Homeowners and businesses in San Diego County can receive between $2 and $4 per square foot for removing grass and replacing it with low water-use plants that are better suited to withstand the hot and dry conditions that continue to hammer the West.
The past three years have been the driest on record in California and officials warn that streak could continue.
Most of the state is under severe-to-exceptional drought conditions, fueling risks for wildfires and putting Central Valley farmers in an even bigger pinch, as they struggle to keep their crops alive.
The weather, in next couple of months, will determine if there will be some relief for the state. Until then, water officials say conservation needs to remain a way of life.
Water-saving actions by everyone in San Diego County during the current drought can help conserve more of our most precious resource.
While San Diego County continues to have enough water due to long-term investments in water sources and conservation, the region’s long-term supply reliability depends on a continued commitment to water-use efficiency indoors and outdoors by homes and businesses both large and small.
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 Mediterranean climate.
Three San Marcos families invested their time and effort into transforming their front yards into beautiful water-efficient designs. Their hard work has paid off in lower water bills and being named the winners of the 2022 Vallecitos Water District Landscape Makeover Contest.
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.
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 are attractive and in balance with our environment and climate. They incorporate elements of sustainable landscaping such as healthy, living soils, climate-appropriate plants, high-efficiency irrigation and rainwater harvesting, and generate many environmental and community benefits.
Working within the WaterSmart Matrix, you have lots of flexibility when selecting the combination of plants and irrigation to meet your water efficiency goals. Whether you want to create space for entertaining, limit landscape maintenance, or maintain some turf for children and pets, you can reach your water-saving goals and create an outdoor space to live in without resorting to gravel, concrete, or artificial turf.
These three models can help you get started. You can swap plants within the same usage categories, as long as the percentage mix of low, moderate, and high water use plants remain the same.
The Bucks’ winning landscape design includes beautiful outdoor living areas. Photo: Olivenhain Municipal Water District
Low water-use plants: 45%.
Moderate water-use plants: 45%
High water-use plants: 10%
In this style, small areas of turf in the high water use category are balanced by beautiful trees, flowering shrubs, and groundcover choices which thrive in our San Diego-style Mediterranean climate. This is a landscape perfect for outdoor entertaining.
This homeowner took advantage of turf rebates to transform the front yard with climate-appropriate plants. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority.
Low water-use plants: 90%.
High water-use plants: 10%
For even greater water savings, shrubs that thrive in our San Diego-style Mediterranean climate take center stage along with smart choices of drought-tolerant trees and minimal turf for a lush landscape look full of texture and color.
The Everetts’ winning landscape provides a native habitat and saves water. Photo: City of Escondido
Very low water-use plants: 50%.
Low water-use plants: 50%
California native plants and succulents thrive in our environments. They have adapted over thousands of years to survive on limited natural rainfall. Using natives to create natural habitat is the ultimate accomplishment in WaterSmart landscaping design.
Refer to the plant lists in A Homeowner’s Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape, or ask a local nursery professional for help choosing your landscape plants from the appropriate categories.
WaterSmart landscapes are an upgrade, not a compromise. Creating a yard that loves San Diego as much as you do also creates a sustainable habitat that also preserves our native environment. It can save you maintenance time and costs and conserves our most valuable community resource: water.
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(Editor’s Note: The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies offer programs, resources, and incentives to improve water-use efficiency for residential, commercial, and agricultural users. WaterSmart choices are a way of life in the region. Stay WaterSmart San Diego! For more water-use efficiency resources, go to WaterSmart.SD.org.)
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.
Evaluate your results based on the drainage rate. First, dig a hole 12 inches wide by 12 inches deep. Set aside the soil for additional tests.
A simple, quick test will tell you how well your soil drains. Photo: Greywater.org
Next, fill the hole with water. Let it drain overnight. Then fill the hole with water a second time. Set a stick in the hole so water just reaches the top. In one hour, measure the drop in water from the top of the stick in inches.
Drainage less than one inch per hour: Poor Drainage. This may be due to high clay content or soil compaction. Add compost to the soil before planting to improve soil aggregation and water infiltration. Select plants that can tolerate poor drainage or consider using raised beds or mounds. Regular surface applications of shredded mulch may be helpful for long-term management. Irrigation should be scheduled for short cycles and long soak periods to meet plant water demand and avoid runoff.
