WaterSmart Landscape DESIGN FOR HOMEOWNERS · Soil Drainage and Percolation Test (Homeowner’s...

DESIGN FOR HOMEOWNERS

W E LCO M E !

WaterSmart Landscape

San Diego County Water Authority

Wholesale water agency created by the State Legislature in 1944

24 member agencies

3.3 million people

920,000 acre service area

s population

Builds, owns, operates and maintains regional water infrastructure

16% Local Supply

64% Colorado River

20% State Water Project

WaterSmart is where our San Diego lifestyle and water efficiency meet.

WaterSmart

San Diego Has Few Natural Water Assets

Very Little Rainfall

San Diego 9.1

*10-year average, 2005-2014

Very Little Groundwater

1946

694 TAF

Increasing San Diego County's Water Supply Reliability through Supply Diversification

588 TAF

Imperial Irrigation District Transfer

Metropolitan Water District Local Surface Water

GroundwaterRecycled Water

Seawater Desalination

Potable Reuse

All American & Coachella Canal Lining

455 TAF

578 TAF

93%

44%

38%Population

Jobs

Gross Domestic Product

San Diego County 1990 vs 2016

33%Potable Water Use

49%Gallons per Capita

Before

Our goal is to help YOU develop the knowledge and skills

necessary to create your own beautiful, WaterSmart landscape.

DESIGN FOR HOMEOWNERSWaterSmart Landscape

WaterSmartSD.org

Download the Presentation

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Watch Videos

How many of you are here to …

• Reduce your water use?• Learn which plants to use?• Learn how to get curb appeal?• Learn how to make a planting plan?• Learn how to retrofit irrigation?• Reduce maintenance?

Personal Goals

MAKEOVER SERIESWaterSmart Landscape

Course Goals

Teach Homeowners to:1. Identify Your Landscape Target 2. Create a Basic Plot Plan 3. Evaluate Your Site 4. Design Your WaterSmart Landscape5. Implement Your Plan6. Care for Your WaterSmart Landscape

Register:http://landscapemakeover.watersmartsd.org

Case Study 1

After Installation

Case Study 1

After: Approximately 6 months after installation

Case Study 1

After: Approximately 1 year after installation

Case Study 1

After: Approximately 2 years after installation

Case Study 1

Case Study 1

Close Up Details

Base Plan

Finished Planting Plan

Bubble DiagramFunctional

Hardscape & Preliminary Planting Plan

LID Plan

Soil & Site Analysis

Irrigation Plan

Steps to WaterSmart Landscape Design Process Overview

Identify YourTarget

Demolition Contouring Soil Prep Irrigation

Plant Placement

Steps to WaterSmart Landscape Implementation Overview

Installed Two Years Later

If you don’t know where you’re

going, anywhere will do.

Landscape Target Factors:

• Turf Area• Plant Selection• Irrigation Efficiency

Step 1:Identify Your Landscape Target

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Why Remove Turf?

Regional PerspectiveTurf’s Water Needs vs. Annual Rainfall

RequiredZone 4

Additional Water Required

Ave. Yearly Rainfall

Zone 447”

PLANT FACTOR- represents the estimated percent or portion of supplemental water needed relative to the Eto value of particular location

Source: Landscape Plants for California Gardens by Bob Perry


Plant Selection:

Turf

Natives & Mediterranean Plants

Irrigation Efficiency

ObsoleteConventional Overhead Spray Heads

MediumRotator Nozzles

HighIn-Line Drip emitters Bubblers


Use Pages 8 and 9 in your Homeowner’s Guide


Two Factors:• Irrigation Efficiency

• Plant Selection

Basic Plot Plan: A scale drawing of the property, drawn in accurate proportion using a standard measurement to represent one foot

Legend

N Arrow

Scale: 1/8” = 1”, 1/4” = 1’, 1/10”= 1’

Step 2:Create a Basic Plot Plan


Scales: Architectural and Engineering

Standard Size Properties:1/4 Scale: 1/4” = 1’ or 1” = 4’1/8 Scale: 1/8” = 1’ or 1” = 8’

