Tag Archive for: Landscaping

National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, reminds us of the many benefits that trees have to offer. Photo: Pixabay/Creative Commons

Celebrate Arbor Day: Discover How Planting More Trees in San Diego Supports Climate Resiliency

/in /by

Trees are among the most valuable investments in San Diego County’s landscape, including in your landscaping. No other plant plays a more significant role in fighting climate change, supporting sustainability, and maintaining a healthy watershed than trees.

National Arbor Day on Friday, April 25, reminds us of the many benefits that trees have to offer, with tree planting events planned throughout San Diego County.

Arbor Day 2025 Events

San Diego County residents can volunteer at several tree planting events on Arbor Day. Photo: City of San Diego

San Diego County residents can volunteer at several tree planting events on Arbor Day. Photo: City of San Diego

The City of San Diego celebrates Arbor Day on Friday with an official Arbor Day Ceremony at 9 a.m., followed by a tree planting event at Colina Del Sol Park in City Heights in partnership with Tree San Diego. Members of the public are invited to volunteer. For information and to register, go to the City of San Diego Arbor Day webpage.

Tree San Diego and the City of Chula Vista will host a tree-planting event for Arbor Day at Horizon Park from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Volunteers can register here.

The City of Lemon Grove hosts an Earth Day and Arbor Day Fair on Saturday, April 26, starting at 9 a.m. at 3200 Main Street.

Forever Balboa Park is also hosting an Arbor Day Event on Friday, April 25 with a morning tree planting event. Volunteers are asked to register and will be provided with the specific event location at its website here.

Tree Support Throughout The Year

Numerous nonprofit organizations offer support and tips on planting and caring for trees. Photo: Gabriel/Pixabay

Numerous nonprofit organizations offer support and tips on planting and caring for trees. Photo: Gabriel/Pixabay

Work with trees year-round by getting involved with the San Diego nonprofit Kate Sessions Trees. Its website provides information about the fundamentals of planting trees, environmental stewardship, and to ongoing watering and maintenance.

Throughout the year, City of San Diego residents can request a new street tree through Free Tree SD. This program allows residents and the City to work together by increasing San Diego’s tree canopy cover. Residents need to identify a space in the public right-of-way and agree to water the tree for three years. City arborists will evaluate the space and determine an appropriate tree selection.

To get started, fill out the Free Tree SD application form on the City’s website.

Tree San Diego works with all 18 incorporated cities, unincorporated areas of San Diego County, and tribal communities to support and monitor tree planting throughout the year. Urban Corps San Diego and volunteer groups also support tree planting projects throughout the year. Learn more at Tree San Diego.

Tips On Tree Health and Care

Trees provide numerous health benefits. Infographic: The Nature Conservancy Arbor Day

Trees provide numerous health benefits. Infographic: The Nature Conservancy

  • Depending on the tree type and size, water every three to six weeks.
  • The amount of water your tree needs depends. A general rule of thumb is to use approximately 10 gallons of water per inch of trunk diameter for each watering.
  • Focus on deep, infrequent watering, rather than frequent shallow watering. Aim to saturate the soil around the root zone to encourage deep root growth.
  • Young trees, even drought-tolerant ones, need routine watering. Most mature drought-tolerant trees can survive on rainwater plus infrequent, deep watering.
  • If rainfall is scarce, be sure to hydrate the trees with irrigation water.
  • Young trees are particularly susceptible to competition from turf grass. Remove grass from the trunk out to a foot beyond the drip line (the outer canopy of the leaves).

To help residents and businesses choose trees that will thrive in our climate and conditions, check out the San Diego County Water Authority’s recently updated “Nifty 50” and “Happy 100” plant lists. Learn more about the lists in this recent Water News Network article.

The Western Redbud tree (Cercis Occidentalis) is a favorite choice from the Nifty 50 plant list. Photo: Pixabay/Creative Commons

The Western Redbud tree (Cercis Occidentalis) is a favorite choice from the Nifty 50 plant list. Photo: Pixabay/Creative Commons

To learn more about trees, visit the Arbor Day Foundation.

San Diego forestry and landscaping professionals work with the San Diego County Water Authority and its 22 member agencies to help protect our region’s trees.

