One of the most valuable tools for managing water retention and avoiding stormwater runoff while improving your landscaping soil harnesses the power of worms – earthworks, to be specific. Vermiculture and vermicomposting are eco-friendly tools using earthworms to transform organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. This process benefits gardeners and the environment. In the San Diego […]
With climatologists predicting the potential for above-average precipitation in the months ahead due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, it’s an ideal time to take advantage of the County of San Diego’s upcoming rainwater harvesting workshops and rain barrel rebates. The County’s Waterscape Rebate Program will host free rainwater harvesting workshops in Fall and Winter […]
The San Diego County Water Authority offers free WaterSmart classes, with both virtual and in-person options, taught by local landscape design professionals. Classes help participants understand landscape design and maintenance, soil identification and health, turf types and removal tips, plant selection, rainwater catchment, irrigation retrofits and project installation, whether completed as a DIY project or […]
Large trees were the driving force that led Encinitas homeowners to remove grass and create a vibrant, low-water use landscape. The waterwise transformation won the San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest. Rick and Melanie Cullen had a yard with grass with large shade trees. But the roots of their three large Liquidambar trees […]
Three resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest. Video features the three winning projects Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing […]
Vista Homeowner Diane Krupnak redesigned her front yard to save water and won the 2023 Vista Irrigation District WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest recognizes outstanding waterwise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient irrigation methods. Workshops provide homeowner know-how Concerned by the severity of […]
National City homeowner Catalina Schultz decided to reinvent her yard. Her landscape transformation from grass to a low-water use design is the 2023 winner of the Sweetwater Authority WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Contest. Schultz’s landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California-friendly landscape using less water. Schultz was recognized for her accomplishment at the Authority’s […]
By taking a watershed approach to his landscape redesign, homeowner Brad Lefkowits won the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest. Lefkowits was recognized at the June 21 OMWD Board of Directors meeting. The WaterSmart Landscape Contest is held annually by water agencies throughout San Diego County. Entries highlight colorful and lush landscapes that […]
If you’re ready to move ahead with plans to create a water-efficient landscape, the San Diego County Fair is a good place to start. There are several award-winning examples of creative low-water use and native plant gardens at the fair’s popular Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show exhibit area. (The San Diego County Water Authority has […]
“Thanks for Planting Me!” encourages more widespread adoption of sustainable landscapes to prepare the Southern California region for a hotter and drier climate. The “Thanks for Planting Me!” summer campaign offers gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of San Diegans who have transformed their landscapes using low-water and native plants as part of a larger […]
In Jeanne Reutlinger’s world, gardening is an act of collaboration with friends and neighbors — meaning you don’t need much of a budget at all to create a prize-winning front yard. In Reutlinger’s case, her garden is the 2022 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner for the city of Escondido’s water district. (Editor’s Note: Residents of San […]
Lake San Marcos area homeowners associations are conserving water and helping restore the area’s watershed with support from the County of San Diego’s Watershed Rebate program. The rebate program is part of the County’s Watershed Protection Program. Through a partnership between the program and the San Diego County Water Authority, residences and businesses in unincorporated […]
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 […]
Worms Boost WaterSmart Landscaping
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalOne of the most valuable tools for managing water retention and avoiding stormwater runoff while improving your landscaping soil harnesses the power of worms – earthworks, to be specific. Vermiculture and vermicomposting are eco-friendly tools using earthworms to transform organic waste into nutrient-rich compost. This process benefits gardeners and the environment. In the San Diego […]
Rain Barrel Rebates Timed for Rainy Season
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalWith climatologists predicting the potential for above-average precipitation in the months ahead due to the El Niño weather phenomenon, it’s an ideal time to take advantage of the County of San Diego’s upcoming rainwater harvesting workshops and rain barrel rebates. The County’s Waterscape Rebate Program will host free rainwater harvesting workshops in Fall and Winter […]
