Most visitors know San Diego’s Balboa Park for its world-class museums, gardens, and performing arts venues. Behind the scenes is a learning laboratory of environmental best practices. Aaron L. Boyles, sustainability manager for the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, describes an active, collaborative effort moving quickly to make Balboa Park the most sustainable urban park in […]
As early as 1853, farmers in the San Diego region started making the transition from dry land farming and ranching to irrigated agriculture, specifically lucrative citrus crops. With the prospect of large profits looking, farmers scrambled to develop local water supplies for irrigation. A pair of enterprising brothers stepped up to fill the need for […]
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 […]
At the turn of the century, San Diego County began experiencing tremendous urban growth. To meet the growing need of the population, water development began in earnest. It started a transition from relying on well water to impounding river water in the county’s mountains, and then moving it into the urbanized areas. The next few […]
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 […]
Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored Munira Coomber as OMWD’s 2018 winner of the annual Watersmart Landscape Contest at its June 20 meeting. Coomber’s landscape features attractive water-efficient plants in both front and back yards as well as creative design ideas. The centerpiece in the front of the home is […]
When World War II concluded, most experts expected San Diego’s population to decrease, but that was not the case. Pipeline 1 proved inadequate to meet the region’s water needs. Drought years in 1950-51 increased concerns about water shortages. The Water Authority appealed to the U.S. Navy to help build a second pipeline. It was willing, […]
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 […]
The area which constitutes Emerald Hills in San Diego County was once a Kumeyaay Indian burial site. The modern neighborhood is named for the Emerald Hills Country Club and Golf Course, established in the area in 1929 by Art Cloninger, a well-known restauranteur of the era. The hilly area had a magnificent view of the […]
When using mulch in your landscaping, how much mulch do you need? It depends on what job you want it to perform. To hold in moisture and keep down weeds: Use three to six inches of mulch on top of the soil. To maintain planting beds: Maintain two to four inches of mulch on beds […]
Vista, Calif. – The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized one of its customers for their entry in the district’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods of irrigation. Bill and Rachel Williams received the […]
Despite the construction of magificent new dams, the San Diego region suffered from lack of water supplies due to a ten-year drought. Desperate for rain, the City of San Diego hired rainmaker Charles M. Hatfield in December 1915 for $10,000 with the promise he could fill the Morena Reservoir. From January 15 – 20, 1916, […]
Compost and mulch may seem like interchangeable terms for the same thing. But they are two different things with different uses in your landscaping. Compost is a soil amendment. It is made of organic matter such as food scraps, landscape debris, or livestock manure that have already been partially consumed and mostly decomposed by microorganism. […]
A beauty shot of an East County reservoir and a portrait of a young couple at Sunset Cliffs took the top prizes in the San Diego County Water Authority’s “Brought to You by Water” photo contest in honor of Water Awareness Month in May. Dozens of photographers from across the San Diego region putting their […]
Balboa Park Sustainability Efforts Set World-Class Standards
/in Features /by Gayle Falkenthalby Water News Network staffMost visitors know San Diego’s Balboa Park for its world-class museums, gardens, and performing arts venues. Behind the scenes is a learning laboratory of environmental best practices. Aaron L. Boyles, sustainability manager for the Balboa Park Cultural Partnership, describes an active, collaborative effort moving quickly to make Balboa Park the most sustainable urban park in […]
1895: Sweetwater Dam Spurs South Bay Growth
/in Features, From the Archives /by Gayle FalkenthalAs early as 1853, farmers in the San Diego region started making the transition from dry land farming and ranching to irrigated agriculture, specifically lucrative citrus crops. With the prospect of large profits looking, farmers scrambled to develop local water supplies for irrigation. A pair of enterprising brothers stepped up to fill the need for […]
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 […]
1911: Laying Water Pipe To Serve San Diego’s Growing Population
/in Features, From the Archives /by Gayle Falkenthal /San Diego Historical SocietyAt the turn of the century, San Diego County began experiencing tremendous urban growth. To meet the growing need of the population, water development began in earnest. It started a transition from relying on well water to impounding river water in the county’s mountains, and then moving it into the urbanized areas. The next few […]
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 […]
Carlsbad Resident Wins 2018 Olivenhain MWD Landscape Contest
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalEncinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s Board of Directors honored Munira Coomber as OMWD’s 2018 winner of the annual Watersmart Landscape Contest at its June 20 meeting. Coomber’s landscape features attractive water-efficient plants in both front and back yards as well as creative design ideas. The centerpiece in the front of the home is […]
1951: Construction Milestone for Pipeline 2, San Vicente Aqueduct
/in Features, From the Archives /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen World War II concluded, most experts expected San Diego’s population to decrease, but that was not the case. Pipeline 1 proved inadequate to meet the region’s water needs. Drought years in 1950-51 increased concerns about water shortages. The Water Authority appealed to the U.S. Navy to help build a second pipeline. It was willing, […]
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 […]
1920s: Crouch Well, Emerald Hills Country Club
/in Features, From the Archives /by Gayle FalkenthalThe area which constitutes Emerald Hills in San Diego County was once a Kumeyaay Indian burial site. The modern neighborhood is named for the Emerald Hills Country Club and Golf Course, established in the area in 1929 by Art Cloninger, a well-known restauranteur of the era. The hilly area had a magnificent view of the […]
More About Mulch You Need To Know
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen using mulch in your landscaping, how much mulch do you need? It depends on what job you want it to perform. To hold in moisture and keep down weeds: Use three to six inches of mulch on top of the soil. To maintain planting beds: Maintain two to four inches of mulch on beds […]
Vista Irrigation District Announces WaterSmart Landscape Contest Winner
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle Falkenthal /Vista Irrigation Districtby Vista Irrigation DistrictVista, Calif. – The Vista Irrigation District board of directors recognized one of its customers for their entry in the district’s WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The contest recognizes outstanding water-wise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient methods of irrigation. Bill and Rachel Williams received the […]
1916: Record Rainfall Damages Dams, Causes Flooding
/in Features, From the Archives /by Gayle FalkenthalDespite the construction of magificent new dams, the San Diego region suffered from lack of water supplies due to a ten-year drought. Desperate for rain, the City of San Diego hired rainmaker Charles M. Hatfield in December 1915 for $10,000 with the promise he could fill the Morena Reservoir. From January 15 – 20, 1916, […]
Compost vs. Mulch: What’s the Difference?
/in Conservation Corner, Features /by Gayle FalkenthalCompost and mulch may seem like interchangeable terms for the same thing. But they are two different things with different uses in your landscaping. Compost is a soil amendment. It is made of organic matter such as food scraps, landscape debris, or livestock manure that have already been partially consumed and mostly decomposed by microorganism. […]
Regional Photo Contest Awards Top Prizes To Shots of Sunset Cliffs, Sutherland Reservoir
/in Achievements, Features /by Gayle Falkenthalby Water News Network StaffA beauty shot of an East County reservoir and a portrait of a young couple at Sunset Cliffs took the top prizes in the San Diego County Water Authority’s “Brought to You by Water” photo contest in honor of Water Awareness Month in May. Dozens of photographers from across the San Diego region putting their […]