A Homeowner's Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape

Weed smart. Manage weeds naturally whenever
possible. The common use of herbicides can be
costly and is very damaging to the environment.
Proper landscape design, as well as building and
maintaining a healthy soil, can be the best defense
against weeds. To stop the spread of weeds, hand
pull any weeds that come up in your garden every
few weeks. Be sure to pull them before they go to
seed.
Manage pests. Use integrated pest management
strategies instead of harmful chemical pesticides and
insecticides. See University of California Integrated
Pest Management program www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/
GENERAL/whatisipmurban.html.
Mulch. Maintain a 2-to-3-inch layer of mulch.
Replace the mulch layer in the spring, if needed.
Make a clean sweep. Use a broom or blower instead
of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks.
Make a plant maintenance checklist. Keep a
copy of the plant list and make a checklist for key
maintenance requirements for each plant.
Monitor. Monitor monthly costs and water use on
an ongoing basis.
Maintain a 2-to-3-inch layer of mulch
Find incentives. Be sure to take advantage of
rebates and educational opportunities offered by
the Regional Water Authority and local water
providers. www.BeWatersSmart.info
Celebrate! Enjoy peace of mind that comes
from knowing you did your part to protect our
natural resources and the environment for the
health of our families, communities and the
waterways of California.
Carpenter Bee on California Fuchsia
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