Earlier in our Conservation Corner series, we described how to map the different types of microclimates present in your landscaping. Using this information helps homeowners arrange plants in a new sustainable landscape. For the most efficient water use, plants should be grouped together with similar water needs according to their preferred microclimate. In nature, plants […]
Every garden has completely different cultivation characteristics, even those located in the same general climate zone. For example, there will be areas where plants will flourish. Numerous features affect your growing conditions. Structures, walls, fences, and other plants can affect the amount of sun and shade in a garden. There can be hills and hollows […]
Flowering plants rely on insects, birds, and other creators for pollination. In turn, plants attracting pollinators feed and house beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, and nectar-loving birds like hummingbirds. Some bugs eat too much, destroying their plant hosts and spreading disease. Other beneficial insects fight off the destructive species, eating them or disrupting their […]
Many San Diego County native plants and herbs have fruits and leaves you can harvest. They can be mixed into any climate-appropriate planting design. You don’t have to be a farmer to grow and enjoy them in your sustainable landscaping. For the health of your urban farming crops, consider employing organic growing methods including sheet […]
Trees are the single most valuable addition to your waterwise landscaping. Trees create improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. They also improve air quality and provide habitat for insects, birds, and animals. Healthy, mature trees are so beneficial, they can add an average of 10% to a property’s overall value. When thoughtfully […]
San Diego County features many native canyons, and many homes are located in proximity to a native canyon. Native canyon hillsides near your home should not be disturbed. The more you can adapt your home’s landscaping to Nature’s landscaping, the healthier and more low maintenance it will be. Your home may have been built on […]
San Diego County’s mild Mediterranean climate allows nearly any type of plants to flourish with adequate irrigation. But when non-native plants are planted alongside native plants, they do their best to take over. These are plant pests. The worst of them overrun valuable native plant species. They drain limited rainfall and soil nutrients away from […]
As spring temperatures rise, San Diego County residents know wildfire season is not far behind. Although wildfire is a serious threat during warm, dry summer and fall months, wildfire can strike year-round especially in wildland interface areas. Regional landscaping must follow fire safe guidelines in design, plant selection and consistent maintenance. Protecting your home with […]
You’ve decided to eliminate the thirsty turf areas in your current landscaping when planning your new sustainable landscape. It’s tempting to install hardscape. It needs no water at all. It might seem like a smart idea, but it creates a new problem: stormwater runoff. It can also increase temperatures and add in its own small […]
In a waterwise landscape, there’s still a place for turf. You may not need as much, and you need to create the most efficient and organic maintenance plan possible to work turf into your design. The good news: lawns maintained organically and with efficient irrigation can offer a cool, practical surface for active recreation, or […]
Landscape designs using the least amount of potable water necessary are greatly encouraged in arid or Mediterranean climates like in San Diego County. It’s an important motivation for homeowners to consider efficiency and sustainability to lower water use, saving a precious resource. Maximizing your landscaping’s ability to capture and use natural rainfall can also help […]
Landscaping plants have different water needs. The water requirement of each plant in your landscaping can be determined by gathering information about the plant and then comparing it to the amount of water needed by the cool-season grass growing in your climate zone. Take a tip from landscaping professionals. They use a resource called the […]
When you’re replacing your landscaping with an eye to conserving water, it’s important to understand how much water plants really need. A quick, simple way landscape experts do this is a method the home landscaper can use, too. Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process of assessing various factors to determine how much water plants use, and […]
Healthy, living soil is full of oxygen, water, and life to support your plants. This is the food your plants need to consume for good health. Creating healthy soil in layers is referred to as soil sheet mulching, or “soil lasagna.” It isn’t too much different than cooking a pan of lasagna in your kitchen. […]
The day has come to replace your thirsty, water guzzling grass. Before you remove it, plan your process carefully to leave only healthy living soil as the foundation for a beautiful, thriving new landscape. Don’t just turn off your irrigation and let your grass turn brown as it dies off. Healthy microbes in your soil […]
Microclimate Matching in Your Landscaping Plan
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEarlier in our Conservation Corner series, we described how to map the different types of microclimates present in your landscaping. Using this information helps homeowners arrange plants in a new sustainable landscape. For the most efficient water use, plants should be grouped together with similar water needs according to their preferred microclimate. In nature, plants […]
How to Choose Plants for Landscape Microclimates