The Water Authority created updated Nifty 50 and Happy 100 plant lists to help homeowners and builders select plants for their projects. Photo: Water Authority plant list

New Plant Lists Help Homeowners Create A Beautiful, Sustainable Garden

/in , /by

Deciding to undertake a landscape makeover involves many choices. Choosing your new landscape plants is one of your most enjoyable tasks. But walking into your local nursery can present so many choices that it’s overwhelming. What plants work best in the San Diego climate regions, and which ones use water efficiently?

San Diego County Water Authority Senior Water Resources Specialist Debby Dunn created two convenient plant lists homeowners can use to help them choose plants that will thrive and look beautiful in your new landscape with minimal irrigation.

Nifty 50 Plant List Gets A Makeover

The Nifty 50 is all new with update plant choices and helpful information. Photo: Water Authority plant list

The Nifty 50 is all new with update plant choices and helpful information. Photo: Water Authority

The Nifty 50 Plant list has helped San Diegans pick good plants for our climate for many years. It was recently updated with new choices. “Not only do the style of plants change over time, like many things do, but some plants become less hearty due to pests and disease,” said Dunn.

“Feedback from local nurseries and state mandates regarding non-functional turf led Water Authority staff to update the list. We focused on low- and very low-water plants. Half of the plants on the new list are native, and 98%  invite pollinators.”

The Nifty 50 list offers care tips and a checklist to help you make the right choices for your project. Photo: Water Authority

The Nifty 50 list offers care tips and a checklist to help you make the right choices for your project. Photo: Water Authority

The Nifty 50 list includes a 10-step checklist for plant selection and care tips to help your new plants thrive.

Happy 100 Plant List Addresses Commercial Designs

Superb Grevillea is featured on the Happy 100 list. It's a great choice for year-round, eye-catching flowers with lush, evergreen foliage. It grows quickly in well-draining soils. Good for cut flowers, and attracts birds, bees and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority plant list

Superb Grevillea is featured on the Happy 100 list. It’s a great choice for year-round, eye-catching flowers with lush, evergreen foliage. It grows quickly in well-draining soils. Good for cut flowers, and attracts birds, bees and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority

The State of California has new regulations banning commercial turf grass in areas where it is ornamental or “nonfunctional.” To help commercial landscapers adhere to the new guidelines, Dunn and the Water Authority staff created a new, more comprehensive plant list called the Happy 100 Plant List.

The list actually contains 103 low and very low-water using plants, with specific information about  each plant.  These plant choices are well suited to landscapes for homeowner association common areas, public parks, and commercial buildings.

Bonus List For Black Thumbs: The Sturdy 30

Beautiful Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a "Sturdy 30" list choice. The evergreen shrub has soft green/gray to silvery fragrant foliage with spring flowers. Its flowers and seeds attract birds, bees,butterflies, and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority

Beautiful Cleveland Sage (Salvia clevelandii) is a “Sturdy 30” list choice. The evergreen shrub has soft green/gray to silvery fragrant foliage with spring flowers. Its flowers and seeds attract birds, bees,
butterflies, and hummingbirds. Photo: Water Authority

To help gardeners who need easygoing plants that will tolerate a little neglect, Dunn created a special list from the Happy 100 named the “Sturdy 30.” By sorting the online Happy 100 database, the 30 suggested plants sort into their own list.

The Happy 100 plant database can be sorted by plant common name, plant botanic name, light requirements, size at maturity, bloom color and bloom season, and which plants are native to California. Pruning and maintenance information helps homeowners care for their plants as they mature.

Prioritizing Pollinators In Your Landscaping 

Prioritizing pollinators with your plant choise such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) provides healthy habitat. Photo: Water Authority

Prioritizing pollinators with your plant choices, such as Yarrow (Achillea millefolium), provides healthy habitat. Photo: Water Authority

Numerous plants support the life cycle of butterflies, including the threatened monarch butterfly. Plant several in the garden to help the larvae and caterpillars as well as the full-grown, nectar-seeking adults. The Happy 100 notes which plant choices attract pollinators and which pollinators favor each plant choice.

Choosing pollinator-friendly plants allows checks and balances in a garden. You can attract insects and creatures, which will help maintain the health of a garden without pesticides.

“Lush, water-wise, pollinating plants in our landscapes cool and clean the air, invite and feed pollinators, enhance the beauty of our homes and businesses, and lift our spirits. Consider adding a few (dozen) to your landscape today,” recommended Dunn.

