California's Water Conservation Program Appears to be Working!

by Pacific Vista Landscape Services

When state officials of California determined that 2013 was one of the driest years in the history of the state, the news that California was in a drought became evident. However, it was not until January of this year, that California’s Governor Jerry Brown declared a drought emergency for the state. In April, the governor put mandatory water use restrictions in place, the first of their kind, on all residents, farms and businesses. Then, Governor Brown signed an executive order mandating a 25 percent reduction of water use in California. So how is California doing? The numbers are in, and it appears that California's Water Conservation Program is working!

In June, the statewide use of water met the requirements by dropping water use by 27%. In July, the reduction of water use was even better, reaching a 31% reduction.

The water savings may have been helped by a higher than average summer rainfall. The rainfall in Los Angeles broke a record in July; a record established in 1886. The target for Los Angeles water conservation rate was 16%, but L.A. was able to meet and exceed that goal by reducing water use by 21%.

July water savings exceeded the June records by reducing use by over 31%, even in higher temperatures in the state this summer. Again, record rainfall contributed to the savings, but Californians are definitely doing their part to conserve.

Overall, most water agencies in California have met or nearly met their water conservation goals. According to the State Water Resources Control Board, this accounts for more than 70% of these agencies with only four missing their conservation targets by 15% or more.

The State Water Resources Control Board states, that at the present time, none of the water districts that are presently out of compliance have been fined yet; however, there are nine agencies that will receive a “conservation order” instructing them to take actions, including audits, to encourage users to comply with their water use standards. However, the state board has put pressure on agencies to increase enforcement. Water rates have been raised to reduce use, and recently, financial penalties are starting to be issued.

The best way for a property owner to reduce water use is two-fold. It is important to switch out grass and other water-needy plants for drought tolerant landscape which include all native plants and trees as well as many Mediterranean varieties. The other important element for saving water and money is a Smart Irrigation System that monitors the soil and only waters when needed. Combining the latest irrigation technology and drought tolerant landscape makes for a gorgeous and efficient garden!

Sources:

http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/California-Drought-Water-Conservation-Report-320013141.html

http://www.sgvtribune.com/environment-and-nature/20150730/californians-cut-water-use-by-27-percent-in-june-exceeding-governors-mandate

http://www.desertsun.com/story/news/environment/2015/08/27/california-drought-cities-cut-water-use-july/71277538/

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/california-cuts-water-use-amid-drought/

Coping With the California Drought: Ditching The Lawn!

by Pacific Vista Landscape Services

IS BROWN THE NEW GREEN?

As difficult as it is for California garden lovers to process, UC Berkley soils scientist, Steve Andrews, says yes. Due to the ongoing drought conditions and the state mandate on water use reduction, a change of thinking regarding our gardens and landscapes and how we manage them is going to be necessary. Getting rid of their lawns is now a choice being made by many Californians because this one measure will reduce water usage by 25%, which is the amount every person in California must now do. However, choosing to ditch your lawn does not mean your garden has to be brown or drab. Many drought tolerant plants and ground cover are colorful and, mixed with hardscapes, can bring new dimensions to your landscape while saving water and money!

HOW DO I GET RID OF MY LAWN?

Applying for a lawn rebate is the best place to start. You must do this before removing your lawn to qualify. "The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California has paid just over $34 million in turf removal rebates. It has given the go-ahead to an additional $120 million in turf removal applications. The agency offers a rebate of $2 per square foot, which many cities have supplemented with their own rebate programs." (source:http://www.latimes.com/local/california/la-me-lawn-rebate-explainer-20150416-story.html)

One way to get rid of your lawn is to apply a spray-on grass killer which may take a while to work and need to be used several times before they are completely effective. Make sure, if you use this method, that the product is safe for pets and is eco-friendly, as many are not. These products contain chemicals that are required by law to break down in the soil within 14 days so, depending on what you use, you might need to wait to plant new plants if you want to give them their best chance of survival.