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEvery garden has completely different cultivation characteristics, even those located in the same general climate zone. For example, there will be areas where plants will flourish. Numerous features affect your growing conditions. Structures, walls, fences, and other plants can affect the amount of sun and shade in a garden. There can be hills and hollows […]
Attracting Pollinators to Your Garden
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalFlowering plants rely on insects, birds, and other creators for pollination. In turn, plants attracting pollinators feed and house beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, and nectar-loving birds like hummingbirds. Some bugs eat too much, destroying their plant hosts and spreading disease. Other beneficial insects fight off the destructive species, eating them or disrupting their […]
Enjoy Urban Farming While Being Water Smart
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalMany San Diego County native plants and herbs have fruits and leaves you can harvest. They can be mixed into any climate-appropriate planting design. You don’t have to be a farmer to grow and enjoy them in your sustainable landscaping. For the health of your urban farming crops, consider employing organic growing methods including sheet […]
Waterwise Tree Choices for Watersmart Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalTrees are the single most valuable addition to your waterwise landscaping. Trees create improved water quality, resulting in less runoff and erosion. They also improve air quality and provide habitat for insects, birds, and animals. Healthy, mature trees are so beneficial, they can add an average of 10% to a property’s overall value. When thoughtfully […]
Protect Your Hillsides and Slopes
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County features many native canyons, and many homes are located in proximity to a native canyon. Native canyon hillsides near your home should not be disturbed. The more you can adapt your home’s landscaping to Nature’s landscaping, the healthier and more low maintenance it will be. Your home may have been built on […]
Five Pushy Plant Pests To Avoid
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalSan Diego County’s mild Mediterranean climate allows nearly any type of plants to flourish with adequate irrigation. But when non-native plants are planted alongside native plants, they do their best to take over. These are plant pests. The worst of them overrun valuable native plant species. They drain limited rainfall and soil nutrients away from […]
Five Firefighting Plants Worth Adding to Your Landscaping
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalAs spring temperatures rise, San Diego County residents know wildfire season is not far behind. Although wildfire is a serious threat during warm, dry summer and fall months, wildfire can strike year-round especially in wildland interface areas. Regional landscaping must follow fire safe guidelines in design, plant selection and consistent maintenance. Protecting your home with […]
12 Grand Groundcovers to Use as Lawn Substitutes
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalYou’ve decided to eliminate the thirsty turf areas in your current landscaping when planning your new sustainable landscape. It’s tempting to install hardscape. It needs no water at all. It might seem like a smart idea, but it creates a new problem: stormwater runoff. It can also increase temperatures and add in its own small […]
Love Your Lawn Organically
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalIn a waterwise landscape, there’s still a place for turf. You may not need as much, and you need to create the most efficient and organic maintenance plan possible to work turf into your design. The good news: lawns maintained organically and with efficient irrigation can offer a cool, practical surface for active recreation, or […]
How Much Water Can Your New Landscape Conserve?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalLandscape designs using the least amount of potable water necessary are greatly encouraged in arid or Mediterranean climates like in San Diego County. It’s an important motivation for homeowners to consider efficiency and sustainability to lower water use, saving a precious resource. Maximizing your landscaping’s ability to capture and use natural rainfall can also help […]
Know Your Plant Factor Water Requirements
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalLandscaping plants have different water needs. The water requirement of each plant in your landscaping can be determined by gathering information about the plant and then comparing it to the amount of water needed by the cool-season grass growing in your climate zone. Take a tip from landscaping professionals. They use a resource called the […]
One Simple Key to Watering Your Plants
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen you’re replacing your landscaping with an eye to conserving water, it’s important to understand how much water plants really need. A quick, simple way landscape experts do this is a method the home landscaper can use, too. Evapotranspiration (ET) is the process of assessing various factors to determine how much water plants use, and […]
Soil Lasagna Cooks Up A Tasty Landscape
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalHealthy, living soil is full of oxygen, water, and life to support your plants. This is the food your plants need to consume for good health. Creating healthy soil in layers is referred to as soil sheet mulching, or “soil lasagna.” It isn’t too much different than cooking a pan of lasagna in your kitchen. […]
Remove Your Lawn the Healthy Way
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalThe day has come to replace your thirsty, water guzzling grass. Before you remove it, plan your process carefully to leave only healthy living soil as the foundation for a beautiful, thriving new landscape. Don’t just turn off your irrigation and let your grass turn brown as it dies off. Healthy microbes in your soil […]