EDUCATION & ASSISTANCE

Take advantage of these FREE classes led by industry professionals to help with your landscape renovation project.

• Waterscape Rebate Program Workshops - Demonstration workshops that support the Waterscape rebates are regularly available.
• California Friendly and Native Plant Classes - Classes on turf removal, rainwater capture, design, irrigation systems, and more prepared by the Metropolitan Water District and other member agencies.
• Healthy Garden - Healthy Home Classes - Basic gardening, growing edible plants, and reducing the use of chemicals in the landscape.
• Landscape Makeover Videos - This series of workshop recordings provides in-depth landscape transformation information. Topics include site assessments, landscape design, plant selection, stormwater management, proper irrigation, landscape installation, and maintenance. Sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority.

RAINWATER CAPTURE

Get tips and resources to help you capture rain and use it in your yard.

Guidance Documents

• Rainwater Harvesting Calculation Guide - Understand how much water is generated at your property and plan for adequate feature sizing and storage.
• Project Photo Guidance - Properly document your pre-project, mid-project, and post-project features to ensure your rebate refund is quickly processed.
• Soil Drainage Test Guide - Assess how quickly water infiltrates into the soil to determine which rain-saving strategy works best for your property.
• Mulch and Landscape Fabric Guide - Identify the most appropriate strategies to cover bare soil, conserve water, and minimize erosion.

Rain-Saving Basics

• Rain Barrel Basics - A simple, step-by-step guide for installing most standard-sized rain barrels.
• Rain Garden Basics - A simple, step-by-step guide for installing a rain garden on your property. 

Rain-Saving Diagrams

Rain Barrels and Cisterns

• Rain Barrel with Diverter Diagram - A rain barrel installation using a connection to the gutter system with a diverter.
• Rain Barrel with Downspout Diagram - A rain barrel installation using a downspout over the top of the barrel opening.
• Cistern to Rain Garden Diagram - Guidance for installing large rainwater harvesting containers.
• Downspout and First Flush Device Diagram - An optional component for additional water filtration prior to water storage.

Rain Gardens and Other Infiltration Strategies

• Rain Garden Diagram - A rain garden installation which illustrates techniques for proper water ponding and infiltration.
• Dry Creek Rain Garden Diagram -  A rain garden installation which includes added subsurface depth to detain and infiltrate additional water.
• Tree in Rain Garden Diagram - A rain garden with a tree included. Also see the Tree Planting & Staking diagram.
• Rain-Saving Sink Diagram - An installation designed for rainwater infiltration in small spaces.
• Boulder in Landscape Diagram - Boulders can add interest to a low water landscapes. This diagram illustrates how to properly install them.

TURF TRANSFORMATION

Remove a water-thirsty lawn, create a design, and select plants that will save water and beautify your yard.

Guidance Documents

• Project Photo Guidance - Properly document your pre-project, mid-project, and post-project features to ensure your rebate refund is quickly processed.
• Soil Drainage Test Guide - Assess how quickly water infiltrates into the soil to determine which rain-saving strategy works best for your property.
• Waterscape Rebate Program Turf Replacement Plan - The process, steps, and resources needed to convert water-thirsty turf to a sustainable landscape. 
• Turf Replacement Rebate Guide - A step-by-step guide when applying for a stacked incentive through the SoCal WaterSmart Turf Replacement Rebate Program.
• A Homeowner's Guide to a WaterSmart Landscape - A multi-paged booklet that details the turf transformation process from start to finish.
• Mulch and Landscape Fabric Guide - Identify the most appropriate strategies to cover bare soil, conserve water, and minimize erosion.
• Growing Guides - Strategies for the successful planning, installation, and maintenance of many types of plants and trees prepared by the Master Gardeners of San Diego County.