Free WaterSmart Classes Help Residents Transform Landscapes
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Kristiene GongThe San Diego County Water Authority offers free WaterSmart classes, with both virtual and in-person options, taught by local landscape design professionals. Classes help participants understand landscape design and maintenance, soil identification and health, turf types and removal tips, plant selection, rainwater catchment, irrigation retrofits and project installation, whether completed as a DIY project or […]
Mountains Inspire Winners of San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalLarge trees were the driving force that led Encinitas homeowners to remove grass and create a vibrant, low-water use landscape. The waterwise transformation won the San Dieguito Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest. Rick and Melanie Cullen had a yard with grass with large shade trees. But the roots of their three large Liquidambar trees […]
Vallecitos Water District 2023 Landscape Makeover Winners Find Inspiration
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalThree resourceful homeowners took advantage of free resources, including design and plant selection advice, to create beautiful drought-tolerant landscapes. Their projects were named winners of the 2023 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest. Video features the three winning projects Dean Williams: Drab To Delightful Carlsbad homeowner Dean Williams and his wife didn’t like their existing […]
Vista Irrigation District Landscape Winner Complements Home Design
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalVista Homeowner Diane Krupnak redesigned her front yard to save water and won the 2023 Vista Irrigation District WaterSmart Landscape Contest. The annual contest recognizes outstanding waterwise residential landscapes based on the criteria of overall attractiveness, appropriate plant selection, design, appropriate maintenance, and efficient irrigation methods. Workshops provide homeowner know-how Concerned by the severity of […]
Landscape Transformation Wins Sweetwater Authority Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalNational City homeowner Catalina Schultz decided to reinvent her yard. Her landscape transformation from grass to a low-water use design is the 2023 winner of the Sweetwater Authority WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Contest. Schultz’s landscape demonstrates how homeowners can create a beautiful, California-friendly landscape using less water. Schultz was recognized for her accomplishment at the Authority’s […]
Family Friendly Watershed Approach Wins Olivenhain MWD 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalBy taking a watershed approach to his landscape redesign, homeowner Brad Lefkowits won the Olivenhain Municipal Water District’s 2023 Landscape Makeover Contest. Lefkowits was recognized at the June 21 OMWD Board of Directors meeting. The WaterSmart Landscape Contest is held annually by water agencies throughout San Diego County. Entries highlight colorful and lush landscapes that […]
County Fair Exhibits Delight Visitors with Low-Water Use Landscaping
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalIf you’re ready to move ahead with plans to create a water-efficient landscape, the San Diego County Fair is a good place to start. There are several award-winning examples of creative low-water use and native plant gardens at the fair’s popular Paul Ecke Jr. Garden Show exhibit area. (The San Diego County Water Authority has […]
“Thanks for Planting Me!” Spokesplants Promote Landscape Transformation
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Kristiene Gong“Thanks for Planting Me!” encourages more widespread adoption of sustainable landscapes to prepare the Southern California region for a hotter and drier climate. The “Thanks for Planting Me!” summer campaign offers gratitude to the hundreds of thousands of San Diegans who have transformed their landscapes using low-water and native plants as part of a larger […]
WaterSmart Makeover: Escondido Yard is a Handcrafted Haven
/in Home Headline, Media Coverage, San Diego County, WaterSmart Living /by Mike Lee /The San Diego Union-Tribuneby Caron GoldenIn Jeanne Reutlinger’s world, gardening is an act of collaboration with friends and neighbors — meaning you don’t need much of a budget at all to create a prize-winning front yard. In Reutlinger’s case, her garden is the 2022 WaterSmart Landscape Contest winner for the city of Escondido’s water district. (Editor’s Note: Residents of San […]
Lake San Marcos HOA Landscape Makeovers Benefit From County Watershed Restoration Program
/in Features, WaterSmart Living /by Gayle FalkenthalLake San Marcos area homeowners associations are conserving water and helping restore the area’s watershed with support from the County of San Diego’s Watershed Rebate program. The rebate program is part of the County’s Watershed Protection Program. Through a partnership between the program and the San Diego County Water Authority, residences and businesses in unincorporated […]
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 […]