Steve Andrews describes another method that is effective. He calls it the “lasagna method”, which is done by alternating layers of compost and cardboard or newspaper with layers of mulch. This causes the grass to die because it receives no sunlight, but another benefit of this method is that it feeds the soil underneath and prepares it for the new plants with lower water requirements. (Source:http://www.mercurynews.com/our-community-garden/ci_28014099/compost-and-mulch-will-help-lower-water-use)

Another way is to hire a professional landscaper to remove the lawn and replace it with materials and plants that use much less water.
CAN PROPER SOIL PREPARATION REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF WATER NEEDED?

Yes, the generous use of compost and mulch is very important. They will not only enrich the soil which in turn feeds the plants, but mulch and compost help to retain water, which in turn reduces the amount of watering needed for your yard.

WHAT CAN BE USED TO REPLACE OUR LAWNS?

Lawns can be replaced with a variety of plants and materials that don’t use much water. Native plants that attract birds and butterflies are a popular option. Drought tolerant herbs and ornamental shrubs are another idea. Succulents can be beautiful also as well as an occasional cactus can be used to add interest to a garden. There are also low-maintenance ground covers that look good and don’t require a lot of water. The need to water will drop even further when roots grow deep and are established. Hardscaping, using rocks, pathways, ornaments, gravel and patio areas is a great way to utilize a minimum of plants and shrubs and still have an attractive looking garden!

Let Pacific Vista Landscape Services come and assess your landscape needs! We can help guide you through the rebate process. Our professionals are experts with drought tolerant plants and smart irrigation systems, as well as creating hardscapes to transform your garden into a low-water oasis saving water AND money for years to come!

WATER RESTRICTIONS UPDATE APRIL 2015

by Pacific Vista Landscape Services

This month California’s Governor Jerry Brown issued an Executive Order to reduce potable urban water use by 25%.  The State Water Board is implementing various restrictions to help reduce the amount of water used by Californians and an estimated 1.5 million acre-feet of water plans to be saved by the end on nine months. The latest water usage restrictions include:

• Replacing 50 million square feet of lawns throughout the state with drought tolerant landscaping in partnership with local governments
• Directing the creation of a temporary, statewide consumer rebate program to replace old appliances with more water and energy efficient models
• Requiring campuses, golf courses, cemeteries and other large landscapes to make significant cuts in water use
• Prohibiting new homes and developments from irrigating with potable water unless water-efficient drip irrigation systems are used
• Ban watering of ornamental grass on public street medians

This was in addition to the previous restrictions passed in October 2014 and March 2015 prohibiting Californians from: 

• Washing down sidewalks and driveways
• Watering in a way that causes runoff
• Washing a motor vehicle without a shut-off nozzle on hose 
• Operating a fountain or water feature that doesn’t recycle water 
• No watering during rain or 48 hours after rainfall
• Restaurants only can serve water to customers who ask for it
• Hotels must give guests the choice of not having their towels and linens washed on a daily basis. 

Across Southern California one can see violations that hopefully will be addressed with the new restrictions. The VA National Cemetery in Westwood, with acres of grass, had their sprinklers on during the rain the other week which violated watering during or 48 hrs after rainfall restriction. LADWP has many offices across the city with grass landscaping and they are offering rebates for people to switch out their grass for drought tolerant landscape! Speaking of grass, If you happen to drive on San Vicente Blvd. around 2 AM, watch out for the sprinklers watering the roughly four miles of grassy median which sprays into the streets, sometimes missing the grass completely and creating huge puddles of wasted water.  Replacing grass in the medians with drought resistant landscaping would save thousands of gallons of water that wouldn’t be wasted watering the grass (or street) every night.  According to the above restrictions, the city of Los Angeles is now banned from watering medians and will hopefully update these areas

with xeriscape in the future.

There are companies who have been pro-active. Anthem Inc. has taken a huge step in the right direction at their Woodland Hills, CA campus where 12.7 acres of lawn were recently removed and replaced with drought-friendly plants. By the end of the year, Anthem Inc. will have saved 12 million gallons of water simply because they removed their lawns.  The funds that were needed to make this change possible were provided by the LADWP.  Hopefully the LADWP will follow in Anthem’s footsteps and be the next to replace lawns that surround their buildings.  

