Ten Tips to Save Water and Create Your Own Sustainable Garden

1. Select: Choose WaterSmart plants and flowers that provide food for birds, butterflies, and bees. Prioritize native plants that thrive in the Southern California climate and are less susceptible to drought, pests and disease.
2. Research: Plant with the full-grown plant in mind. Remember a gallon plant can grow into a tree.
3. Water Before Sunrise: Soil absorbs water best when the temperature, evaporation rate, and wind are lower. Keep leaves dry overnight to minimize pests and diseases.
4. Water Deeply: To establish deep roots and happy plants, water deeply once a week or less than frequent shallow watering.
5. Cycle and Soak: Set your times to water in short bursts (30-60 minutes apart) for clay and soil slopes. This allows time for water to soak in the soil instead of running off.
6. Care: New plants require extra water during their 12 month establishment period. Water often for the first few weeks, water regularly in the first summer and then taper off.
7. Hydrozone Your Plants: Place plants with similar needs for water and sun on the same irrigation valve.
8. Drip Irrigation: Consider replacing your sprinkler system with drip irrigation in areas with shrubs or rows. The drip system will
9. reduce runoff and allow for direct water where needed.
10. Mulch: Layer three inches of mulch over all planting beds, surrounding every plant without touching the stems or trunks. Mulch retains soil moisture while it feeds the soil.
11. Lawn: Aerate grass periodically and adjust the sprinkler heads to minimize runoff and overspray. Set the lawnmower higher, as tall lawns use less water that short lawns.

Visit the Rainbow Water office to receive your complimentary spring planting guide for the top 50 native plants. For more information on sustainable landscaping, free landscape classes, rebates and other programs visit bewaterwise.com or Nifty 50 Plants that Thrive in San Diego.