Implementing Key Sustainability Metrics in 2026

"Individuals do not understand that mainstream plants such as camellias and boxwood, for instance, can go months without water," stated gardener Tom Ash of WeatherTRAK, a business that developed weather-based sprinkler timers that water only when they sense your plants require it. "House owners typically overwater their landscapes by half," he stated.

Don't confuse friendly with native. While lots of natives are drought-tolerant, so too are luscious-looking plants from all over the world. A California-friendly landscape has to do with the plants. And it is likewise 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 find plants that rely on a lot less water than maybe you believed. Daffodils don't need a drop of water in the summertime, if you get my drift.

Lawn is the biggest water drinker in the landscape, needing 70 percent of the landscape water we use. Water less.

Evaluating Traditional Versus Drought-Tolerant Maintenance Systems

You might be surprised at just how much your plants can live without. Don't waste water. Ash states that of the 70,000 gallons we utilize on landscapes a year, half is lost in runoff, irrigation leakages and overwatering. Control runoff. According to the Surfrider Foundation and Orange County Coastkeeper, letting water hit the curb for any reason is bad.

Mulch like there is no tomorrow. Three inches of mulch go a long way towards retaining the water we do utilize. If you think you are currently proficient at saving water in your landscape, you can test your nerve to learn. The countywide California Friendly Landscape Contest goes through June 1.

Pacific Green Landscape Maintenance

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. Finalists will then be chosen by a panel of judges. Find contest information, guidelines and application info at . 1. Learn more about the plants you already have.

Adopting Essential ESG Reporting for 2026

Group plants according to water requirements. 2. Broaden your plant scheme. California-friendly plants can consist of and are not restricted to decorative grasses, bulbs, shrubs, locals, succulents and a lot of plants from Mediterranean climates worldwide. 3. Focus on style. Not all drought-tolerant landscapes require to be dull as dirt. Let an innovative design, and not always the plants, take spotlight.

The judges will be looking for 3 inches at least. Set up a weather-based timer that senses the wetness level in your soil and the air and integrates the details with knowledge 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 turn the water switch on. Make sure a single drop never ever strikes your driveway or the gutter. Look into permeable hardscape items such as pavers and gravel that filter water before it drips into the watershed.

Go organic. Provide drier landscapes a good track record by keeping your landscape pinched and pruned to excellence. Low water doesn't mean low upkeep.

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

Measuring Key ESG Performance Indicators

Group plants according to water needs. California-friendly plants can consist of and are not restricted to ornamental grasses, bulbs, shrubs, natives, succulents and a lot of plants from Mediterranean environments worldwide. Let an innovative design, and not necessarily the plants, take center phase.

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 combines the info with knowledge of your landscape to water only when your plants require it.

Be your own wise timer. Find out to read your landscape, look at the soil and plants and consider the environment before you turn the water turn on. 7. Control runoff. Make sure a single drop never ever hits your driveway or the rain gutter. 8. Look into permeable hardscape items such as pavers and gravel that filter water before it drips into the watershed.

A Guide for Updating Older Commercial Campuses

Go organic. Offer drier landscapes a good reputation by keeping your landscape pinched and pruned to perfection. Low water does not indicate low upkeep.