Evergreen Landscaping© · To find out which are best for your area and property, ask your professional landscaper. 1. Drought tolerant landscaping Drought tolerant landscaping is

Evergreen Landscaping© 805-773-5395 www.EvergreenLandscapingCA.com


Five Great Landscaping Ideas During the California Drought

The California drought has put an emphasis on water as a commodity. It has turned the word "lawn" into something dirty. Landscaping, however, is about creating beautiful outdoor visuals that both serve a purpose and are not an ongoing money sink.

What we do is create beautiful landscaping for homeowners that add value to their property, create beautiful scenery, and offer economical upkeep. Is the standard lawn needed anymore? Not, necessarily, but it remains a viable option. In this eBook, we discuss five ideas that help homeowners develop beautiful outdoor landscaping that are affordable, maintainable, and green.

To Lawn or Not to Lawn

The question about whether to keep the lawn or not is more about where one stands on environmental issues, such as water usage and cost. Some homeowners will keep their lawn regardless of the price of upkeep, and there is nothing wrong with that.

We, however, have a few tricks for people who love lawns, but who may also want to economize and improve the environmental impact of their lawn and landscaping. Those tricks help reduce the wasteful tendencies of lawns and in so doing help property owners save money on the monthly upkeep of a lawn.

For those people who want to take the "greener" route, there are viable options for taking out a lawn. Replacing a lawn with something, such as hardscape, can improve the usage for that area and provide a beautiful space that, has a lower monthly cost, and that also decreases water usage is a move more homeowners demand.

Whichever path you take, these five ideas help to manage outdoor landscaping during California's ongoing drought.

A few Considerations Before We Begin


There are millions of different types of plants and trees from which you can choose for landscaping projects. The real question here is what will grow where you live. One of the tools that gardeners use to figure out which plants grow the best in which environments is the Plant

Hardiness Zone Map put out by the United States Department of Agriculture.

For properties located in the Plant Hardiness Zones in San Luis Obispo County:

10A, 10B, (Pismo Beach area) Zones 9A and 9B (Micro climates with winter lows from 20°F-30°F) Zones 11A and 11B (Slightly inland from Pismo Beach where micro climates with winter lows from 40°F-45°F)

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/

http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/


A very viable option for anyone wanting to change landscaping is to include the planting of native plants. The California Native Plant Society shares a wide variety of options. To find out which are best for your area and property, ask your professional landscaper.

1. Drought tolerant landscaping

Drought tolerant landscaping is a large topic. There are three considerations for you to think about—

1) Do you keep your lawn?

2) Do you get rid of the lawn?

3) Do you downsize your lawn?

Drought tolerant landscaping is usually a lawn-free environment. Lawns require a lot of water, which is usually counter-productive to most drought tolerant philosophies. Does that mean the lawn needs to go? No, and here’s why.

http://calscape.cnps.org/loc-san%20luis%20obispo,%20California/


Keep Your Lawn or Rip it out

There are ways to keep your lawn and reduce water consumption. There are also ways to keep the "look" of your lawn and get rid of it too. How do you feel about artificial turf? Can you replace part of your lawn and put in a putting green? The quality of artificial turf these days is quite amazing.

In fact, you do not need to put in a putting green to enjoy the beauty and practicality of a faux lawn. If you want to maintain a small patch of grass next to the artificial turf - go for it. It will require far less water and maintenance. This one suggestion about downgrading your lawn is very doable. There are other tricks that help you keep a larger lawn from being a water hog. We will get to those a little later.


The Benefits of Xeriscape

For those homeowners who are willing to give up their lawns, the options for drought tolerant landscaping can be overwhelming. One of those ideas includes Xeriscape landscaping. This is one of the best philosophies available when it comes to drought tolerant landscaping.

Xeriscape is the use of draught tolerant plants combined with the philosophies of landscaping and may also include the principles of hardscape-landscaping too. The takeaway here is that this is about your yard, so the outcome is unique. That uniqueness adds value to both the aesthetics of your outdoor living space and the value of your home. Plus, Xeriscape is one of the greenest approaches to dealing with landscaping. Most require no pest control, and many provide outstanding native habitats for bees.

What can you expect from a Xeriscape yard? The biggest impact that homeowners notice is the immediate decrease in yard work. A good Xeriscape requires very little maintenance. That helps to lower the amount of money that homeowners spend on yard maintenance each month.

Because Xeriscaped yards require less water than a lawn, there is an additional increase in saving money. As a Xeriscape yard matures, it adds value to the property. If you use native plants, then you enjoy even more benefits. Those benefits include a reduction in pesticides, and an increase in positive environmental gains such improved native habitats, cleaner water runoff (from rain) and a more sustainable yard.