Large Size Properties:1/10 Scale: 1” = 10’1/20 Scale: 1” = 20


Measure your property• Start with one dominant point to measure from (i.e. a wall corner)• Locate features that stay (walls, hardscape, trees, fences, etc.) • Alternate: use outside source (Property Description, Google Earth)


Using Graph Paper• Select grid paper to match scale• Draw in scale on grid paper• Align “0” and measure• Add Legend:

• Scale • N arrow

¼”=1’0”

Step 2:Plot Plan: Alternative

Without putting it on paper

Flag Method• Mark flags with selected

plants and size• Place flags for each plant

Step 2:Plot Plan Alternative

Without putting it on paper

Flag Method (cont’d)• Plan & measure for

mature plants• Rearrange as needed• Count to create plant list• Plant according to flags

• A watershed is the area of land where all of the water that falls in it and drains off of it goes to a common outlet.

Step 3: Evaluate Your Site: Watershed

What is a Watershed?

Photo: http://sandiegohomesforsale.com/communities/lakeside

Tecate Divide


You live in a Watershed

• San Diego has 11 westward draining watersheds

• Find your watershed: https://cfpub.epa.gov/surf/locate/index.cfm

You live in a WatershedBenefits to Using a Watershed Approach to Landscaping

• Improves environment• Protects our waters• Preserves our coast• Reduces Beach Closures

from pollution• Saves water in landscape• Saves energy used in water

transport• Water Table


Your yard is a Mini-Watershed

Map your drainage• Where does it flow from?• Where does it flow to?• Gutter Storm Drains Ocean


First FlushCan the polluted water be cleaned?

YES! Healthy soil breaks down pollutants.Can the water be utilized?

YES! It can be stored in • Soil • Rain Barrels• Cisterns

Step 3:Evaluate Your Site: Soil and Watershed

First Seasonal Flush Subsequent Storm Event

Old Town, San Diego

Step 3:Evaluate Your Site: Soil

Soil: Why Do We Care?

• Soil can cleanse water• Soil can store water • Soil influences everything related to water

• Infiltration• Holding capacity • Movement • Irrigation scheduling

• Mineral

• Organic

• Pore Space


Soil TextureParticle

TypeWater

Movement (Drainage)

Water Holding

Nutrient Holding

Sand Fast No No

Silt Medium Medium Medium

Clay Slow Yes, once wet

Rich!

LoamMixture of all particle types

Medium Yes Yes



Determining Soil Texture• Soil Sampling: Dig a hole

• Remove mulch or surface matter• Dig down 12” x 12” x12”• Take sample from side of hole at least 6” down


Determining Soil Texture• “Thein Feel Test”

• Wet the soil sample to playdough consistency

• Make a ball and poke it:• Does it fall apart?• Does it hold together?

• Squeeze a ribbon:• Less than 1 inch?• Between 1 inch and 2 inches?• More than 2 inches?

• Wet it excessively and feel it:• Is it slippery?• Is it gritty?


• Mineral

• Organic

• Pore Space

Sustainable Soil

• Soil Food Web• Organisms build soil• Encourage them with

proper organic matter, moisture, oxygen, etc.


Soil Food WebBacteria

Weeds

Nematodes

Fungi

Worms

Plants


• Mineral

• Organic

• Pore Space


Soil Aggregation• Created by bacteria, fungi and humic acid from organic matter• Allows water

• Infiltration / percolation• storage


Water moves easily through soil with good structure

Soil Aggregation• Creates soil pores which contain

OWL:OxyenWaterLife

• Purifies runoff water• Creates water holding

capacity

Water Uptake by Plant Roots



Organic Matter• Reverses compaction• Improves root penetration• Improves plant success

Remediating Compaction

• Add organic matter • Build the health of the soil food web• By the way … ADD ORGANIC MATTER!