Drainage is between one to three inches per hour: Acceptable Drainage.
Drainage more than three inches per hour: Water moves too quickly through your soil. Add compost before planting to hold the water in the root zone longer and select plants tolerant of fast drainage. Regular surface applications of shredded mulch may be helpful for long term management. Irrigation scheduling may require longer watering times to ensure plants have enough available water at the root zone.
The Worm Test is another method of providing insight into the health of your soil biology. Sift through the soil removed to perform the drainage test. If you can’t find at least ten earthworms, your soil is low on organics and will benefit from the addition of compost when planting. Use shredded mulch after planting to continue to feed the beneficial organisms. Worms help reduce soil compaction, allowing water and air to move into the soil to provide healthy growing conditions and maximize efficient water usage.
The Squeeze Test can help you determine the texture of your soil. Start by taking a handful of moistened (but not wet) soil and squeeze it firmly. Open your hand and determine which of the following it most resembles.
This soil isn’t retaining enough moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz
High sand content soil. A ball of soil falls apart when you open your hand.
This soil retains the correct and healthy amount of moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz
Loamy soil. The ball of soil holds its shape but crumbles when you poke it lightly.
This soil retains too much moisture. Photo: UC Santa Cruz
High clay content soil. Holds its shape and does not crumble when you poke it lightly. Sand is quick draining but has a limited ability to retain nutrients and moisture. Sandy soils often benefit from the addition of organic matter.
Loam is generally considered ideal soil because it retains moisture and nutrients but doesn’t stay soggy. Clay is typically nutrient-rich but has poor drainage. Drainage can sometimes be improved by deep cultivation which breaks up the hard layer of soil
Use this graphic as an example. Aim to get the most even distribution, as shown with the loam jar. Image: San Diego County Water Authority
For the Jar Test, use a one-quart size glass container, such as a Mason Jar. Add one cup of soil from the garden. Add three cups of distilled water. Close and shake the jar until all solids are suspended in water.
Place the container on a shelf and wait 24 hours. If the container is cloudy, then wait another 24 hours. After 48 hours, the layers should be settled with sand on the bottom, silt in the middle, and clay on top.
Measure the layers in proportion to each other. Refer to the graphic to determine your soil type based on the proportions of sand, silt, and clay. Refer to the USDA soil triangle with the soil separation percentages to determine your soil texture.
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(Editor’s Note: The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies offer programs, resources, and incentives to improve water-use efficiency for residential, commercial, and agricultural users. WaterSmart choices are a way of life in the region. Stay WaterSmart San Diego! For more water-use efficiency resources, go to WaterSmart.SD.org.)
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 as a reference to help you understand the steps involved. You will be better equipped to work through the project with the help of a landscape professional.
Professionals trained in different aspects of sustainable landscaping can help you ensure the success of your project. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority
Landscape Architect. A professional licensed by the State of California who can design and develop detailed construction plans and specifications. A Landscape Architect is not licensed to provide installation/construction services. For more information, visit the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) San Diego Chapter website and the State Licensing Board website.
Landscape Designer. A person who provides landscape design and horticulture services, such as design concepts, planting plans, and selection of materials. For more information, visit the California Association of Professional Landscape Designers website.
Landscape Contractor. A professional licensed by the State of California to install/construct, and maintain landscapes. If a Landscape Contractor installs a project, they can also design it. For more information, visit the California Contractors Association website and the State Licensing Board website.
QWEL (Qualified Water Efficient Landscaper) Trained in water-wise landscape practices, including plant selection, irrigation system design, and water management, a QWEL graduate will help meet your landscape needs while keeping your outdoor water use in check.
Irrigation Designer. A person who provides irrigation design services. Irrigation designers may achieve certification with the Irrigation Association. Visit its website for more information.
For more tips on hiring a professional to help you create a WaterSmart Landscape, refer to the eGuide to a WaterSmart Lifestyle for additional information at WaterSmartSD.org.
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(Editor’s Note: The San Diego County Water Authority and its 24 member agencies offer programs, resources, and incentives to improve water-use efficiency for residential, commercial, and agricultural users. WaterSmart choices are a way of life in the region. Stay WaterSmart San Diego! For more water-use efficiency resources, go to WaterSmart.SD.org.)
