Published: Jan 28, 2014 | 09:00 AM

New Year, New You, New Yard

Up to 60 percent of your home’s total water usage is used outdoors. This year, save money and water by turning your yard into a CALscape, a California Appropriate Landscape, because it’s the right thing to do for California.

A recent study of Irvine Ranch Water District single-family customer water use revealed:

 

• 20% of a household’s total water use is attributed to over-watering
• Up to 60% of your home’s total water usage is used outdoors

You can be on your way to saving money and water by turning your water-thirsty landscape into a water-efficient CALscape. Reducing your outdoor water use starts with the right plants, schedule, and equipment.

The Right Plants: A California appropriate landscape starts with the right plants that are perfectly suited for our mild winters and warm, dry summers. They’re low maintenance, use little water and don’t need soil preparation or fertilizing. Visit www.irwd.com/calscape to view garden tours, garden galleries, a searchable plant database, and a garden resources section.

The Right Schedule: Keep your plants hydrated and healthy using the right amount of water with a CALscape Watering Schedule, available on our website (and on the back of this newsletter).

The Right Equipment: Water your garden efficiently and get the most from every drop of water with water-efficient equipment, such as rotating nozzles. We offer resources and rebates to help you water efficiently and effectively.

To help you transform your landscape into a CALscape, www.irwd.com/calscape offers resources, such as:

• Garden Galleries
• Searchable Plant Database
• Planting Guide
• Efficient Watering Schedule
• Rebates on Sprinklers, Weather-Based Irrigation Controllers, Rain Barrels and more.