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 […]
Use these helpful tips to get the most from every drop of irrigation applied to your landscaping through the smart use of irrigation systems and supplemental hand watering. Keep water on your landscaping Watch your irrigation while the system is running. Check to make sure sprinkler heads aren’t spraying water onto sidewalks, patios or structures. […]
The 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest invites homeowners across San Diego County to share their landscaping makeovers to inspire and encourage more people to consider their own makeovers by showcasing the beauty and variety of water-efficient landscapes. The winning landscape from each of the participating water agencies will receive a prize valued at $250 and be […]
Irrigation systems have a lot of interconnected mechanical elements. They must be thoughtfully designed, installed and programmed. Once in place, irrigation systems must be maintained properly for optimal performance. “Irrigation efficiency” is a way of describing how well your irrigation system is delivering water for the beneficial use of the plants in your landscaping. Issues […]
It’s smart to use existing depressions, slopes and contours for guidance when planning your landscape grading. If your yard is perfectly flat, you’ll need to move soil and features around to create more rain-holding contour areas. Do a Percolation Test, and prep your soil as needed to make it as much of a water-retaining sponge […]
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 […]
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 […]
Top Irrigation Tips for Smart Landscape Management
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongUse these helpful tips to get the most from every drop of irrigation applied to your landscaping through the smart use of irrigation systems and supplemental hand watering. Keep water on your landscaping Watch your irrigation while the system is running. Check to make sure sprinkler heads aren’t spraying water onto sidewalks, patios or structures. […]
WaterSmart Landscape Contest Seeks Inspiring Entries
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe 2019 WaterSmart Landscape Contest invites homeowners across San Diego County to share their landscaping makeovers to inspire and encourage more people to consider their own makeovers by showcasing the beauty and variety of water-efficient landscapes. The winning landscape from each of the participating water agencies will receive a prize valued at $250 and be […]
Irrigation Efficiency Impacts Plant Health and Water Use
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Kristiene GongIrrigation systems have a lot of interconnected mechanical elements. They must be thoughtfully designed, installed and programmed. Once in place, irrigation systems must be maintained properly for optimal performance. “Irrigation efficiency” is a way of describing how well your irrigation system is delivering water for the beneficial use of the plants in your landscaping. Issues […]
Contouring Tips Help You Make The Grade
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIt’s smart to use existing depressions, slopes and contours for guidance when planning your landscape grading. If your yard is perfectly flat, you’ll need to move soil and features around to create more rain-holding contour areas. Do a Percolation Test, and prep your soil as needed to make it as much of a water-retaining sponge […]
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 […]