Tag: california drought

Late September through December is the best time of year to install a permanent, drought-tolerant landscape, and now is the best time to plan it. Many people are aware that the “traditional landscape” of lush green lawn with rosebushes and manicured shrubs was developed in England and regions of France that get more than twice the rainfall we normally do. While a typical lawn in our area requires about 57 inches of water each year, South County only receives about 21 inches on average. So whether your source of water is a well or the Sierra snowpack, this is not a sustainable landscape long- term, even if we do get a wetter winter than last year.

When Gilroy residents Harry and Laurie Sontag made the decision to replace two-thirds of their lawn with pavers last spring, they were not aware of the lawn-replacement rebate offered by the Santa Clara Valley Water District. They just hoped to conserve water and create a larger space for hosting outdoor parties and watching movies on an outdoor screen.The project updated approximately 400 square feet of lawn and was completed in two weeks.

Is the grass greener on the other side? It shouldn’t be with the water restrictions we have all been given. Now well into summer, we have visual proof of what a serious California drought looks like in our own yards and neighborhoods. This is a hot topic. The Santa Clara Valley Water District reports that many homeowners are taking advantage of the rebate program to replace their lawns. I have heard the pros and mostly cons of replacing lawn with artificial turf. Recently, I saw a video of a company that uses a plant-based green dye to temporarily color your lawn until the rains come down, wash it away and bring back that luscious green we all dream about.