The San Diego County Water Authority and waterwise garden guru Nan Sterman have teamed up to offer a series of free public webinars designed to help San Diego County residents care for their gardens during a fourth straight year of severe drought. Starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2, Sterman will host periodic webinars during […]
If you’re looking to upgrade your landscape or just love gardens, it can be challenging to choose the right plant that will thrive within your WaterSmart Living landscape plans for your specific conditions. The online plant finder WaterSmart Landscaping in San Diego County can assist you through a comprehensive database of choices well suited to this region’s […]
Using water efficiently is a way of life and an important responsibility in a beautiful, Mediterranean climate like San Diego County. WaterSmart landscaping is all about rethinking the way limited water resources are applied and making smart choices to reduce outdoor water use. Saving water isn’t the only reason for a WaterSmart garden. WaterSmart landscapes […]
Soil is essential to a healthy landscape and efficient water use. Learn about your soil’s characteristics and how to care for it. The results include easier maintenance, a healthier environment, and a more beautiful landscape. Here are some simple tests to help you evaluate your soil. Soil Drainage Assessment Evaluate your results based on the […]
As the unprecedented drought continues to affect California and the San Diego region, homeowners can still balance the need to conserve water as efficiently as possible while preserving valuable landscaping, including trees. Trees can be maintained while following California’s water guidelines. Trees are among the most valuable investment in San Diego County’s landscape – including […]
If you choose to design, implement and maintain a new WaterSmart landscape yourself, you can follow the Homeowner’s Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape to help you plan, prepare, and work through each step. Free classes and online videos can help. If you’re interested in hiring a landscape professional, the WaterSmart Landscape guide is also helpful […]
Whether you install a new WaterSmart Living landscape or are just looking for tips on how to conserve water in your existing landscape, the following section can help you make an immediate impact on your landscape water savings. View these tips, and follow the guidelines below Plan ahead. Keep a copy of the plant legend, […]
With your new WaterSmart landscaping plans complete, demolition and turf removal done, and your new irrigation system in place, it’s time to get started on the plant installation. For most homeowners, this is the most rewarding part of the process seeing your new landscaping come to life. Review the following tips to help you through […]
Successfully installing WaterSmart Living irrigation starts long before you get out your tools. You need to complete an assessment of your landscape plan’s specific water needs, draw a complete plan showing the layout, then select your irrigation and purchase your irrigation equipment. If your soil needs amendments (and it almost certainly does), you must get […]
Once you’ve finalized your landscaping plans, you’ll have some demolition work ahead of you, including the existing turf you plan to remove or replace. Removing turf presents choices about the best way to accomplish this task. Learn more about turf removal options and understand the steps before you begin. Start here with this video demonstrating […]
Irrigation is an essential part of any good landscape design. It ensures plants and trees get the water they need to thrive without wasting a drop. Once you know how much water your landscape plants require, it’s time to take a closer look at your irrigation system. Whether you are working with a professional designer […]
Once your WaterSmart Living Landscape design starts coming together, pick your plants for each water-use category to ensure you meet your WaterSmart water conservation goals. Focus on local native plants or plants from similar climate regions. Let this video help you choose the right plants for our Mediterranean climate Once you’ve chosen your plant types, […]
When designing your WaterSmart Living landscape, you want your new outdoor space to fit your house, your neighborhood, and your lifestyle. Finding that fit begins by asking a few basic questions. First, how do you want to use your space? It’s possible to significantly improve your home’s water efficiency and meet your lifestyle needs at […]
When undertaking a WaterSmart landscape renovation, strive to continuously feed as much organic matter as possible to the landscape soil to keep it healthy. Start first with compost and mulch to jump-start the process. Eventually, your plants will feed themselves with their own leaf litter. Organic matter feeds microbes living in the soil that make […]
Healthy soil consists of elements we don’t typically think of as soil at all. In fact, one of the most critical aspects of soil is the space between the particles. Soil space results from a process called aggregation. Solid matter will aggregate under the right conditions, forming space between the masses. This allows air and […]
Free “Drought-Proof Your Garden” Webinars with Waterwise Garden Guru
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Mike LeeThe San Diego County Water Authority and waterwise garden guru Nan Sterman have teamed up to offer a series of free public webinars designed to help San Diego County residents care for their gardens during a fourth straight year of severe drought. Starting at 7 p.m. on Nov. 2, Sterman will host periodic webinars during […]
Find the Right Plant for Your Landscape Plans Online
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalIf you’re looking to upgrade your landscape or just love gardens, it can be challenging to choose the right plant that will thrive within your WaterSmart Living landscape plans for your specific conditions. The online plant finder WaterSmart Landscaping in San Diego County can assist you through a comprehensive database of choices well suited to this region’s […]
WaterSmart Living Landscapes Come in Many Styles
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalUsing water efficiently is a way of life and an important responsibility in a beautiful, Mediterranean climate like San Diego County. WaterSmart landscaping is all about rethinking the way limited water resources are applied and making smart choices to reduce outdoor water use. Saving water isn’t the only reason for a WaterSmart garden. WaterSmart landscapes […]
Getting the Dirt on Healthy Landscape Soil
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSoil is essential to a healthy landscape and efficient water use. Learn about your soil’s characteristics and how to care for it. The results include easier maintenance, a healthier environment, and a more beautiful landscape. Here are some simple tests to help you evaluate your soil. Soil Drainage Assessment Evaluate your results based on the […]
Make Landscape Trees a Priority During Drought
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalAs the unprecedented drought continues to affect California and the San Diego region, homeowners can still balance the need to conserve water as efficiently as possible while preserving valuable landscaping, including trees. Trees can be maintained while following California’s water guidelines. Trees are among the most valuable investment in San Diego County’s landscape – including […]
Do It Yourself or Hire a Landscape Professional?