• IN the ground: Compost for Soil Amendment when planting

• ON the ground: Mulch after planting


Compost Soil Amendment MulchIN ground ON ground

Soil Amendment

• Use compost when planting• Small particles,

usually less than ¼”• Mix compost with backfill soil

• 30% most plants• 15% natives in disturbed soil

• Available in bags or bulk

Amending Soil with Compost


Mulch • Blanket over soil surface • Continues to feed the soil as it breaks down• Adds organic matter in areas already planted• Prevents

• Erosion • Evaporation• Weeds• Compaction


Mulch Types• Longevity: Wood chips or Bark• Soil Building: chipped tree trimmings or coarse compost

• Varied particle sized• Texture

• Water passes through• Holds in place on slopes and in wind

Brush or Composted Mulch Chipped Mulch Blended Mulch


Products at Miramar Greenery: Soil Building


Material Type Description Price/Cubic Yard (incl. tax & loading)

City Resident Self-Loading Composted 4" Mulch

Up to 2 cubic yard FREE

1/2" Compost 10 week processing of yard waste and food waste, screened to 1/2"

$12

4" Mulch 2 week processing of yard waste only $ 52" Mulch - Preferred Mulch 2 week processing of brush and branches

(no curbside material)$12

Coarse Chips (2" Compost Overs)(some plastic contamination)

10 week processing of yard waste & food waste,screen to 1/2" - 2"

$ 5

Natural Wood ChipsFine for Paths

Logs ground to 2" - 4" and screened to remove fines $24

Natural 1/2" Fines Logs ground and screened to 1/2" $24

Plain Wood ChipsFine for Paths

Dimensional lumber ground to 2" - 4" $24

Colored Wood Chips: red & brown

Dimensional lumber ground to 2" - 4" and colored with non-toxic dye

$34

Abcdefg Do not use for sheet mulchingRecommended

Mulch Application:• After planting, lay 4” layer on top of soil• Leave open space around plant stem or crown • Add additional mulch when areas are thin• Rule of thumb:

• 1 1/4 CY covers about 100 sq. ft. at 4” depth

Brush Mulch / Chipped Mulch


No Weed Cloth• Reduces movement of organics• OK under Rock or gravel


Do NOT use weed cloth

How does your soil handle water?• Organic matter remediates compaction• Percolation and infiltration effected by

• Soil texture• Soil aggregation• Layers of compaction or rock



Soil Drainage and Percolation Test (Homeowner’s Guide)

Day 11. Dig one cubic foot hole (12”x12”x12”)2. Fill the hole with water to saturate the soil 3. Let drain overnight

Day 21. Lay a stick over the hole2. Refill the hole with water to the

level of the stick3. Wait one hour4. Measure how far the water level has

dropped to determine the infiltration rate per hour

Note: Use the soil from the hole to do a worm count & test the texture of your soil

Soil Drainage Field Percolation Test Inches per Hr. Drainage Solutions

Less than 1” Add organics Create moundsSelect tolerant plants

1”- 3”

More than 3”Add organicsCreate moundsSelect tolerant plants


Back to the First Flush


Old Town, San Diego

Step 3: Evaluate Your Site: Watershed and Soil

Sustainable Soil

Soil organics

Soil aggregation

Percolation

Water storage

Stormwater management


WaterSmart Sustainable Landscapes Program (SLP) Incentive:

• $1.75 per SF of turf removed (Taxable Income)• Must have stormwater retention for 1” rain:

Minimum 400 SF of collection area and 33 CF retention area• Between 500 – 3,000 SF of turf removed• Plant coverage of 50% at maturity• Front / Side / Rear are all eligible• Accepted to SLP Incentive only once: Do all areas together • Do NOT remove your turf (dead or alive) before you are accepted

into the program! • Info:

http://sustainablelandscapessd.org/incentives/



• Taking this class fulfills the education requirement.Code to bypass the SLP Quiz is DFH-2016.

• Info: http://sustainablelandscapessd.org/incentives/



• Application Spreadsheets:

SLP Incentive First Flush Capture: Non-permeable• Roofs, Concrete,

Asphalt, Grouted Pavers

Semi-permeable• DG, Cobble, Gravel,

Compacted Soil

Permeable• Landscape areas,

Amended or Mulched Soils


non-permeable

semi-permeable

permeable

SLP Incentive First Flush Capture What is 1” of storm water?

