Standardizing New Sustainability Metrics in 2026

"People don't recognize that mainstream plants such as camellias and boxwood, for example, can go months without water," stated gardener Tom Ash of WeatherTRAK, a business that developed weather-based sprinkler timers that water just when they notice your plants need it. "House owners typically overwater their landscapes by 50 percent," he said.

A California-friendly landscape is about the plants. And it is also about the plant keeper: the property owner who chooses when and how much to water and takes an active function in where the water goes.

Big shade trees assist keep the landscape cool and moist, especially throughout our long, hot summertimes. Pick appropriate plants. If you believe yuccas are yucky, dig a little deeper into your gardening books to discover plants that depend on a lot less water than possibly you thought. For example, daffodils do not need a drop of water in the summer season, if you get my drift.

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

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Do not lose water. According to the Surfrider Structure and Orange County Coastkeeper, letting water hit the curb for any factor is bad.

Three inches of mulch go a long way toward maintaining the water we do use. If you think you are currently proficient at saving water in your landscape, you can evaluate your nerve to find out.

Pacific Green Landscape Maintenance

All gardens will be judged by the public first ("American Idol"-design), who can see and vote online at from June 1 to July 1. Find out about the plants you currently have.

Adopting New ESG Metrics in 2026

Group plants according to water needs. 2. Broaden your plant palette. California-friendly plants can consist of and are not restricted to ornamental yards, bulbs, shrubs, natives, succulents and a lot of plants from Mediterranean climates worldwide. 3. Take note of design. Not all drought-tolerant landscapes need to be dull as dirt. Let a creative style, and not necessarily the plants, take spotlight.

Mulch, mulch, mulch and do not forget to mulch. The judges will be trying to find 3 inches a minimum of. 5. Install 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 only when your plants need it.

Be your own smart timer. Find out to read your landscape, take a look at the soil and plants and think about the climate before you flip the water turn on. 7. Control overflow. Make sure a single drop never hits your driveway or the gutter. 8. Check out permeable hardscape products such as pavers and gravel that filter water before it trickles into the watershed.

Go natural. Give drier landscapes a great credibility by keeping your landscape pinched and pruned to perfection. Low water does not suggest low upkeep.

All gardens will be judged by the public first ("American Idol"-design), who can see and vote online at from June 1 to July 1. Finalists will then be selected by a panel of judges. Find contest details, rules and application info at . 1. Learn more about the plants you currently have.

Why Switch Towards Eco-Friendly Commercial Landscaping?

Group plants according to water requirements. California-friendly plants can consist of and are not limited to ornamental lawns, bulbs, shrubs, natives, succulents and a lot of plants from Mediterranean climates worldwide. Let an innovative style, and not necessarily the plants, take center stage.

Pacific Green Landscape Maintenance

The judges will be looking for 3 inches at least. Install a weather-based timer that senses the moisture level in your soil and the air and integrates the information with knowledge of your landscape to water just when your plants need it.

Be your own clever timer. Learn to read your landscape, look at the soil and plants and think about the environment before you turn the water turn on. 7. Control runoff. Ensure a single drop never ever strikes your driveway or the rain gutter. 8. Look into permeable hardscape products such as pavers and gravel that filter water before it drips into the watershed.

Proven Advantages of Integrating California-Friendly Flora Species

Go organic. Give drier landscapes a great credibility by keeping your landscape pinched and pruned to perfection. Low water does not indicate low upkeep.