Article 17

Water-Wise Landscaping:

A Backyard Revolution Part I

By Dawn Brookshire, Home, Garden & Design Editor

Photography by Dan Clement

For more of Dan’s photos visit his website www.clearfocusphotography.com

“What does water conservation have to do with me?” I thought, as we discussed this issue’s theme. Though I understood it was a generally good and environmentally friendly thing to do, there wasn’t a strong enough “why” or reason to take action. Until, that is, I learned that 100% of San Marcos’ water is imported, and that due to increasingly dry conditions (annually, less than 10 inches per year), coupled with potential legal and regulatory constraints on the State Water Project (which provides 40 percent of San Diego County’s water), my monthly water bill could very soon equal that of the fuel bill for my extended-cab Ford F150 pickup. Let me tell you – not pretty.

If it came to that, a decision would have to be made: water the thirsty succulents that have overtaken my backyard, or downsize to a Prius. Tough choice, but the backyard would have to run dry. Or so I thought before meeting Mike Sharp, of Coast Landscape, Inc. in San Marcos.

Sharp is at the forefront of a burgeoning trend in landscaping: the drought-tolerant or water-efficient yard, also referred to as xeriscaping (which nowadays, you’ll be glad to know, doesn’t mean sacrificing your plants for a rock garden). The concept is this: Adopt a water conscious philosophy and not only do you save money up front by minimizing the amount of water you use (and then pay for), but you help maintain San Diego’s supply, which, according to the good old law of supply and demand, means you won’t have to choose between watering your plants and fueling your F150 – I mean, car.

But really, the benefits of this approach don’t end there. In addition to reducing you’re water bill each month, you can save money on upkeep and maintenance as well. How much of your annual budget goes to paying a gardener? (Yes, look at the year, not the month, it’s much more painful!) It adds up fast, doesn’t it? And if you don’t happen to utilize a gardening service how many hours do you lose by having to do it yourself? We all work hard, and none but the “green thumb” (whose hobby and joy is working out in the yard – more power to you), wants to mow, weed and sweat their precious weekend hours away. By utilizing a water-wise landscape, you keep your money in your pocket and gain back time to watch the game. Not a bad deal.

So in the interest of trying to help simplify your life and ensure you keep those hard earned dollars, we at the magazine asked if we could shadow Sharp as he transforms a high-water-use San Marcos backyard (read: wasteful, costly and high-maintenance, as mentioned above) into one that utilizes California-native plants and highly effective, water-efficient technologies and materials. Our plan: to give you a before and after – a look into what this sort of project might entail, and how you could undertake a project like this, too.

First off, know this: Turning your yard into a water conscious place doesn’t have to require a complete or complicated overhaul. Armed with knowledge and a few simple steps you can incorporate and utilize portions of the landscape you already have with water efficient plants and materials, which is exactly the approach Sharp at Coast Landscape intends to use.

For example, rather than tearing out the existing hardscape and mature growth (which has deep root systems that require minimal water) along the perimeter of the yard, he’s going to leave it in and plant California-natives around it.

And contrary to what you might believe, California-natives aren’t the stereotypical cactus. No, think more along the lines of rosemary, lavender and sage, which are much more lush and aromatic. Plus, they have practical use, too. Ever used a little fresh rosemary in homemade Italian marinara? But I digress...

For more on the most hardy types of plants that can handle our SoCal semi-arid climate, check out the “Nifty Fifty,” which, according to the San Diego County Water Authority, “are plants that have been selected because they are attractive, often available in retail nurseries, non-invasive, and of course, drought tolerant.” For a comprehensive list of these plants, you can visit the Vallecitos Water District at www.vwd.org, or call (760) 744-0460.

