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Water-Wise Gardens
New landscapes, by law, are now much more water-efficient and are required to adhere to the Landscape Development Requirements and Policies (LDRP) and Bay-Friendly Landscaping practices. Bay-Friendly Landscape plantings don't require as much water, avoid need for regular pruning, and use far less pesticides. The results are beautiful water-efficient landscapes that are easier to maintain.
Fremont residents can easily convert their existing gardens into water-efficient landscapes by considering the following practices.
Compost & Sheet-Mulch
Sheet mulching enriches soil, establishes a new garden area, and helps you to remove your lawn without using grass-killing chemicals. The first step to sheet mulching is using a biodegradable weed barrier such as recycled cardboard on top of the area you plan to convert. Compost and mulch is layered on top of this. Trees, shrubs, perennials and annuals can then be planted directly through the sheet mulch. Learn more about composting and sheet mulching from StopWaste.Not only do native plants require less water because they are adapted to our local climate, but they require less maintenance in terms of pruning, fertilizer, and pesticides. Additionally, they attract beneficial insects and native wildlife such ladybugs, bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, which can help to pollinate other plants in your yard and encourage a healthy local ecosystem. Learn more about the benefits of natives from the California Native Plant Society.
Permeable landscaping prevents water runoff and allows air and water to penetrate the soil. In the garden, permeable landscapes can consist of mulch, bark, rocks, sand, and decomposed granite for walkways and other areas where you do not wish to have plants. Read more about permeable landscaping from PlantSF.
Use Artificial Turf Sparingly
Artificial turf can serve as a useful alternative to turf grass in specific situations. For example, its use in athletic fields offers a low-maintenance, weed-free playing surface that does not require fertilizer or water and is resistant to heavy foot traffic. On the other hand, artificial turf does not support biodiversity and can detract from your garden's soil health. Furthermore, the process of making artificial turf requires significant chemical resources, and runoff can carry those pollutants into our water supply. When artificial turf exceeds its useful life, it must be disposed of, often ending up in landfills. Artificial turf therefore should only be used sparingly and in situations where turf grass would otherwise be necessary. Learn more about lawn alternatives from Sunset and the drawbacks of artificial turf from StopWaste.
Use Bay-Friendly Gardening Practices
ReScape California, also known as the Bay-Friendly Landscaping & Gardening Coalition, is a nonprofit organization that promotes sustainable landscaping and gardening practices to reduce waste and pollution, conserve natural resources, and create vibrant landscapes and gardens. Bay-Friendly Practices & Principles involve gardening with the following 7 elements in mind:
- Landscape Locally: Garden with an awareness of local conditions and the land’s natural inhabitants
- Landscape for Less Landfill: Make compost, use organic materials, choose appropriate plants for the region
- Nurture the Soil: Use compost, hand-till, sheet-mulch, grow cover crops, leave leaves & grass clippings on soil
- Conserve Water: Plant CA native or Mediterranean plants, minimize lawn areas, use mulch, collect rainwater
- Conserve Energy: Plant trees for shade, purchase materials from local suppliers, use energy-efficient equipment
- Protect Water & Air Quality: Use permeable materials, avoid invasive species, use hand tools, avoid chemical fertilizers & pesticides
- Create Wildlife Habitat: Plant CA natives, provide year-round vegetation, diversify plant species, allow plants to go to seed
Lawn Conversion Rebate Programs
California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has a rebate program for removing turf and replacing it with landscapes that require little water at California single-family residences to support the State's drought response. Rebates are up to $2 per square foot. For more information, visit the Save Our Water Rebates page.
Workshops
The Bay Area Water Supply and Conservation Agency (BAWSCA) offers regular landscape classes in the spring and fall throughout the Bay Area. Check their website to find upcoming events and workshops at the Alameda County Water District's headquarters in Fremont.
Residential Gardening Guides
- ACWD: Water Conservation Brochures (printed guides)
- EBMUD: Plants and Landscape for Summer-Dry Climates (hardcopy publication)
- City of San Jose: Green Gardens, Healthy Creeks—Water Wisely (downloadable guide)
- Summer-Dry Plants and Gardens (website)
- Zone 7 Water Agency: Landscaping Tips (website)
- Zone 7 Water Agency: Water-Wise Gardening (website)
- BAWSCA: Water-Wise Gardening in the Bay Area (website)
- Bay-Friendly Gardening Guidebook: From Your Backyard to the Bay (downloadable guide)
- Gardens for San Lorenzo (downloadable guide)
- StopWaste: How-To Garden Video Series (online streaming)
- Sunset Magazine: Easy Water-Wise Gardening (downloadable guide)
- Sunset Magazine: Water-Wise Garden Makeover (website)
- UC Master Gardener Program: Gardening Resources (website)
- UC Master Gardener Program: Gardening with Limited Water (downloadable guide)
- Save Our Water (website)
- CA Urban Forests Council: Help Your Trees Survive the Drought (downloadable guide)
- EPA WaterSense Smart Outdoor Practices (website)
- EPA WaterSense Water-Smart Landscapes (downloadable guide)
Demonstration Gardens
The Alameda County Master Gardeners are trained by the University of California Agricultural Extension to extend research based knowledge and information on home gardening issues to the residents of Alameda County. Demonstration Gardens are found at the following locations:
- Quarry Lakes Drought Tolerant Demonstration Garden (Fremont)
- Livermore Drought Tolerant Demonstration Garden
- Lake Merritt Trials Garden (Oakland)