1,000 SF roof has • 620 gallons• 83 Cubic Feet

Detention Area of 86 CF:• Basin 12’ x 24’ x 4” deep

620 gallons

per 1,000 SF1” Rainfall


SLP Incentive Minimum

400 SF (minimum) roof : • 1” of storm water• 248 gallons• 33 CF

Solutions:• Rain barrels:

5 @ 55 gal. ea.• Basin:

10’ x 12’ x 4”• Swale / Dry Stream:

13’ x 2’ 6” x 1’ deep (average)

248gallons

per 400 SF1” Rainfall


First Flush Techniques: Keep water on siteSlow-Store-Spread-Sink

• Slow down the speed of the flow• Store in basins• Spread over wider area• Sink into healthy soil


First Flush Techniques: Pitfalls & Problems

Setbacks for infiltration areas at least:• 5’ from foundations• 10’ from other buildings • 3’ from hardscape

Concerns:• Expansive clay soil• Poor percolation


Rain barrel connected to roof drain

Slopes & Hillsides Cross Section:


Basin Cross Section:Basin 14’ long x 12’ wide x 4” deep holds 50 CF


Swale or Dry Stream Cross Section:Swale: 30’ long x 3.5’ wide x “V” cross section: 1’ deep in center holds 50 CF


“Flat-U” Cross Section Use average width and depth to determine holding area

First Flush Techniques:

Dry Stream

Infiltration Trench



First Flush Techniques:

Cisterns

Dry Well



First Flush Techniques: Rain Barrels

• Sustainable Landscape Program Incentive allows rain barrel retention only if project turf area is l,000 SF or less

• Do NOT use First Flush diverter • Plan for overflow to protect foundation • Check WaterSmartSD.Org for current

rain barrel & cistern incentives• First Flush from 1,000 SF roof, 1.0” rain

event is 83 CF:• Requires eleven 55 Gal. rain barrels



LID= Low Impact Development = Retain Storm water1. Evaluate your mini-watershed

Use Google Earth to see your roof lines


2. Make notes on your LID Base Plan (L-2)Show water flow direction, gutters, downspouts, slopes, puddles, & ridgelines


3. Define your stormwater collection areaBreak the area into geometric shapes


4. Determine the SF of your collection areaFind the measurements & SF of the collection area

• Measure in scale from LID Plan• Estimate from SF on LID Plan• Google Earth measurement system


Also: daftlogic.com/projects-google-maps-area-calculator-tool.htm

4. Determine the SF of your collection area• Enter measurements in First Flush Volume Calculator spreadsheet• Find the SF of each area• Add all areas for total SF


5. How much water can you capture?• Apply your SF to the First Flush Volume Calculator to determine the

CF of storm water


Volume

6. Draw suggested setback lines for infiltration areas:• 5’ from foundations and property lines• 3’ from impermeable surfaces such as sidewalks and drives• No more than 12” below finish grade


7. Use the spreadsheet to determine the required Detention Area• Be sure that the Infiltration / Detention Area is at least equal to the CF of stormwater

collected (cell turns from blue to green)


First Flush Technique used: Basin: 16’ x 9’ x 4” deepRetains: 43 CF of storm water

Step 3:Evaluate Your Site: Observations

Site Observations• Starting point of a successful design• Take photos• Assess existing situation

1. Stormwater / LID Conditions2. Structural Conditions3. Design Considerations4. HOA requirements5. Growing Conditions

Landscape design and other design areas

• Similarities:• Same basic elements & principles

• Differences:• Three-dimensional • Living• Seasonal & ever changing

Step 4: Design Your WaterSmart Landscape

Step 4: Design

http://komcakehier.weebly.com/birthday-cakes.html

Aesthetics: BalanceSymmetrical Balance

both sides even or visually identical - a mirror image. Formal.

Asymmetrical Balance different-sized elements balance one another by having equal visual weight. Informal.