2. Updating Your Irrigation System

Updating your irrigation systems is something everyone homeowner should think about on a five to seven year cycle. Technology changes and some of the newer tech is super smart. There are so many options available to help reduce water usage and still maintain the highest level of plant health. Updating your irrigation system becomes one easy way to save money in the long-term.

What is a Smart Controller?

A good place to start is by considering smart controllers. A controller is the brains of your entire irrigation system. For many homeowners that simply means the knob that turns the lawn sprinklers on and off.

However, irrigation for homes has changed greatly. There are other types of irrigation that homeowners can use including drip irrigation systems. What that means in terms of smart controllers is the ability to handle different types of irrigation systems and also to be adaptable to other types of technology.

Smart systems, like your smartphone or device, have wireless capability that allows you to make adjustments right from your device which is a perk. That allows you to adjust the system from wherever you might be. It also allows your landscaper to make adjustments remotely.

Special Technology that Works to Save You Money

There are a lot of plus options available for smart controllers. Added options include tech-rich features like moisture sensors that sense the moisture level in the soil and then water only when the soil moisture saturation reaches a specific level of dryness. These little things help you save water by eliminating overwatering, especially in landscaping where the water and soil moisture levels are not even. Add into this the different needs of plants to have different watering needs and you begin to see that a simple soil moisture sensor goes a long way in helping to conserve water.

While we are this topic, water levels and soil moisture levels also play a huge role in reducing certain types of lawn pests. This is one of the reasons that Xeriscape landscaping is "green." If you are a homeowner and want to keep your lawn, then looking closely at irrigation management makes a lot of sense.

The Roll of Sprinklers

Beyond smart controllers are water-efficient sprinklers. These are specialized sprinkler heads that efficiently water a lawn without wasting water. They can work in conjunction with soil moisture monitors and smart controllers. How they work is only part of the fix on which homeowners need to focus.


Good conservation begins with excellent installation. If your sprinklers are not installed correctly so the over-spray is correct, then even the best technology is not going to help you create the most beautiful lawn with the least amount of water usage.

The focus on irrigation is about efficiency and correct installation. Talk with an expert to figure out how to use the latest tech. It is also important to focus on the uniqueness of your yard and landscaping. In drought conditions, blanket fixes can help, but the biggest gains come from those applications that specifically address the uniqueness of your yard and landscaping. In short, installing a smart controller is a step in the right direction.

3. Rebate programs Take the Bite out of Going Green

California is taking the drought seriously. Those concerns are showing up in San Luis Obispo County in the form of new regulations and rebate programs from both local and state agencies. The programs change as the drought continues, but they focus on providing incentives for converting irrigation systems and changing your landscape to drought tolerant plants. These programs are addressing both the present concerns of the drought and the future concerns of managing water in such a diverse county and state.

At the forefront of drought conservation is the need to manage the future of California and San Luis Obispo's water needs. The current rebate programs help to fund the removal of lawns and offer a $2 per square foot rebate/incentive for lawn removal.

It is important to understand that these programs are limited in funding and capped at a maximum per household. Also, because these programs change from one year to the next, homeowners should feel free to call Evergreen Landscaping at (805) 773-5395, to discuss the availability of rebate programs throughout San Luis Obispo County.

4. Drought resistant plants

A drought resistant plant is usually a native plant that has evolved to deal with the California climate pattern. California has a few different climates and many microclimates. The Mediterranean climate is cool winters and hot summers with most of the rainfall dropping from October through April. That means May-September are the driest months of the year. There is also a maritime climate that is cool summers and wet winters.

San Luis Obispo County is a combination of those climates. Due to this combination climate, it’s in property owners’ best interests to look carefully at how their landscaping needs are unique before opting for a landscaping fix. You need to keep in mind not all plants grow well in all climates.

http://www.evergreenlandscapingca.com/irrigation-devices/sprinkler-system/

http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/admin/Drought_Update.htm


How Climate and Drought Resistant Plants Work Together

Drought resistant plants cannot survive without water. These are plants that are normally used to a long dry spell, hence the description of what climate is here in California. That long stretch from May through September is what defines what a drought resistant plant is. It is also important to understand that with less water, these plants grow slower and bloom less.

If you have ever been to one of the many deserts, here in California, about three days after a rain, you see this explosion of color that lasts for about a week and then disappears. That is an example of how adaptive plants are to their environment and why the consideration of native plants is important to drought designed landscapes.

Native plants offer a natural acclimation to drought conditions within their native zones. Does that mean you cannot add in other types of plants from other regions? No, just make sure you are addressing the plants needs and comparing it to the unique conditions of your yard.

Considerations for How to Improve the Look of Your Yard

Let's talk a little bit about plant selection and some considerations for creating a beautiful drought-resistant landscape. We've discussed how important it is to pair the plant with the yard


and the landscape conditions. Now think about color. A well-planned Xeriscape is colorful all year round.

