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 […]
In the San Diego region, rainfall can be unreliable and insufficient to sustain landscaping without careful planning and a little help. An alternate water source, such as irrigation, may be required. To make choices about the best, most efficient irrigation system for your landscape, it’s important to learn how well your soil drains. How does […]
During the rainy season, runoff from hard surfaces around the home such as roofs and patios can be directed to the permeable landscaping. By capturing as much rainwater as possible in the soil, it is possible to build an ecosystem that can last through the summer months with minimal additional irrigation. The entire built environment […]
Before adding irrigation to landscaping, make sure it’s needed. Appearances can be misleading, and cause water to be used unnecessarily. First, use “digital” technology. Because soil may appear dry on the surface, stick your finger into the soil and see if the soil is wet beneath the surface. If the soil is moist up to […]
Managing water wisely in a landscape is a lot like managing a bank savings account. Approximately half of the water spent by average California homes is used outdoors, mostly for irrigation. Unfortunately, up to half of commercial and residential irrigation water is squandered by evaporation, wind, improper system design, or overwatering, according to the U.S. […]
When choosing plants for new sustainable landscapes, it’s important to account for the height and the width of each plant species when it matures. This allows you to properly space plants in the landscape without having them feel crowded. Proper plant placement, taking into account the mature plant’s size, also should limit the need for […]
In nature, plants arrange themselves into communities of “friends” based on common microclimates, water and nutrient needs, and how they interact with the physical environment. Native plant communities also are based on interactions with each other and other species such as insects, birds, and other animals. Most plant communities occur repeatedly in natural landscapes under […]
San Diego County residents have targeted more than 1 million square feet of turf grass for replacement with WaterSmart landscaping through free landscape makeover classes sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority over the past five years. While not all the targeted turf has actually been removed, post-class surveys show that many participants end […]
Plants and people have similar likes and dislikes when it comes to their feet. Of course, plants don’t literally have the kind of feet that take them on a stroll, but a plant’s roots are often referred to as “feet.” Just like most people enjoy a walk along the beach or wading in a pool […]
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 […]
Take a Soil Percolation Test
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn the San Diego region, rainfall can be unreliable and insufficient to sustain landscaping without careful planning and a little help. An alternate water source, such as irrigation, may be required. To make choices about the best, most efficient irrigation system for your landscape, it’s important to learn how well your soil drains. How does […]
Rainwater as a Resource for Your Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalDuring the rainy season, runoff from hard surfaces around the home such as roofs and patios can be directed to the permeable landscaping. By capturing as much rainwater as possible in the soil, it is possible to build an ecosystem that can last through the summer months with minimal additional irrigation. The entire built environment […]
Does Your Landscaping Need Water?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalBefore adding irrigation to landscaping, make sure it’s needed. Appearances can be misleading, and cause water to be used unnecessarily. First, use “digital” technology. Because soil may appear dry on the surface, stick your finger into the soil and see if the soil is wet beneath the surface. If the soil is moist up to […]
Building a Water Savings Account
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalManaging water wisely in a landscape is a lot like managing a bank savings account. Approximately half of the water spent by average California homes is used outdoors, mostly for irrigation. Unfortunately, up to half of commercial and residential irrigation water is squandered by evaporation, wind, improper system design, or overwatering, according to the U.S. […]
Give New Landscape Plants Space To Grow
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen choosing plants for new sustainable landscapes, it’s important to account for the height and the width of each plant species when it matures. This allows you to properly space plants in the landscape without having them feel crowded. Proper plant placement, taking into account the mature plant’s size, also should limit the need for […]
Mirroring Native Plant Communities in Sustainable Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn nature, plants arrange themselves into communities of “friends” based on common microclimates, water and nutrient needs, and how they interact with the physical environment. Native plant communities also are based on interactions with each other and other species such as insects, birds, and other animals. Most plant communities occur repeatedly in natural landscapes under […]
Tearing Out the Turf: 1 Million Square Feet Targeted for Removal
/in Conservation Corner, Education, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County residents have targeted more than 1 million square feet of turf grass for replacement with WaterSmart landscaping through free landscape makeover classes sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority over the past five years. While not all the targeted turf has actually been removed, post-class surveys show that many participants end […]
Plants With Wet Feet and Dry Feet
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalPlants and people have similar likes and dislikes when it comes to their feet. Of course, plants don’t literally have the kind of feet that take them on a stroll, but a plant’s roots are often referred to as “feet.” Just like most people enjoy a walk along the beach or wading in a pool […]