As the temperature rises this August and September so does interest and awareness in the alarming shortage of water our state is facing. As always, we hope you consider using California native plants in any plan to retrofit a water-thirsty landscape. Choose natives for the water efficiency and savings they offer as well as for their natural beauty and habitat value. Bring nature close to home for all the right reasons.

If you are changing to a more sustainable and cost-effective landscape this fall, you should be in the planning stages now. Research your options. Hold off until fall to plant any native plant material, but now is the time to start thinking about your design goals - water efficiency, authenticity, habitat value, bio-diversity, theme...

As you consider how you want to approach your landscape projects this fall, we would like to point you to some handy resources we've come across this summer to give you some ideas.

Large-Scale/Commercial Landscape Rebates
MWD and local water districts are extremely motivated to offer incentives to any one considering a more water-efficient retrofit of any landscape. For large-scale commercial landscapes, a variety of rebates are being offered.

http://bewaterwise.com/rebates03.html

Efficient irrigation of a low-water use landscape (featuring native plants!) results in tremendous long-term savings in natural resources, labor and of course, money. Irrigation control systems can offer significant results by watering any landscape most efficiently.

Residential Landscape Programs
Water agencies are encouraging the use of smart timers and offering rebates throughout southern California.

San Diego Water Authority - 20-Gallon Challenge Program
http://www.sdcwa.org/manage/20GallonChallenge.phtml

Municipal Water District of Orange County's water use efficiency page
http://www.mwdoc.com/Water_Use_Efficiency.html


Local Classes, Workshops & Demonstration Gardens
All over Southern California, landscape classes and workshops are being offered at locations with demonstration gardens. At Tree of Life Nursery we will be launching our own Sage Advice Workshop Series in October, but get the details for informative sessions taking place elsewhere this September.

San Diego County:
The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College, El Cajon
Gardening class offered September 8th.
www.thegarden.org

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center, Carlsbad
Free Lecture about Chaparral September 19th.
http://www.aguahedionda.org/recentevents.htm


LA/Orange County:
Theodore Payne Foundation, Sun Valley, CA
Three part Gardening With Native Plants series.
http://www.theodorepayne.org/

Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden, Claremont, CA
Basics of California Native Plant Gardening Workshop Series, (four part series)
http://www.rsabg.org/content/view/249/166/

Food for Thought
Read this inspiring article about how you can participate in providing much-needed habitat for birds. An alarming report released by the Audubon Society this June highlights the importance of "backyard habitats". One couple has taken action in their busy neighborhood in Richmond, and the benefits are much richer than water conservation.

Plants that make the birds feel at home
"Matt Zlatunich is a full-time San Francisco fireman. But he still wants to
build and run a fueling station. Not for you, not for your car. This one is
for the birds..." (To read article click here)

Still not convinced that Lawns are more costly than you thought?
If you really like "just the facts" you will really like this California Economic Policy report - Lawns and Water Demand in California published by the Public Policy Institute of California.
The landscaping trends of lawns in California (especially in inland areas) and their economic impact are discussed in extensive detail. The report comes complete with 8x10 color glossy photos, with circles and arrows, and a paragraph on the back of each one, explaining what each one is...
http://www.ppic.org/main/publication.asp?i=691

Hope you're enjoying the summer sun and warm weather just as much as we are! See you in October...