SYMMETRICAL BALANCE

ASYMMETRICAL BALANCE

Step 4: Design: Background Concepts

Aesthetics: Proportion

• Relative size of objects within the composition:Large tree can make a house appear smaller

• Most SoCal homes areout of scale to their lots

• Plantings may grow out of scale


Aesthetics: ColorMost powerful of art elementsEstablish harmony

• Soothing: low contrast, monochromatic, cool• Energizing: contrast, complimentary, warm

SECONDARY COLORSPRIMARY COLORS TERTIARY COLORS


Aesthetics: ColorSimple Color Harmony


Aesthetics: Contrast• Provides interest and impact• Creates Focal Points and catches the eye• Contrast plant textures, values, and colors


Aesthetics: Unity• Provides cohesive calm• Repeat plant selections throughout the plan

including both sides of driveway


Curb Appeal: Billboard Effect• Groups or drifts of plants catch the moving eye • High contrast• Simple


Curb Appeal: Path to the door

• Direct line of sight or visual cues

• Generous path welcomes guests

• No over grown areas


Plant Functions in Design:Climate Mitigation

• Tradeoffs:• Deciduous / Evergreen• View vs. Temperature


Euphorbia cotinifolia Caribbean Copper Plant

Plant Functions in Design: Security• Thorns as a

deterrent


Plant Functions in Design: Privacy

• Screen ugly views or create privacy• Pick a cultivar that doesn’t need frequent pruning


Podocarpus macrophyllus maki Shubby Yew

Pittosporum tenufolium ‘Silver Sheen’

Explore Design as 2 parts:

• Shaping Spaces• How will you use the space?

• space arrangement, location of major elements• Design in 3D• Form follows Function

• Planting design• How the space is filled with plants for effective

design

Step 4: Design: Functional Design

How will you use your space?Is your space an Outdoor Room, a Passageway, or a Garden?


Outdoor Rooms• Walls

• Do NOT need to be solid to create sense of enclosure

• Floor • Flagstone, DG, mulch

or groundcover

• Ceilings • can be canopies or arbors


Passageway• Way-finding or easy to follow• Open path for curb appeal • “Peek-a-view” for mystery


View Garden• Enjoy from a distance• Treat as a canvas• Include paths for maintenance & strolling


View GardenBorrowed Views


View GardenCreated Views

• Use an accent feature to create a focal point


Design in 3DCreate vertical dimension with

• Layered planting

Background: 6’+

Middleground: 4’+/-

Foreground: 0-12”

for islands


Form Follows Function• How will the space be used?• What activities will occur there?

• Active Uses: cooking, eating, entertaining, sports, play, pool, pets, food

• Passive Uses: resting, meditation, viewing

• Does the current layout “work” or does it need to change to be more functional?

• Lose the bed lines! • Don’t think of your planting bed as a separate area … plan

the entire space!


Form Follows FunctionGet started: Functional Spaces & Hardscape

Create a Functional Bubble Plan • Think

• How the space could be used, NOT how it IS used.

• Will it be an outdoor room, garden or pathway?

• Do you want add • Seating areas? • Pathways through

planting “islands”?• Meander through your

yard/slope with a circular route?


Think outside the box!


Create a Functional Bubble Plan • Think: How the space could be used, NOT how it IS used.



Is it an Outdoor Room?



An Outdoor Room with a dry stream bed?



Is it a Passageway?



Is it a Garden?



Create a Planting Area Bubble Plan• Show basic planting areas• Locate planting heights of

• High• Medium • Low

Design Hardscape• Check hardscape in place and

correct• Add desired elements


Creating Your Plant Palette

• How to Choose?• What do you like?• Climate appropriate?• Place appropriate?• Does it fill a design function?

Step 4:Design: Plant Selection

Climate Appropriate PlantsLeaves are


Leathery Small

Silvery Solar tracking

Climate Appropriate:Where to get plant suggestions?WaterSmart Plant Palettes: Homeowner’s Guide and Online

• Mediterranean• Asian• Tropical• Contemporary• Native• Shade• Groundcover options


Where to get plant suggestions?

WaterSmart Plant PalettesMediterranean

CC BY 2.0, Karen Roe


Lavender Rosemary

Olives


WaterSmart Plant PalettesLow Water Asian


Iris douglasiana Dietes African Iris Nandina

Juniperus Juniper


WaterSmart Plant PalettesLow Water Tropical


Lantana Alstroemeria

Strelitzia Bird of ParadiseEuphorbia milii Crown of Thorns

Bromeliads

Plumeria

Bougainvillea Geraniums Bird of Paradise


WaterSmart Plant PalettesLow Water Contemporary


Anigozanthos Kangaroo PawAssorted Succulents

Fire Sticks Kalanchoe thyrisifolia Agave Attenuata


WaterSmart Plant PalettesCalifornia Natives


Heteromeles arbutifoliaToyon

Romneya coulteriMatilija Poppy

EpilobiumCalifornia Fushia

Saliva clevelandiiCleveland Sage

A note about Natives …

WaterSmart Plant PalettesCalifornia Natives

• Adapted for our climate, soils• Provide habitat and attract wildlife

Native plants need:• Little or no summer water• Little or no fertilizer • No pesticides• Less maintenance

Some native plants are summer deciduous



WaterSmart Plant PalettesShade Plants for Dry Areas


Bromeliads Clivia Dianella variegata Schefflera arboricola variegata

Walkable Groundcover Options:Dymondia margaretae (Silver Carpet)

Lippia nodiflora (Kurapia)


Flat Green Groundcover Options:Fragaria chiloensis (Beach Strawberry)

Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)


Mature Size PlantResearch the “Finished Size”

Agave americana marginata


Mature Size PlantPick the right size cultivar for the right place


Carissa macrocarpa / Natal PlumSpecies ‘Boxwood Beauty’ ‘Green Carpet’

8’ x 8’ 2’ x 2’ 1’ – 1 ½’ x 4’

Step 4:Design Your WaterSmart Landscape

Growing ConditionsExposure

• Soil type• Drainage

Full ShadeFull Sun

Water RequirementsWater Use Coefficient of Landscape SpeciesWUCOLSSouth CoastalSouth Inland

Plant Search:http://ucanr.edu/sites/WUCOLS/Plant_Search_Instructions/

Escondido, Rancho Bernardo, San Marcos, Poway, Lakeside , Ramona

San Diego, Chula Vista, Del Mar, La Jolla, Carlsbad, Oceanside, Vista, El Cajon


Hydrozoning• Group plants with like water needs together,

according to irrigation zone• Do not put water needy plants next to low-water

plants • Research:

• Water Use Classification of Landscape Species (WUCOLS) rating

• Plant palettes• Sunset Western


Plant Research: How do I get to know this plant?

WaterSmart Plant Palettes



• Spreadsheets: Plant Coverage Worksheet• Must have 50% plant coverage at maturity• Moderate water plants less than 30%


Plant Research: How do I get to know this plant?

Sunset Western Garden Book

Specific Plant Info• Water usage• Mature Size• Cultivars• Growing conditions



Find Your Sunset Western ZoneZone 24

• Mild maritime climate, mild winters, cool summers, rarely freezes

Zone 23• Warmer than Zone 24,

usually frost-freeZone 21

• A mix of maritime & continental influence, colder in winter

http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/sunset-climate-zone-san-diego-area-00418000067314/

Explore Design as 2 parts:

Physical site design• How the space is arranged,

location of major elements

Planting design and placement

• How the space is filled with plants for effective design

Step 4: Design: Planting Design & Placement

Putting It Together: Size your plants• Draw at Mature Size to match Bubble Diagram• Avoid overplanting• Allow room to grow• Understand you may

need to edit and thin later


Drawing Plants in Scale• Pencil in the plants for your space:• At 1/4” scale = 1’- 0”

• 3’ diameter shrub drawn as 3/4” diameter circle

• 12’ canopy tree drawnas 3” diameter circle


Drawing Plants in Scale• Determine the mature size of the plant• Use the mature size• Find appropriate circle

on template

• Example: • Bush is 3’ at maturity• In 1/4 scale, use 3/4”

diameter circle


Drawing Plants in Scale


Anatomy of an Irrigation System

Step 4: Design: Irrigation


Pressure Test• Use meter on last head on valve

• Range should be between 25 psi and 40 psi

Sprays: Low Pressure


Donuts formed by poor coverage

Sprays: High Pressure


Misting


Pressure Regulation

At the point of connection (POC) At the head At the valve


Overhead or Drip?

Choose Overhead Spray for:• Large areas of turf replacement ground cover

(i.e. dymondia, Beach Strawberry, etc.)• The existing overhead system has good existing

coverage

Choose Drip for:• Small, oddly shaped planting areas• Mixing of plants with differing water requirements in

the same valve area


Advantages of Efficient Overhead Spray

• Simple to retrofit existing spray hardware • Can match precipitation rate of drip• Simpler to troubleshoot than drip• May provide better coverage for groundcover


Advantages of Drip Systems

• Drip is the most efficient irrigation delivery type

• Reduces weed growth by targeted water application

• Prevents runoff and erosion

• Low precipitation rate

• No trenching means less digging

• Emitters provide consistent water application


Filters

At the headAt the valve


Drip Retrofit Systems• Replace existing pop-ups with

retrofit such as Rainbird R-1800

• Use subsurface tubing with emitter valves, not micro spray and 1/4”spaghetti lines

• Cover with mulch


Advantages of In-Line Drip Emitters

• Provide consistent precipitation rate throughout line

• Less prone to clogging and damage than micro spray

• Easy to install


In-line Drip lines


Irrigation Plan• Create an irrigation plan based on your completed planting

plan and hydrozones.• Select a category of irrigation (rotor, drip, etc…)• Prepare a materials list and fill in spaces on your legend

(components and quantity).


What is a Controller Program?

• A set of instructions stored in the controller

• Different irrigation schedules• Irrigation days – how often?• Start times – at what time?• Water times – how long?

How much water does your landscape need?

…. It depends.


• Soil Texture• Precipitation Rate• Plant Demand

Irrigation Scheduling: InternetBeWaterWise.com


Turf Removal with Sheet Mulching

1. Prepare the site2. Edging, mounding & contouring3. Ensure irrigation of trees and plants4. Plant large plants5. Apply weed barrier6. Layer compost and mulch

Step 5: Implementation: Turf Removal & Sheet Mulching

1. Prepare the site• Call 811 first!

• Hardscape prep:• Layout areas which will become paths and patios. • These areas will NOT require mulching and will need to

be excavated. • Lay irrigation lines beneath areas before completing

hardscape. • Remove woody or invasive plants (warm season turf)• Flag sprinkler heads• Soak the area with water


2. Edging, Mounding & Contouring• Make room for the mulch: Cut lawn 12 inches away from

concrete to 3” below concrete level.


2. Edging, Mounding & Contouring

• Create mounds with removed sod by facing turf side down or discard removed sod

• Contour as needed

Manual “Grubbing”

Gas Powered Sod Cutter


3. Ensure Irrigation of Trees and Large plants

• Add bubblers or drip irrigation if needed

In-line drip irrigation can be expanded as tree growsBubbler HeadDrip Irrigation

Step 5: Implementation: Turf Removal

3. Ensure Irrigation of Trees and Large plants

• Add bubblers or drip irrigation if needed

In-line drip irrigation


4. Plant Large Plants

• 5 gallon and larger• Hole

• As deep as pot, 2 x wide as pot• Rough sides• Fill with water before planting

• Plant crown above soil level• Loosen roots

• Amend Back Fill Soil• Add 30% compost to soil removed

from hole (3 scoops compost : 7 scoops soil)

• Natives: If soil is disturbed, add15% compost to soil removed from hole.

• Use mixture to backfill planting hole.


5. Layers

• Cardboard:• Costco, Best Buy• http://www.papermart.com/regular-b-flute-corrugated-paper-rolls/id=4609#4609

• Rule of thumb for coverage:1 Cu. Yd. covers 100 SF @ 3” depth


(1.3”)

(3”)

Water

Water

Water

Water

Water

Weed barrier around large plants• NOT weed cloth (optional under rock or DG)• Newspaper / painter’s paper• Cardboard (warm season turf)• Overlap by 6-8 inches• Cover all ground except where there are plants

Paper & Cardboard Weed Barrier

Do NOT use weed cloth


Watering• Water between layers• Be sure to continue watering

existing trees while mulching


Notify your neighbors first!Sheet Mulching


Cover compost, newspaper and cardboard layers with 3” of SOIL BUILDING mulch, not wood chips

Sheet Mulching


Hardscape and Sheet MulchingRemove turf, don’t Sheet Mulch underneathHardscape requires soil compaction beneath

Step 5: Implementation: Hardscape

7. Planting Fast Method

• Steps: • Install hardscape • Contour landscape for stormwater detention• Place rocks• Plant large plants • Sheet mulch between and around plants• Or Sheet mulch entire area, then pull back mulch, cut hole in

cardboard, plant and replace mulch

• Rooting Groundcovers:• Remove turf completely, work in compost, and then plant

groundcover with mulch around it• Plants require contact with soil, not just mulch


7. Planting Traditional Method

• Steps: • Install hardscape• Wait until Sheet Mulching has completed breakdown of sod and

cardboard before planting, taking 6+ months • Contour landscape for stormwater retention• Place rocks• Plant

• Rooting Groundcovers:• Let sheet mulching complete the process or remove turf

completely, work in compost, and then plant groundcover • Plants require contact with soil, not just mulch


Know your Turf Type to Remove EffectivelyTurf Type Dormant

SeasonActive

SeasonGrowth

formSeeds Common

TypesKill

Method

Cool Season

Winter Summer Small tuffs

Dwarf Tall Fescue (common locally), Perennial Ryegrass, Annual Ryegrass, Blue Grass

Sheet Mulch

Warm Season

Winter Summer Creeping Stolons

Bermuda grass, Zoysiagrass, St. Augustine Grass, Kikuyu grass

Solarization orChemicalFollowed by Sheet Mulching


Warm Season Turf Issues:

• Very resilient • May break through: watch for regrowth and remove• Requires additional pre-treatment


Warm Season Turf Pre- Treatment Methods:• Complete Sod Removal

• Sod goes to landfill, cannot recycleOr• Solarization

• Only with heat & sun• 8-12 weeks

Or• Non-toxic herbicides

• Multiple applications while growing

Follow with Sheet Mulching


Step 5: Implementation: Sequence

Do it yourself or Professional Contractor What is right for you?• Tradeoff: Cost vs. Labor & Time• Option: Be the General Contractor yourself

Installation or Repair:• California Landscape Contractors Association (CLCA)

http://www.clcasandiego.org• Certified Irrigation Professional www.Irrigation.org • Contractors State License Board (CSLB)

http://www.cslb.ca.gov/Consumers/• YouTube Instructional Videos

Step 6: Maintenance: Irrigation

Irrigation Maintenance

• Adjust run time for season:• 1. Winter• 2. Fall & Spring• 3. Summer

• Check for leaks and fix leaks promptly• Flush drip systems and check filters to

reduce clogging• Adjust sprayheads to prevent

overspray on hardscape

Step 6: Maintenance: Plants

Plant Maintenance

• Amend soil with compost and mulch regularly • Remove weeds • Monitor plant health • Minimize the use of

non- organic chemicals• Start with a hard spray

of water• Use insecticidal soap

or other non-toxic pest killer

QUESTIONS?

Apply for the WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series:

http://landscapemakeover.watersmartsd.org/ Presentation Slides at:http://www.watersmartsd.org/programs/watersmart-landscape-design-homeowners-workshop

WaterSmart Landscape DESIGN FOR HOMEOWNERS · Soil Drainage and Percolation Test (Homeowner’s...

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