Save Money. Save Time. Save Water.
February 2006

By: Betty H. Olson, Ph.D.
Board Member, Santa Margarita Water District Board of Directors

Have you ever been jealous of your neighbor’s lawn, thinking that the grass is literally greener on the other side? The understandable appeal of a lush, water-hungry landscape may have tempted you in the past, but the benefits of converting your lawn or garden to a more water-efficient, California-friendly landscape may be more enticing than you realized.

It’s not that a green lawn isn’t beautiful. The truth is that Southern California has a limited water supply, making conservation of this critical resource an ongoing priority. Realizing that more than 50 percent of water is used outdoors, it is no wonder that our conservation efforts can no longer be limited to indoor strategies like low-flush toilets and shorter showers. Water-efficient plants and native landscapes can significantly decrease the amount of time and money needed to maintain a well manicured landscape, while reducing outdoor water consumption.

With this in mind, and springtime just around the corner, the Santa Margarita Water District encourages residents to make California-friendly landscape choices when planting their flowers, shrubs and trees in the coming months. Native, drought-resistant plants often require far less water than non-native plants and some can even survive on natural precipitation alone.

California-friendly species offer a wide variety of color combinations and styles that can add a whole new dimension to a yard. Gardeners can choose from over 1,200 plants and flowers that include all colors of the rainbow ranging from natural greens and browns to gorgeous purples and yellows. Whatever your ultimate selection, California-friendly flora is sure to beautify any landscape.

This year, to promote water-conscious landscaping, SMWD’s monthly On Tap publication will regularly feature a California-friendly plant, complete with planting and caretaking tips, to encourage all customers to join with the District in conserving water, saving money and building beautiful gardens. In addition, On Tap provides customers with a helpful watering calendar, listing irrigation guidelines for various plants and soils using precipitation rates for above-ground sprinklers.

In March, April, and May, District customers will have the opportunity to attend an SMWD Home Gardeners Water Conservation Mini Workshop to learn more about California-friendly landscapes. The four-hour classes will teach valuable information about basic landscape design, plant selection, sprinkler operation, and proper watering and fertilizing methods.

Please come and view our 34 California-friendly plants in SMWD’s own Conservation Garden, located at the District’s headquarters on 26111 Antonio Parkway in Las Flores. Last year, five areas of artificial turf were also added to the garden, saving approximately 30,000 gallons of water per year and giving District customers the opportunity to view new possibilities for a water-wise landscape. The range of artificial turf available has markedly improved visually and in texture over the past several years and it is becoming the material of choice for athletic fields at all grade levels. The garden is open to the public free of charge and can be viewed Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.

At SMWD, we want to provide our customers with simple and enjoyable ways to conserve water. Landscaping your home’s lawn or garden with California-friendly plants will lower your water bill and reduce required maintenance, all without sacrificing beauty. Most importantly, decreasing outdoor watering is an easy and effective way to conserve our limited water supply.

For more tips on how to begin planting your water-wise garden, visit the www.bewaterwise.com catalog section for a complete list and pictures of California-friendly plant species, watering and fertilizing techniques, and more.

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