Southern Californian Cities Focus On Water Conservation and Recycling to Reduce Imported Water

Photo by Susan Embree-Davis

California is the most populated state with nearly 38 million people, about double the population of the late 60's. As the population grew, so did the need for more water and we started importing water from far away sources to supplement our local supply. Not only has this taken a toll on the ecosystems of these sources, like the Colorado River, it has become more and more expensive and, with the demand still growing, some local cities are looking to sustainable long term solutions, like water conservation and recycling, to reduce dependence on water importing.

According to a National Geographic News Watch article 'California Cities to Reduce Water Imports From the Colorado River and Bay-Delta' written by Sandra Postel, "Five southern California cities that today rely heavily on water transferred hundreds of miles from the Colorado River and the San Francisco Bay-Delta are reversing this trend: they aim to cut their dependence on long-distance water imports by ramping up conservation, recycling and reliance on local supplies.

Collectively, water agencies serving Santa Monica, Camarillo, Ventura County, Long Beach and Los Angeles plan to cut their water imports by more than 40 billion gallons a year, enough to meet the annual household demands of 1.1 million people, according to a recent analysis by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)."

Each city has different reduction ratio goal, with Santa Monica aiming highest at lowering dependence from 84% down to 0% by 2020; they are all looking primarily to conservation and recycling water as well as using local ground and run-off water for non-drinking uses, like land irrigation, to achieve this goal. "The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP), which serves 3.9 million residents in the greater L.A. area, plans to diversify its water supply portfolio as it cuts its dependence on imported Colorado River and Bay-Delta water by 35 percent. The LADWP will boost investments in conservation, recycling, stormwater capture and water transfers to make up the difference."

It's about time our cities reduce dependence on imported water and makes the most sense for long term sustainability. At Pacific Vista Landscape Services, we know that everything we can do to help our customers save water while still enjoying a beautiful garden in our desert climate is key. Designing and installing the most advanced irrigation technologies and systems available in conjunction with landscape design, we have saved our clients thousands of dollars while conserving our most precious resource, water!

Southern California: Brush Clearance Time!

In the wake of the Powerhouse Fire, we are all reminded it's that time of year to clear brush in our beautiful Southern California.  Even if you have not received an inspection notice from the Los Angeles Fire Department, do not assume that you do not need to be in compliance. By being proactive, your property will be safer in the event of a fire.

Pacific Vista Landscape Services is here for you to help protect your home by clearing the brush and doing it safely and correctly. The Los Angeles Fire Department website has helpful information for homeowners who are getting ready to clear brush around their homes. It is very important to follow their advice as clearing brush has often led to fires when done incorrectly.

LAFD BRUSH CLEARANCE
SAFETY TIPS FOR HOMEOWNERS:

"Remember that when clearing your brush, safety is very important. In recent
years many brush fires have started by homeowners attempting to clear their
brush. Many times, the sparks produced from metal blades on motorized
equipment has started fires.

The following are simple guidelines for homeowners to follow to clear their brush
safely:

• Always have a water source readily available. A water extinguisher, garden hose or a few buckets of water. 
• Avoid clearing brush during the peak temperatures of the day, between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm and on days when a Red Flag Alert* has been declared by the Fire Department.
• Only use properly maintained motorized equipment and have a spark arrester when required.
• Do not refuel motorized equipment while motor is running. Use approved fuel-dispensing containers only. 
• Always make sure the hot exhaust on any motorized equipment is clear of any vegetation. (grasses, weeds, shrubs) 
• Do not use metal blades on weed whackers/whips. Use nylon line or plastic blades instead.
• Always wear safety glasses and gloves. Hard hats and dust masks are recommended. 

* Red Flag weather days refer to certain weather conditions that can cause a wild-land fire to
 start and to spread rapidly. These conditions generally exist when the winds exceed 25 mph
 and relative humidity is below 15%."

To see LAFD requirements, click here:

LAFD Sketch of General Requirements

0 to 100 Feet Clearance

100 to 200 Feet Clearance.

For more information, call LAFD at
(818) 374-1111, or visit www.lafd.org/brush .

Pacific Vista Landscape Services is here to help with all you landscaping needs and are experts when it comes to clearing brush. Protect your property as much as possible by being in compliance during this dry fire season. Call us for a quote at 661-222-7525!

Rattlesnake Season!

Pacific Vista Landscape Services has eradicated up to 20 rattlesnakes from communities in

Santa Clarita in one year. This year will be one of the worst snake seasons on record experts are predicting thanks to the heavy rains of a few years ago. The snakes are waking up from hibernation and baby snakes are hatching. There are about 300 snakebite cases in California each year. Most bites in California happen between April and October, and they can be fatal.

Do's and don’ts in snake country:                                                      

**Never go barefoot or wear sandals when walking through wild areas. Wear hiking boots.

**When hiking, stick to well-used trails and wear over-the-ankle boots and loose-fitting long pants. Avoid tall grass, weeds and heavy underbrush where snakes may hide during the day.

**Do not step or put your hands where you cannot see, and avoid wandering around in the dark. Step ON logs and rocks, never over them, and be especially careful when climbing rocks or gathering firewood. Check out stumps or logs before sitting down, and shake out sleeping bags before use.

