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| Landscape
for the California-Friendly Home |
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Information
on the plants and landscapes below can be found
in the Garden Guide at
www.bewaterwise.com; a site created by
Gardensoft for
the Metropolitan Water
District |
Landscape
irrigation is the number one water-consuming activity
at the average home. About two-thirds of the water
used in the typical home is used outdoors. Using
less water benefits your pocketbook in obvious ways.
But did you know that reducing landscape irrigation
also helps protect the environment from unnecessary
runoff and the pollutants that tend to go with the
runoff, such as fertilizer and herbicides?
There are several major steps one can take to lower
the amount of water used on landscape. Taken
together, many homeowners can reduce the amount of
water they use for landscape irrigation by 50 percent
or more.
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A great way to get started thinking and learning about
water conserving landscape is to watch the "California
friendly Garden Makeover," documenting the
conversion of what was one family's typical landscape to
a beautiful water-smart garden. |
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One of the best
water-smart garden sites is
www.bewaterwise.com.
This site even includes a 'hot-line' to answer your
specific questions regarding conservation gardening.
See what plants expert's recommend as "great
California native plants," or for a landscape
that blooms year-round, see the list of California drought-tolerant Natives recommended by an expert at Desconso Gardens. |
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Get some great ideas for your home by viewing
photographs of beautiful residential landscapes,
including front yards, backyards, pathways, gardens, and
other appealing elements. |
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View
beautiful pictures of plants and valuable information
about the plants, based on the type, or function, or
characteristics of the plant you want. You can also
search for these plants based on their common or
botanical names.
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Search for water-smart plants
based on the kinds you are looking for and your home's
micro-climate (shade vs. sun, etc.).
Learn how to plan, install, and maintain your
water-smart garden.
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- 7-step approach to planning
- Installation
- Garden Care
- Watering
- Tips on Buying California Natives
- Other Resources
Like
your car, sometimes your
irrigation system
needs a tune-up. This tune-up may be easier
than you think.
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'Attend'
an easy-to-use online primer on landscape
design, plant selection, irrigation basics, and planting
and maintaining your landscape (Go to this link,
then click the 'Online Gardening Class' Link).
It
may seem difficult to know just how
much and how often to water your landscape, but
we can show you a simple and effective way to figure
it out.
If
you have an irrigation controller, learn how
to set it properly.
Learn
everything you ever wanted to know about turf grass,
fixing broken or malfunctioning sprinklers, and about
residential landscape in general from the
California Urban Water Conservation
Council.
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View
a comprehensive list of public gardens, water-wise
nurseries, landscape architects,
contractors, and other resources.
Have green
lawn? Consider a beautiful alternative and read about the pros and cons of synthetic
turf.
Sign-up
for free monthly residential
landscape classes
offered to Long Beach Water Department customers
(call
562-570-2303).
We hope these resources provide you with the information
you need to help make your home an environmentally
friendly, water-smart, beautiful place for you and your
family to enjoy. |
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~ Thank you for conserving water -
our most precious natural resource ~ |
