve in their landscaping. As a general rule, it’s smart to maximize […]
Inspiring Change at The Water Conservation Garden
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthalby Water News Network staffHorticulture director embraces educational mission WaterSmart landscapes are transforming San Diego County’s neighborhoods in part due to the work of Paul Redeker and his colleagues at The Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon. “We’re a learning center, not just a place where you’re surrounded by beautiful plants,” said Redeker, who recently returned for a second […]
Knowing Your Plants’ Water Needs
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalLandscaping professionals use a resource called the Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) to classify plants according to their water needs. It might sound really complex, but it’s really useful because it breaks down the water requirements for each type of plant into four categories: Very Low, Low, Moderate, and High. These water requirements […]
Evapotranspiration: The Key To Watering Your Plants
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalHow much water do plants really need in your landscaping? Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process of assessing various factors to determine how much water plants use, and when they need it. ET is a quick, simple way for landscape experts to explain environmental conditions such as solar radiation (sunshine) or cloud cover. The stronger the […]
San Diego Region Expects Sizzling Summer Heat
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthalby Water News Network staffWater Authority offers tips to keep things cool while using water resources efficiently The first major heat wave of summer 2018 in the San Diego region arrived Friday, and it is expected to continue through the weekend. Temperatures hit a record 111 degrees in communities including El Cajon, Escondido, and Ramona on Friday. The City […]
Cook Up A Soil Lasagna
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalHealthy, living soil is full of oxygen, water, and life to support your plants. Building healthy soil using layers uses a process called soil sheet mulching, or “Soil Lasagna.” If you have ever cooked lasagna, this will seem familiar. Soil Lasagna boosts healthy microbes so much that they actually cook down the organic matter and […]
The Right Way to Remove Your Lawn
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIf you have made the decision to replace your thirsty, water-guzzling grass, you need to plan your grass removal process carefully to ensure you leave healthy living soil ready for new landscaping in its place. Here’s how to do it: First, keep your grass moist until you remove it. Don’t withhold irrigation and let it […]