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalIf you choose to design, implement and maintain a new WaterSmart landscape yourself, you can follow the Homeowner’s Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape to help you plan, prepare, and work through each step. Free classes and online videos can help. If you’re interested in hiring a landscape professional, the WaterSmart Landscape guide is also helpful […]
Caring For Your WaterSmart Living Landscape
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWhether you install a new WaterSmart Living landscape or are just looking for tips on how to conserve water in your existing landscape, the following section can help you make an immediate impact on your landscape water savings. View these tips, and follow the guidelines below Plan ahead. Keep a copy of the plant legend, […]
Plant Installation Brings Your New WaterSmart Landscape to Life
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWith your new WaterSmart landscaping plans complete, demolition and turf removal done, and your new irrigation system in place, it’s time to get started on the plant installation. For most homeowners, this is the most rewarding part of the process seeing your new landscaping come to life. Review the following tips to help you through […]
Installing WaterSmart Living Irrigation
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalSuccessfully installing WaterSmart Living irrigation starts long before you get out your tools. You need to complete an assessment of your landscape plan’s specific water needs, draw a complete plan showing the layout, then select your irrigation and purchase your irrigation equipment. If your soil needs amendments (and it almost certainly does), you must get […]
Best Options For Turf Removal
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalOnce you’ve finalized your landscaping plans, you’ll have some demolition work ahead of you, including the existing turf you plan to remove or replace. Removing turf presents choices about the best way to accomplish this task. Learn more about turf removal options and understand the steps before you begin. Start here with this video demonstrating […]
Irrigate Your WaterSmart Landscape Like a Pro
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalIrrigation is an essential part of any good landscape design. It ensures plants and trees get the water they need to thrive without wasting a drop. Once you know how much water your landscape plants require, it’s time to take a closer look at your irrigation system. Whether you are working with a professional designer […]
How to Pick Your Plants for a Successful WaterSmart Landscape
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalOnce your WaterSmart Living Landscape design starts coming together, pick your plants for each water-use category to ensure you meet your WaterSmart water conservation goals. Focus on local native plants or plants from similar climate regions. Let this video help you choose the right plants for our Mediterranean climate Once you’ve chosen your plant types, […]
Designing Your WaterSmart Living Landscape to Fit Your Life
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen designing your WaterSmart Living landscape, you want your new outdoor space to fit your house, your neighborhood, and your lifestyle. Finding that fit begins by asking a few basic questions. First, how do you want to use your space? It’s possible to significantly improve your home’s water efficiency and meet your lifestyle needs at […]
Using Compost and Mulch to Build Healthy Soil
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWhen undertaking a WaterSmart landscape renovation, strive to continuously feed as much organic matter as possible to the landscape soil to keep it healthy. Start first with compost and mulch to jump-start the process. Eventually, your plants will feed themselves with their own leaf litter. Organic matter feeds microbes living in the soil that make […]
Building Healthy Soil: Give It Some Space
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalHealthy soil consists of elements we don’t typically think of as soil at all. In fact, one of the most critical aspects of soil is the space between the particles. Soil space results from a process called aggregation. Solid matter will aggregate under the right conditions, forming space between the masses. This allows air and […]