**Be careful when stepping over the doorstep as well. Snakes like to crawl along the edge of buildings where they are protected on one side.

**Never hike alone. Always have someone with you who can assist in an emergency.

**Do not handle a freshly killed snake, it can still inject venom.

**Teach children early to respect snakes and to leave them alone. Children are naturally curious and will pick up snakes.

Keeping snakes out of the yard:

The best protection against rattlesnakes in the yard is a “rattlesnake proof” fence. It can be expensive and requires maintenance, however. The fence should either be solid or with mesh no larger than one-quarter inch. It should be at least three feet high with the bottom buried a few inches in the ground. Slanting your snake fence outward about a 30-degree angle will help. Discourage snakes by removing piles of boards or rocks around the home. Use caution when removing those piles - there may already be a snake there.

What to do in the event of a snake bite:

Though uncommon, rattlesnake bites do occur, so have a plan in place for responding to any situation. Carry a portable phone, hike with a companion who can assist in an emergency, and make sure that family or friends know where you are going and when you will be checking in. The first thing to do if bitten is to stay calm. Generally, the most serious effect of a rattlesnake bite to an adult is local tissue damage which needs to be treated. Children, because they are smaller, are in more danger if they are bitten. Get to a doctor as soon as possible, but stay calm. Frenetic, high-speed driving places the victim at greater risk of an accident and increased heart rate. If the doctor is more than 30 minutes away, keep the bite below the heart, and then try to get to the doctor as quickly as possible.

The California Poison Control Center advises:  CALL 911

·       Stay calm

·       Wash the bite area gently with soap and water

·       Remove watches, rings, etc, which may constrict swelling

·       Immobilize the affected area

·       Transport safely to the nearest medical facility

For more first aid information please visit:   California Poison Control.

April Gardening Tips for Southern California Properties

by Jim Habeger, Pacific Vista Landscape Services, Inc.

Week One:

We suggest you continue to plant container-grown trees, shrubs, ground covers,
and perennial flowers.

www.pacificvistalandscape.com

However, in the desert, finish planting this month.

Week Two:

You should continue to plant warm-season annual flowers
(marigolds, petunias, etc.).

Week Three:

Keep mowing regularly -- about once every week or two -- and at the right height. It's the best thing you can do to control weeds and keep grass thick and healthy. In areas where it's hitting the 90s F, mow cool-season lawns such as bluegrass, ryegrasses, or fescues at 3 inches or so (2 inches in cooler weather). Mow warm-season grasses such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia at about 2 inches all growing season long.

Week Four:

De-thatch warm-season lawns, if necessary, once the lawn starts to grow. Fertilize your lawn. If conditions are dry, spider mites may well be starting to take hold. Control them by giving affected plants a strong daily blast with the hose, being sure to get underneath the leaves. This has the nice side effect of also reducing aphid populations. Keep up with watering, paying special attention to newly-planted plants, roses and lawns.

For best use of water, water around established plantings once the soil is dry about 6 inches below the surface. If you don't already have a drip irrigation system set up for your containers, check out the many types available at your garden center. Deadhead fading flower blossoms. You'll keep your garden neater and flowering better longer. Stake tall plants that need it now while they're just a foot or so high and continue to control snails and ants as needed.

http://www.pacificvistalandscape.com/

About The Author:
Jim Habeger, President, RMO, CLT, Pacific Vista Landscape, Inc., 2006 - date.
Certified Landscape Technician, 1997 - date.
Licensed Contracator since 1994, 3 Classifications.
25+ years in the landscape industry.
Awards:
City of La Canada, Beautification Award, 2012.
Building of The Year (TOBY), 2011 - BOMA.
Service Partner of The Year, 2011 - CB Richard Ellis.

OH DEER In Your Garden...

by Kerry King, QAC - Agriculture, Pacific Vista Landscape Services, Inc.

As the natural habitat for deer and other animals is reduced by the urban expansion, hunger, and

Click on image to enlarge

drought, herbivores are driven into our back yards and gardens. With traditional deer deterrents, the cure is often worse than the damage. Using bags of human hair, bars of soap hanging in the trees, garlic or pepper spray is not going to help your problem.

There are far better ways to deter the deer from your garden or plants. Here are a few ideas that might work for you:

1. Using a liquid deer repellent  (must be reapplied on a regular basis)
2. Plant a plot garden to redirect the deer away from the plants you want to protect.
3. Find where the deer are entering you property and create a barrier with a plot saver product. This will put the repellent at nose level and the deer will not pass over it. 
4. Using motion sensors attached to lights or to your sprinkler system is effective.
5. Try blood meal at the base of you plants.  This is all organic and is a good source of nitrogen for your plants.
6. Use deer resistant plants where at all possible. A good reference to locate these plants is in the Sunset Western Garden Book or any on online horticulture site.  Here are just a few:

http://www.amazon.com/Western-Garden-Book-Climate-Experts/dp/0376039167

• Buddleja / Butterfly bush
• Berberis / Barberry
• Feijoa / Pineapple guava
• Ceanothus/ California lilac
• Rosemary
• Salvia / Sages 

About the Author:

Mr. Kerry King,

Sr. Acct Mgr., QAC-Agriculture,

Pacific Vista Landscape Services, Inc. has over 38 years in the landscaping profession.