Water-Wise Tips

Water Trees First

Our trees are the most important garden asset. They provide shade, clean the air, provide habitat for wildlife, they are beautiful and increase your property value.

A new way of irrigating trees have been developed by the University of California. As you see in the picture you will circle the tree with a drip line or soaker hose to the edge of the canopy. You can purchase supplies at your local garden center or hardware store.

To get the deep watering need for trees, you will need to run the drip line for several hours but only irrigate every 2-4 weeks. The water needs to penetrate the soil about 2-3 feed deep.

For more information from the California Center for Urban Horticulture, click here.

Create drought resistant soil

By incorporating 2-4 inches of compost into the soil you will increase the water holding capacity of the soil.
Topdressing compost around plants will reduce water needs but not up to the plant base. Space @ the base.
Mulch all exposed soil to reduce evaporation with bark, leaf litter or rocks

Benefit:

Reduced water usage

Grow California or Mediterranean natives

Check out the UC Arboretum All-Stars

Plants thrive with little irrigation
Planting in the fall allows the roots to grow without competition
Irrigate until established
Minimize high water use ornamentals

Benefit:

Reduce watering
Reduce trimming
Reduce fertilizing
Reduce spraying

Minimize the Lawn

The use of native groundcovers, grasses, shrubs and trees make an eye catching garden
Reduce the size of the lawn and plant Tall fescue. It is a cool season grass that does well in summer. Most cool season grasses need a lot of water to look good
Avoid slopes, plant a ground cover instead of lawn

Benefit:

Conserve water
Conserve energy
Conserve labor

Hydrozoning

By grouping plants together by water and light needs plants tend to be healthy
When you group your plants together by water and light needs then you can properly water each micro-climate
Use California natives

Benefit:

Healthy plants
Conserve water
Less pruning

Irrigation System

Remember to change your irrigation timer seasonally. Monthly adjustments are encouraged
Use an automatic controller on your irrigation system
Use drip for your flower and shrub beds
Replace old sprinkler heads with high efficient ones. If your system is over 10 years old check out the new sprinkler heads at your local garden center
Use multiple run times if you have a lot of run-off before the timer shuts off. For example; you should irrigate every other day for 20 minutes but after 15 minutes the water is running off the lawn. Instead run the system for 10 minutes, wait 1 hour and run for another 10 minutes. This works especially well on slopes.

Benefit:

Limit evaporation and run-off
Limit disease
Limit weeds

Irrigate according to the season

Know your watering needs
Adjust watering to the season, use chart in Lawn Watering brochure
Water early
Water slowly
Water deeply

Benefit:

Appropriate watering slows plant growth
Promotes plant health
Reduces pruning and mowing
It is estimated that overwatering causes 85% of all landscape problems

Make every Drop Count

Water wisely and slowly.
Mulch is one of the quickest, easiest and most cost-effective ways to save water
Repair leaks and broken sprinklers
Reduce overspray areas
Adjust the system frequently to the season
Mulching exposed soil reduces evaporation.
Prevent urban drool

Benefit: