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California Drought Over, Water Efficient Garden a Key to Conservation

On April 7th, after one of the wettest winter seasons the state has ever seen, Governor Jerry Brown issued an executive order, formally announcing the California drought over except in 4 counties: Fresno, Kings, Tulare and Tuolumne. This was a historic drought. On this day when the drought was announced over, Californians can feel proud that they put in the effort, and met the challenge successfully. A reservoir in Northern California, at the time of the announcement:

From a Weedy Turf to a Dream Garden

Against a full wall of Camilla trees, Lucy (not her real name)’s lawn used to be green and lush. With the drought, however, parts of the turf just went bare, with the remaining thin and weedy. Then rains – lots of them- came, the turf just turned into this big bed of wild weeds. Lucy had been wanting to replace it with a much nicer “dream garden”

Trees – Great Managers of Stormwater

Rains and storms have been sweeping California for the last couple of months, making 2017 a big wet year. While this is so great, relieving the state’s historic, 5-year drought, and lifting half of the state out of drought, now we face another issue opposite the drought: stormwater runoff, and in some places, flood and mudslide. Due to mudslide, some free ways in North Cal have to be closed.

How Can We Go Green With Water? Q&A with Environment Speaker Tony Green

The climate change is happening. In California, having just experienced a historical drought, we see what a hotter, dryer place is like first hand. As water is bound to become more and more scarce, how can we best preserve and conserve this valuable resource? Tony Green is an environment speaker who has given speeches at major green conventions and events around the country. We spoke with him about the environment, water, what we can do and more.

Water conservation: How did Californians do after mandate (Part II)

How is California’s water conservation after last report? The October number just arrived, so here they are: In September, Californians reduced water usage by 18.3% vs. 2013, in October, 19.5%. They are quite consistent with the numbers since June, when the water conservation mandate was lifted, in the 17%-22% range. These numbers indicate Californians continue to put in the effort to conserve water after the mandate, and the result is about 20% reduction for total potable urban water use since June.

From Brown to Floral Dream

I want to get rid of the brown lawn, like yesterday! and I want a garden of flowers! ” declared Sheena (not the real name), the owner of the house and a mom of young girls.

From Brown to California Native Charm

The brown lawn has been an eye sore to the owner of the house for quite a while. He had been wanting to replace it with something more beautiful, but did not know where to start. Since California’s drought five years ago, he put in his effort to conserve water, turning off the sprinklers. Sure enough, the lawn went brown. He heard about Landscape Conversion Rebate Program, but did not know how it worked.

Rethink stormwater – waste or asset?

When it rains and all the raindrops fall on our roofs, have you thought about where the stormwater go to? Well, most of it just goes down the sewer, into the creeks and rivers, and eventually out to the ocean.

Water conservation: how did Californians do after mandate?

The latest water conservation number just came in. In August, Californians reduced water usage by 17.7% vs. 2013, 35% less than what was achieved last August (27%).

Echium: Color and Drama for a Water Efficient Garden

Want color and drama in a water efficient garden? Consider Echium. At 6-8 feet tall when fully grown, their big spikes are like flower towers in a garden. With them in the picture, there is no chance a garden is plain and dull. Water Efficient Plant Echium originates from North Africa and nearby islands in Atlantic Ocean.

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