At Pacific Vista Landscape Services, we are experts switching out lawns for native plants and drought tolerant options as well as non-vegetative landscaping additions. We also have the latest smart technology irrigation systems that can save you even more money in rebates. Call us for a free irrigation evaluation and let us help you save water and money AND have a beautifully landscaped garden!

Xeriscaping: The Future of Landscaping

Smart Irrigation: Save Water & Money

A Greener Landscape: Re-Landscape with Lawn Rebates in Southern California

March 2015 Water Restrictions

October 2014 Water Restrictions

THE LATEST WATER RESTRICTIONS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

by Pacific Vista Landscape Services

As California’s water reservoirs continue to shrink, the need to conserve water is growing. According to recent reports, California roughly has about a year of water left. Time is of the essence, and taking action is necessary. People can do their part to conserve water by following the new restrictions passed by the California State Water Resources Control Board on March 17, 2015.

New restrictions were added since the ones previously enforced have done little to change the pace at which California’s water reservoirs are disappearing. Carrying a $500.00 fine, the regulations passed in October 2014 prohibited Californians from: 

• washing down sidewalks and driveways
• watering in a way that causes runoff
• washing a motor vehicle without a shut-off nozzle on hose 
• operating a fountain or water feature that doesn’t recycle the water 

These will continued to be enforced, and will be joined by new restrictions which were passed on March 17, 2015. The new restrictions include: 

• no watering during rain or 48 hours after rainfall
• restaurants only can serve water to customers who ask for it
• hotels must give guests the choice of not having their towels and linens washed on a daily basis. 

The latest restrictions are heading in the right direction to help decrease the amount of water used in California. However these steps are only the beginning of necessary water restrictions our state will be facing. People can choose to be pro-active; there is no need to wait until it's mandatory to make other cuts in consumption. Water recycling and catchment programs are an essential part of the solution. 

For landscaping, there are many things you can do to cut your water usage and save money: 

• swap out lawn for xeriscape and get a rebate 
• planting native plants and drought resistant landscaping
• using smart irrigation

At Pacific Vista Landscape Services, we can help create a climate friendly garden. We are experts when it comes to native plants and drought tolerant options as well as non-vegetative landscaping additions. We also provide the latest smart technology in irrigation systems that can also save you even more money in rebates. Call us for a free irrigation evaluation and let us help you save water and money AND have a beautifully landscaped garden!

More info:

Xeriscaping: The Future of Landscaping

Smart Irrigation: Save Water & Money

A Greener Landscape: Re-Landscape with Lawn Rebates in Southern California

 

California's New Water Regulations

Ponds and waterfalls must recycle water!

Due to California’s 'Mediterranean' climate, it is normal for the state to experience dry periods. However, in these past few years, scarcely any rain has fallen in California, which has lead to a severe drought. A drought occurs when an area’s precipitation decreases, which causes a water shortage. In an effort to limit water usage during our severe drought, statewide regulations have been issued this year.

Regulations are being enforced concerning water usage, and a violation of these rules could result in a $500 fine. Watering driveways or sidewalks is strictly prohibited, along with the watering of personal property IF it causes water runoff. You can still water, but there are regulations on how water can be used. For example, if you want to wash your car, the hose you use must have a shut-off nozzle and any ponds, fountains or other water features on your property must recycle water.

Example of water waste!

Depending on where you live in California, the rules and regulations vary. However, there are general rules that are enforced in most areas. You can only water outside two days a week during the winter, three during the summer, and during certain hours. These hours are in the early morning, late afternoon, and night. Watering during midday allows for higher evaporation and less ground absorption which is counterproductive. In severely affected areas, water usage is already limited to 50 gallons per individual in a household. Those who exceed the limits or have blatant water waste, are subject to a $500 fine as well as being charged 160% higher rates for water usage.

