Local water districts are offering rebates to homeowners that replace their grass with sustainable landscape, as many do all year, but a local water district says fall may be the perfect season to jump on the offers.
"You've got cooler temperatures, shorter days so it gives a chance for the plants that you plant in the fall to take root before the heat of summer kicks in," Michelle Curtis with the Helix Water District said.
The water district is a co-founding partner of the Water Conservation Garden in El Cajon, a five-acre lot designed to show visitors what they can do to save water.
"You see a lot of front yards that people never actually step foot in," Curtis said. "If you have a need for grass, just consider how much you need. You might be able to make it a smaller patch."
One demonstration area shows a typical California backyard, which requires 28-thousand gallons of water each year. An adjacent area showcases a landscape filled with colorful, drought tolerant plants, which needs six-thousand gallons of water each year.
In a typical California home, 75 percent of the water used goes to watering the yard, Curtis said.
Curtis offered tips to homeowners considering taking advantage of rebates, which include turf replacement, high-efficiency sprinkler upgrades, and rain barrel purchases, and making the switch to more drought-tolerant landscaping this fall.
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Homeowners "can also take advantage of any rainfall we get in fall and winter and that gives (the plants) that much more of a head start before the heat comes," she said.
Another way to save water is with rain barrels, which attach to gutters on the roof.
"It also helps reduce stormwater pollution because the more water you can retain on site, the less water is going out into the stormwater system," added Curtis.
If you do decide to put drought-friendly plants in your yard, remember to install high-efficiency irrigation as well, Curtis explained. Smart controllers can adjust water output automatically in response to weather conditions. Distribution components can also be tailored to fit the needs of various plants in a landscape.
"No matter how low-water your plants are, if you're still watering them with traditional overhead sprinklers, you're losing water to evaporation, you've got water running off into your sidewalks and hitting your fences, you're not going to see the water savings," said Curtis.
The Helix Water District is offering a water-smart landscape makeover workshop for homeowners on November 7.
Homeowners should check eligibility and apply for any of the regional rebate programs online. Individual water districts may also have additional incentives.