In addition to adding the California natives, Sharp also plans to replace the existing grass with artificial turf. With the new technologies they’re using in artificial surfaces today, you can hardly tell the difference. And though the initial investment costs more than sod, over the long term (it has a 20- to 25-year life expectancy) it requires significantly less maintenance and water (which equals big savings). For an expense/savings calculator, or more on the process of installation (there are many different layers of materials laid down – such as graded silica sand and ground rubber beneath the hybrid grass fiber), you can visit EasyTurfTM at www.easyturf.com.

By utilizing just California-native plants and artificial turf, Sharp has gone a long way towards minimizing the water his clients will need to use. However, the need for water can’t be eliminated entirely (unless you’re a fan of rock gardens, minus the garden). Enter: water efficient irrigation systems and control technologies.

Many recent innovations in irrigation technology enable slow, steady and specific water application. Look for words such as “low gallonage” or “low application rate” and consider trickle and drip irrigation systems, which help reduce water use and meet the needs of plants. With these methods, very small amounts of water are supplied to the base of the plants. Since the water is applied directly to the soil, rather than onto the plant, evaporation from leaf surfaces is reduced. The water is also placed where it will do the most good, rather than sprayed over the entire garden.

Once you’ve got your irrigation system in place, it’s time to control it. According to Sharp, and in concordance with the San Diego County Water Authority, “‘Smart’ or weather-based irrigation controllers can be an effective technology for reducing water usage outdoors. Unlike standard automatic timers that turn on the sprinklers at set intervals, a ‘smart’ controller uses weather data and site information such as plant type and sprinkler system output to adjust watering times and frequency.”

One of the great things about these systems is that they can be purchased to work on their own, or can be used in conjunction with your current system. According to Sharp, “This is one of the smartest things we’re doing on this project and it doesn’t cost a whole lot of money.” Many brands carry “smart boxes,” and there are different kinds within each brand. Two good sources are Hunter Industries® (www.hunterindustries.com) and Rain Bird® (www.rainbird.com).

If you don’t happen to be interested in purchasing one of these systems, there are still ways to irrigate your plants more efficiently. The San Diego County Water Authority can help you determine how much water your plants may need with its online “Landscape Watering Calculator” at http://apps.sandiego.gov/landcalc/, which takes into account such factors as your zip code, watering system, soil type, and flora to estimate a weekly schedule for the maximum amount of water your plants may need each month of the year. With this information, you can know how to best program the irrigation controller you currently have.

If all the aforementioned ideas have you feeling overwhelmed, the San Diego water authorities are here to help, offering various services and incentives for trying some of these new technologies out. Here are just a few of the current “Smart Landscape Programs:”

• Residential surveys: Residential surveys are available to single family customers looking for help in reducing outdoor water use. Surveys are designed to identify potential leaks, recommend water conserving devices, assess irrigation efficiency, and determine the proper landscape watering schedule. (Contact the Vallecitos Water District at (760) 744-0460 for more.)

• Smart Controllers for Single-Family Homeowners (Pilot Program) (http://www.sdcwa.org): There’s a potential $350 rebate for installing the “smart” or weather-based irrigation controllers mentioned above. (Professional installation is required for this program. Contact the San Diego Water Authority for more.) (Side note: these units are individually owned and operated, and in no way are controlled by the water authorities.)

• Water Savings Performance Program (Residential Sites Over One Acre): The Metropolitan Water District provides $195 per acre foot of water saved to sites within San Diego County. (Incentive is based on the potential for savings over five years.) The incentive can be used to pay all project costs including labor, hardware and up to one year of water management fees. To apply, sites should contact: Deneice Cotton at (213) 217-6616, or dcotton@mwdh2o.com.

• Artificial Turf: Select agencies are offering incentives to single-family homeowners for the replacement of existing natural grass with artificial turf. For more information contact your water agency.

And if you’re still not convinced a water conscious landscape is for you, well, wait till next issue when we reveal “Water-Wise Landscaping: A backyard revolution, Part II.” You’ll see Coast Landscape’s finished water-conservative yard, and how you too can have a lush outdoor entertaining space, without having to sacrifice the fuel for your car. SMM

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