If the drought continues and people don’t make an attempt to conserve water, stricter water regulations will be enforced overall. An example of this would only being able to water one day of the week and more areas having usage limits and higher rates. The drought doesn’t seem like it will be over anytime soon, and to replenish water reservoirs and put an end to the drought California would roughly need around a foot of rainwater. Since it is impossible to change the weather, the only thing people can do to help is conserve water and follow the regulations that have been enforced.

We are here to help! At Pacific Vista Landscape Services, we are experts on irrigation and drought resistant landscaping, read more here:
http://landscape-and-property-news.blogspot.com/2014/03/smart-irrigation-save-water-money.html 
There are also rebates programs that can help mitigate the cost for changing lawns to drought resistant landscaping and updating irrigation systems covered here:
http://landscape-and-property-news.blogspot.com/2013/12/a-greener-landscape-re-landscape-with.html
Call us for a free irrigation evaluation and let us help you save water and money AND have a beautifully landscaped garden!

Using Native Californian Plants Helps Water Conservation

Using native Californian plants is an excellent way to conserve water. By planting indigenous vegetation, less water is used to enable plants to thrive, once established, versus a variety that would need increased water to survive in our climate. The following is some native Californian options from DWP's Bewaterwise.com:

Shrubs:

California Redbud: "An interesting plant all year long, with magenta flowers on leafless stems in summer, followed by crimson seedpods and heart-shaped blue-green leaves. Deciduous, with yellow or red fall foliage falling away in winter to reveal smooth reddish brown trunks. Long lived, very drought tolerant, and flowers more profusely as it matures.

Cleveland Sage: With nearly 100 species available in Western nurseries and an estimated 900 the world over, it was hard to choose just one sage to include. The Cleveland sage is the most fragrant, its scent carrying 20 feet on a warm night. Its fragrant pale lavender to violet blue flowers bloom in early summer. Drought tolerant.

Ceanothus 'Concha':This California lilac is a large shrub with a dense mass of dark green,1-inch leaves, with dark blue clusters of flowers appearing in spring. Requires good drainage; can tolerate summer water. Grows to six feet.

Coffee Berry: Very drought tolerant, particularly when established. Dark green to yellowish green leaves can be either shiny or dull. Berries turn from green to red to black during a lengthy ripening period. Moderate growth that can be pruned and shaped. Grows from 3-15 feet tall, 8 feet wide.

Trees:

Coast Live Oak: Handsome shade tree. Round-headed with dense foliage, grows 20-70 feet tall. Smooth, dark grey bark, with leathery dark green leaves. Native to coastal central and Southern California.

Western Sycamore: Smooth, gracefully twisted branches, multiple or leaning 

trunks. Patchy brown, gray and white bark. Can grow 15-20 feet in 5-10 years. Drought tolerant once established. Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

Perennials and Annuals:

California Poppy: What native plant list would be complete without the flower chosen as the state emblem in 1903? Great for grassy slopes, foothills, along drives or in naturalized gardens. Cup-shaped yellow, orange or white flowers bloom from February sometimes through summer. A perennial more often grown as an annual, this wildflower is easily grown from seed and may intrude where it is not wanted.

Deer Grass: Bright green leaves in a dense clump growing to 4 feet wide and high. Slender yellow or purplish flower spikes in autumn are erect at first, and then leaning. Takes full sun or light shade; little or no water.

Island Alum Root: This evergreen perennial plant attracts hummingbirds each spring when hundreds of pinkish white flowers blossom in 2-3 foot clusters. Makes a good ground cover or border. Very drought tolerant and cold resistant. Grows to approximately 1 foot high by 2 feet wide.

Succulents: 

Chalk Dudlea: A picturesque succulent that thrives in containers with little attention. Needs well-drained soil, sun, and very little water. Increases in size through formation of new rosettes."

These variations are a beautiful way to preserve our natural vegetation in California and they make the most sense for water conservation. Our professionals at Pacific Vista Landscape Services are experts in choosing low-water vegetation and installing energy efficient sprinkler systems for a flourishing native Californian landscaped garden that saves water and money!