Drought Tolerant Landscaping

 

 

 

 

 

Just a reminder that Summer watering regulations are in effect. Check your water bill for the rules in your area. We must all conserve. The danger from drought is not over. But your plants do not have to die, they can be managed properly without loosing them. Give us a call to get help with your watering or sprinkler systems.Jess Ranch property

By Cindy Poore

 

 

Spring is a time for new beginnings. It gets us all warmed up for a summer of fun and activities. Seeds are popping up all over. They are mostly weeds, but if you play it right, you can choose. Decide what you want your world to look like this year and get out there and sow some seeds of your own!

 

“It’s spring fever. That is what the name of it is. And when you’ve got it, you want—oh, you don’t quite know what it is you do want, but it just fairly makes your heart ache, you want it so!”
Mark Twain

Spring is  big for…

 

  • —Composting. If you are planning on planting, especially a veggie garden or fruit trees, now is the time to get your compost pile going if you didn’t do it in the fall. To speed up the process in your compost pile, shred your greenwaste clippings or straw in smaller pieces and keep the pile wet and turn frequently. Add some nice  amendments for your soil like oyster shell (calcium) and some store-bought organic compost to inoculate your pile to get is going faster. You could have a pile in as little as 6 weeks.
  • —Pruning. Time to cut back the driedleaves, grasses and branches on those perennials.  Russian Sage will still look like it’s dead. Don’t believe it! It will be budding out and blooming very soon.
  • — Planting. Now is the second best time to plant. While we can plant literally anytime here in Southern California,  some times are better than others. Fall being best and spring is a close second.
  • — Weed Control. Still doing weed preventative spraying Call now to get on our schedule.

 

Embrace the lawn replacement!

The big push is on to get rid of our lawns. 🙁  It does not, however have to be rock!  AND it can be green and soothing while requiring much less water so we can still enjoy our yard and be responsible to the earth and the future of our granchildren.

There are  lots of ground covers that work really well as lower water use and allow us to be responsible and earth-friendly.  The plants on the list below all work in  different situations but all are beautiful and require a lot less water than a lawn.

 

Ajuga

Moneywort

Creeping Thyme

Sedums

 

And my favorite,……Carpet Junipers

 

prc_gc_bluerugjuniper

 

rebate approvedOK, So I am always helping others with changing their landscapes and saving water to boot for others! Now it’s my turn. We have applied to the SaveOurWaterRebate program to switch out some cranky grass on our place. I made the application and took and sent 5 pictures and a copy of our water bill and we were approved for the program! Woo Hoo!!

I wanted to experience what you do when you apply and change to a drought tolerant landscape. So I will report here on how it all goes. Going to get $2000 back to mitigate our landscaping costs.

If you want to apply, Check it out here: http://www.saveourwaterrebates.com/

Baby tumbleweed farm here! El Nino is not done yet. Rain is on the way. Expect to see a LOT of weeds! If this isn’t for you, then weed preventer is in the cards. We apply it. Call us!

 

weedy planter

Hi All,  If any of you were considering applying for the Cash for Grass program, you should do so right away. The Mojave Water Agency sponsors the program through grants from the State. Their funds are running out for real this time.  You have until March 31st to apply for the program. Just one MONTH!

 

Contact your local water company and they will give you the info on how to apply.Jess Ranch property