When developing a list of potential plants, think about:

When things bloom

Whether or not they lose their leaves

What they look like in their deciduous form

Option for annuals, perennials or both

There is a lot to consider when it comes to developing a list of potential plants for a drought resistant landscape.

Consider plant type too. There are grasses, annuals, perennials, shrubs, trees, and vines. Hopefully, this is not overwhelming you. The idea is to give you the forethought that there are a tremendous amount of opportunities when it comes to removing a lawn and putting in a beautiful drought-resistant landscape.

Beyond plant type is another consideration. That is outdoor living spaces. How you combine the hardscape with the landscape to create places that are special. A good example of this is a nice flagstone paved area with a pergola and beautiful vine or hedge that come together to create a comfortable place to sit, nap, visit or read.

That is another aspect of how the California drought can improve your yard. For more information about how to combine hardscape and landscape ask the experts at Evergreen Landscaping.


5. Artificial Turf - a Green Solution for Giving up the Lawn

When we think about artificial turf, that indoor-outdoor carpet of the past comes to mind. Artificial turf has come a long ways, and the quality is somewhat amazing. Many sporting events use highly sophisticated fields constructed of artificial turf.

Synthetic turf is an outstanding way to keep the rolling green lawn look without the ongoing

expense of water and maintenance. In this drought-stricken state, California is willing to help pay for the removal of your lawn, the San Luis Obispo county government drought page. So part of the expense of installing a synthetic turf lawn can be a big incentive for adding a faux lawn to your yard.

What has changed with artificial lawns?

The biggest change is in durability. An artificial lawn can stand up to incoming solar radiation and still maintain its lush green color. If installed correctly, artificial lawns can handle a lot of rainfall without damage. Another big change is the demand for faux lawns has increased. Many of us are familiar with the putting green, but there are artificial turf lawns that offer designs that are friendly for pets, kids, and other social activities.

http://www.evergreenlandscapingca.com/synthetic-turf/

http://www.slocounty.ca.gov/admin/Drought_Update.htm

http://www.cmmap.org/learn/climate/incomingRad.html


The upkeep of an artificial turf lawn is fairly simple. They need to be rinsed off from time to time to remove things like pollen that can cause the blades to stick together. They also need to be manicured to remove things like dead leaves. Otherwise, monthly maintenance is very low. There is a need to maintain the under-support system for an artificial lawn, but that is on a 2-3 year basis. A good professional cleaning with a power-broom is also needed every few years or even yearly.

The biggest benefit of installing an artificial lawn is the huge drop in water usage. The decrease in maintenance costs and the fact that you still have a sweeping green area are also very beneficial to homeowners.

Other benefits for artificial lawns are that they are malleable and they take out the consideration of sun and shade traditional lawn would have. There are no more lawn pests, dead spots, or broken sprinklers. A really good perk is that artificial lawns are not heat sinks. When it comes to addressing drought tolerant landscaping, there is a viable place for artificial lawns.

Landscape Design

The bottom line is the California drought has opened up a lot of opportunities for homeowners to focus better on water conservation and ongoing landscaping costs. It has also somewhat shattered the idea that a lawn is a necessity. In terms of landscape design, there are many opportunities available to homeowners.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat_sink


Consider the following options:

Adding a high-end outdoor living space that turns your yard into a place where you can relax and enjoy your downtime more.

Removing your lawn and finding a better use for that space.

Adding to the color palate of your yard..

Improving the efficiency of how you care for a lawn. Adaptive, smart technology can help you save money and water.

All of those options expand the list of what homeowners can do to improve their yard, save money, enjoy a beautiful landscape, and still add value to their home. The real estate market incorporates drought tolerant landscaping into the value added options of homes. This is not a new idea, but it is an idea that is selling more than it did in the past.

Evergreen Landscaping offers landscape and hardscape design services that include Xeriscape

options. If you’re considering artificial turf, we’ve got you covered there as well. We can work

with you to develop ideas about expanding your outdoor living space so that your yard becomes

a place where you enjoy life. We can help you determine what kind of tech can improve your

irrigation or what to do with that huge lawn. There are many options available to you.

If you would like more information about the options available for your property, schedule a free

consultation today. Call Evergreen Landscaping at 805-773-5395. We offer a professional, expert

view of how to address the unique characteristics of your property by utilizing the resources

available to you. Let's develop a plan that addresses the drought and offers you an amazing

landscape.

Evergreen Landscaping is a licensed, full service landscaping company serving the San Luis Obispo County.

Evergreen Landscaping, beautifying the central coast, one property at a time. Let your property

be next.

http://www.evergreenlandscapingca.com/


Documents

Evergreen Landscaping© · To find out which are best for your area and property, ask your professional landscaper. 1. Drought tolerant landscaping Drought tolerant landscaping is