Dunn has worked with thousands of people seeking gardening advice and realized they need detailed plant lists to help create water-wise, year-round blooming gardens that would fit their visual preferences and maintenance needs. Dunn sought input from dozens of local landscape professionals in the nursery and design field, ultimately making a list that anyone can use and enjoy the results.

The Nifty 50 Plant List

The Happy 100 Plant List 

 

New California Law Updates Water Restrictions For Businesses. What Does It Mean For You?

/in , , /by /The Sacramento Beeby Jacqueline Pinedo

Restaurants, stores and other property owners will be banned from using drinking water to irrigate their lawns under a new California law. Assembly Bill 1572 requires business owners, public agencies and other entities to phase out the use of potable water to irrigate nonfunctional and decorative turf starting in 2027.

Full Story

‘The American Lawn Feels Irresponsible’: the LA Homes Ditching Grass for Drought-Friendly Gardens

/in , , /by /The Guardianby Lois Beckett

A lush green lawn has long been a symbol of the perfect American home. But as a prolonged drought reshapes life in California, many residents are rethinking what a beautiful yard should look like.

In Los Angeles, which imposed sweeping restrictions on outdoor water use this year, thirsty lawns are out – and California native plants are in.

Full Story

15-Day Watering Ban Begins for Parts of L.A. County

/in , /by /Los Angeles Timesby Summer Lin

A 15-day outdoor watering ban took effect for 4 million Los Angeles County residents on Tuesday as crews make emergency repairs to a pipeline that delivers water to Southern Californians, according to the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

Full Story
Take time to learn about your possibleWaterSmart Living irrigation choices. Photo: San Diego County Water Authority

Installing WaterSmart Living Irrigation

/in , /by

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 this done first. With all of this important prep work complete, you can start to implement the design.

Five key steps to success

Be sure your irrigation plan considers hills and slopes to prevent waste and erosion. Photo: Pixabay

Step 1: Read the instructions from the manufacturer and familiarize yourself with all the parts of your new irrigation system. Often the manufacturer will provide YouTube video demonstrations which can be extremely helpful.

Step 2: Starting from the main connection to the water line, dig trenches for all the pipes according to your irrigation plan. Ideally, the main connection to the water line will be downstream of the water meter and upstream of the connection to the house.

If you tie into a rear yard hose bib, be aware that the water pressure will be lower because the water for your house is regulated by a separate pressure regulator.

Step 3: Lay an extra pipe sleeve or two under any new hardscape elements. This allows you to add pipes or wires in the future. Be sure to cover the ends of the pipe with duct tape before covering and mark the location on your landscape plan.

Step 4: If you are using drip irrigation, you may want to hold off installing your drip emitters until after planting is complete. With your new plants in the ground, you can place the emitters precisely where the water best irrigates your new plants. Be sure to place them at least six inches away from the plant’s stem to prevent rot.

Step 5: Consult your local irrigation supply store or the major irrigation manufacturers if you need more detailed installation guides or help with troubleshooting. Manufacturers offer toll-free customer service phone help, online chats, and email.

_____________________________________________________

WaterSmart Living-Logo-San Diego County Water Authority

(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.)

Best Options For Turf Removal

/in , , /by /Water News Network

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.

Full Story

Gray Water’s Untapped Potential is Clouded by Complexity

/in , /by /KJZZby Nicholas Gerbis

The past three decades have brought mounting evidence of climate change, a tenacious drought in Arizona and appliances offering unheard-of water efficiency.

“The residential water use per capita has been declining for the last 30 years or so. And indoor water use has especially been going down,” said Sarah Porter, director of Arizona State University’s Kyl Center for Water Policy.

Full Story

Burbank Places Restrictions On Landscape Water Use as Drought Worsens

/in , /by /Spectrum News 1by Aziza Shuler

In the seven years Simon Hammel has lived in his Burbank home, he says he’s replaced at least 60% of the grass that used to be there.

It’s now primarily mulch, drought-tolerant plants and fruit and veggie trees. Hammel is trying his best to do as much as he can to conserve water and live eco-friendly.

Full Story
Olivenhain Municipal Water District Logo landscape design workshops

OMWD to Host Free Native Plant Virtual Workshop on October 14

/in , /by

Encinitas, Calif. — Olivenhain Municipal Water District invites the public to attend a free virtual workshop on landscaping with native plants on October 14, from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. The workshop is designed for individuals who are interested in incorporating native plants in their gardens to increase water efficiency and support local ecology.

Download File