Standardizing Essential Sustainability Metrics in 2026

"People don't recognize that mainstream plants such as camellias and boxwood, for instance, can go months without water," said gardener Tom Ash of WeatherTRAK, a company that developed weather-based sprinkler timers that water just when they sense your plants need it. "Homeowners typically overwater their landscapes by half," he said.

A California-friendly landscape is about the plants. And it is also about the plant keeper: the house owner who chooses when and how much to water and takes an active function in where the water goes.

If you believe yuccas are yucky, dig a little much deeper into your gardening books to discover plants that rely on a lot less water than perhaps you believed. Daffodils do not need a drop of water in the summer, if you get my drift.

Turf is the biggest water guzzler in the landscape, requiring 70 percent of the landscape water we utilize. On the other hand, it is likewise reliable at managing disintegration and reducing runoff on slopes. Utilize it just where it will belong to the option. Water less. The No. 1 reason that plants fail is overwatering, a reality that most house owners persist to yield.

Major Benefits for Integrating California-Friendly Flora Species

You may be amazed at how much your plants can live without. Don't waste water. Ash states that of the 70,000 gallons we use on landscapes a year, 50 percent is lost in runoff, watering leakages and overwatering. Control runoff. According to the Surfrider Structure and Orange County Coastkeeper, letting water struck the curb for any factor is bad.

3 inches of mulch go a long method towards retaining the water we do utilize. If you believe you are already proficient at saving water in your landscape, you can check your nerve to discover out.

Pacific Green Landscape Maintenance

All gardens will be evaluated by the public first ("American Idol"-design), who can view and vote online at from June 1 to July 1. Finalists will then be picked by a panel of judges. Discover contest details, guidelines and application details at . 1. Find out about the plants you currently have.

Defining Key Sustainability Performance Benchmarks

Group plants according to water needs. California-friendly plants can include and are not limited to decorative yards, bulbs, shrubs, locals, succulents and most plants from Mediterranean climates worldwide. Let an innovative design, and not always the plants, take center phase.

The judges will be looking for 3 inches at least. Install a weather-based timer that senses the moisture level in your soil and the air and combines the info with understanding of your landscape to water just when your plants require it.

Be your own smart timer. Find out to read your landscape, take a look at the soil and plants and consider the environment before you flip the water switch on. 7. Control runoff. Ensure a single drop never strikes your driveway or the seamless gutter. 8. Check out permeable hardscape products such as pavers and gravel that filter water before it trickles into the watershed.

Go natural. Enough said. 10. Offer drier landscapes an excellent reputation by keeping your landscape pinched and pruned to excellence. Low water does not suggest low maintenance. Low upkeep does not mean sloppy. or 714-796-5023.

All gardens will be judged by the public very first ("American Idol"-style), who can view and vote online at from June 1 to July 1. Find out about the plants you currently have.

Modernizing Business Exterior Appeal With Sustainability

Group plants according to water requirements. 2. Expand your plant palette. California-friendly plants can consist of and are not limited to ornamental turfs, bulbs, shrubs, locals, succulents and many plants from Mediterranean environments worldwide. 3. Focus on design. Not all drought-tolerant landscapes need to be dull as dirt. Let a creative design, and not always the plants, take spotlight.

Pacific Green Landscape Maintenance

The judges will be looking for 3 inches at least. Install a weather-based timer that senses the wetness level in your soil and the air and integrates the information with understanding of your landscape to water just when your plants require it.

Discover to read your landscape, look at the soil and plants and think about the environment before you flip the water switch on. Make sure a single drop never hits your driveway or the gutter. Look into permeable hardscape products such as pavers and gravel that filter water before it trickles into the watershed.

A Guide for Renovating Existing Commercial Campuses

Go organic. Offer drier landscapes an excellent track record by keeping your landscape pinched and pruned to perfection. Low water doesn't mean low maintenance.