Design Support

Planting Themes and Plant Lists

• California Native Plants - Garden-friendly California native plants that tend to hold their color through dry summer months.
• Contemporary Plants - Sculptural-looking plants are great to be used in rows to provide a modern appearance in the landscape.
• Mediterranean Plants - Plants from other parts of the world that have adapted to similar low precipitation and dry summer conditions.
• Rain Garden Plants - Plants adapted to wet conditions and which can typically tolerate temporary water inundation.
• Small Space Plants - Plants that do not take up much room and tend to have less intrusive root systems.
• Tropical Effect Plants - Water-conserving plant choices that provide lush-looking green and color to the landscape.
• Butterfly Habitat Guide - A list of local butterflies and the plants that attract them into the landscape.
• Tree Selection Guide - search by tree characteristics and zip code to find trees that grow well in your area. Tree list prepared by the Urban Forest Ecosystems Institute at Cal Poly.
• WUCOLS Plant Search Database - Research plant water use by region and species to plan for water-efficient hydrozones. List compiled by UC Davis.

Planting Diagrams

• Tree Planting & Staking Diagram - Protect your tree investment by properly planting and staking young trees. Diagram courtesy of the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings. 
• Shrub Planting Diagram - Whether installed on flat areas or slopes, this information will help ensure a successful start to your planting area. Diagram courtesy of the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings. 
• Groundcover Planting Diagram - Space groundcover in a configuration that maximizes bare soil coverage and minimizes erosion. Diagram courtesy of the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings. 
• Boulder in Landscape Diagram - Boulders can add interest to a low-water landscape. This diagram illustrates how to properly install them.

LANDSCAPE SUSTAINABILITY

Incorporate garden actions that reduce water use, collect rainwater, avoid the use of chemicals, and support regional biodiversity.

Guidance Documents

• San Diego Sustainable Landscape Guide - A comprehensive guide to sustainable landscape strategies for the San Diego region.
• Native Landscape Program Resources - Regional resources to protect, enhance, and implement California native landscapes.
• California Native Plant Society-San Diego Chapter – Find out where to buy native plants, and review the Native Planting Guides.
• Native Plant Habitats and Garden Certification - In addition to adding California native plants, consider going a step further to provide water and shelter sources. Program by the National Wildlife Federation.
• Ocean Friendly Gardens – All eleven of our regional watersheds drain to the Pacific Ocean. The rain-saving strategies used in your yard protect our local ocean. Program by the Surfrider Foundation.

EFFICIENT IRRIGATION

Read about the basics of irrigation and how you can use smarter techniques and efficient equipment to reduce your water use. 

Guidance Documents

• Prevent Irrigation Runoff - One of the easiest ways to conserve water and reduce water costs is by ensuring your irrigation system is efficient and adjusted to prevent runoff.

Irrigation Diagrams

Diagrams courtesy of the San Diego Regional Standard Drawings. 

• Irrigation Bubbler or Spray Diagram - Provides installation standards for this common irrigation system component.
• Irrigation Deep Root Bubbler Diagram - Specifically for watering trees adjacent to paving, this diagram shows the basics for installing this piece of specialty equipment.

Irrigation Tools

• Landscape Watering Calculator - This tool creates a customized irrigation watering schedule for your garden. Developed by the Metropolitan Water District.
• California Irrigation Management Information System (CIMIS) - A network of over 140 automated weather stations in California providing the data and maps used in water use calculations and irrigation controller programming. Operated by the California Department of Water Resources.

Water Efficient Irrigation Demonstrations

LANDSCAPE MAINTENANCE

Learn about how to protect your landscape investment and support successful plant establishment.

Guidance Documents

Landscape Care

• Landscape Care Calendar - A year-round guide with monthly landscape check tasks to confirm plant health and other seasonal essentials.
• Irrigation Maintenance Guide - This overview guide helps owners identify common problems with irrigation systems, scheduling and identifies which parties are responsible for different irrigation maintenance tasks.

Integrated Pest Management (IPM)

• Integrated Pest Management - Keep pests away using Integrated Pest Management to protect the health of your family, pets, and our regional water resources.
• Integrated Pest Management in California - Statewide resource list for Integrated Pest Management (IPM) landscape practices, pest identification, and treatment developed by the University of California Agriculture & Natural Resources.