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California is Now in a State of Drought Emergency

1/31/2014

11 Comments

by Dave Waltzer
 
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One square foot of grass consumes 25 gallons of water per year.
At this point in time water conservation in California is still voluntary, but mandatory conservation measures are almost inevitable. You can reduce your outdoor water consumption up to 70% by converting your water guzzling garden to a beautiful but water-wise Xeriscape. 

The most egregious offender when it comes to guzzling thousands of gallons of water is … your lawn! Just keeping that glorified weed-bed green uses 25 gallons of water per square foot per year. If your water district uses a cost based conservation enforcement system, you are soon going to be paying thousands of extra dollars on your water bill to maintain it. Getting rid of your grass and replacing it with a water-efficient xeriscape is the smartest move.  Simply put, a xeriscape is a drought tolerant landscape style often incorporating inanimate objects such as boulders, and contour (mounding) to create contrast and better drainage.

There is a misconception that drought tolerant gardens are by necessity dry and bleak in appearance. This is absolutely untrue. In fact, a well designed xeriscape can be green and vibrantly colorful, even lush, and far more interesting and pleasing to the eye than your former lawn.

Click any of the images below to full size and see just some of the creative landscape possibilities possible with low water xeriscape.
Xeriscape along drive at California home.
Front view of landscape with xeriscape.
Colorful low water usage garden.
Lush xeriscape.
Front year transformed with water smart xeriscape.
When I design a xeriscape, my goal is to create a garden that meets the following criteria: 
  • low water consumption
  • year round color
  • low landscape maintenance

And here is the even better news. Your local water district will help pay for your xeriscape installation. If you are converting a lawn to a xeriscape, water departments are offering up to a dollar per square foot toward the installation.

With all these things in mind
  1. reduced water consumption and water bills
  2. no sacrifice on your landscapes color and beauty
  3. your local water district helping to pay for the conversion
you have nothing to lose and a lot to gain in switching to xeriscape.

Call (831) 252-0121 or Contact Earth Art today for an estimate, consultation or to get started.
 
11 Comments
    Picture

    Dave Walzer

    Landscape Design Contractor and Horticulturalist in the Santa Cruz, CA area.

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