Tired of staring at a landscape that just won't cooperate? Whether you're battling plants that won't thrive or just don't know which native plants work best, it’s time to take the guesswork out of gardening.
Rainbow Water customers are invited to join the free classes hosted by Metropolitan Water District in partnership with Vallecitos Water District and Vista Irrigation District.  Scroll down to see what’s blooming at the two free in-person workshops on Sunday, March 29 in San Marcos.

CA Friendly® & Native Plant Landscape Training

Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District in partnership with Vallecitos Water District and Vista Irrigation District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Please complete the online sign up form.
In-Person Class Venue: Vallecitos Water District, 201 Vallecitos De Oro, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

Transform your outdoor space into a beautiful, water-efficient landscape with our California Friendly® & Native Plant Landscape Training. This engaging and practical course introduces participants to the core principles of sustainable landscaping, tailored specifically for California’s unique climate and ecology.

Participants will learn how to:

• Build Healthy Living Soil – Discover the importance of soil biology and techniques to nurture nutrient-rich, water-retaining soil.
• Capture Rainwater – Explore simple strategies to slow, spread, and store rainwater to reduce runoff and replenish groundwater.
• Select Climate-Appropriate & Native Plants – Choose vibrant, low-maintenance plants that support local biodiversity and thrive with minimal water.
• Use High-Efficiency Irrigation – Implement smart irrigation systems and best practices that reduce waste and save money.

The course includes helpful information on current rebate programs, making it easier to start your sustainable landscaping journey!

Garden Design Seminar

Date: Sunday, March 29, 2026
Time: 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Class Sponsored By: Metropolitan Water District in partnership with Vallecitos Water District and Vista Irrigation District
Registration: Advanced registration required for the free event. Please complete the online sign up form.
In-Person Class Venue: Vallecitos Water District, 201 Vallecitos De Oro, San Marcos, CA 92069, USA

Ready to create a garden that’s both beautiful and climate-resilient? This design seminar will walk you through the process of planning a landscape that captures rainwater, conserves resources, and thrives with local conditions.

You’ll learn how to:

• Understand and contour your landscape to capture and retain rainwater
• Calculate and site a rain garden for maximum benefits
• Create hydrozones to improve irrigation efficiency
• Choose climate-appropriate plants and group them for visual impact and function
• Integrate permeable hardscaping elements that support drainage and aesthetics
• Apply key design principles including “right plant, right place,” plant forms, accents, and color

By the end of the class, you’ll have the tools to develop a plant palette, sketch your layout, and design a landscape that’s sustainable, low-maintenance, and uniquely yours.