I know that I have been blogging about saving water ad nauseum, but the threatened water restrictions are almost here. I met with the water conservation team at the DWP last week and they informed me that the Mayor's recommendations to go to two day a week water - going directly to phase three of the city water restriction plan - will be voted on by the council in the weeks to come. The anticipated date, is April 8. 

I had been trying to recommend a water reduction plan - trying to get everyone to cut water by 20% - rather than a flat two day a week restriction.I plan on going to the city council meeting to try and pursuade them to change their minds, but I am not sure it will do much good.

What can you do when this goes into effect? Keep your lawn longer - it will help to keep moisture in. Use a mulching lawn mower that will keep the cuttings on the lawn  - again keeping moisture in. Use mulch in beds and for very sensitive plants to heat you may be able to relocate them to better spots where they get less direct sun.

Mulch your beds too. It may be time to donate plants to friends and family that live in cooler areas if you live in the San Fernando Valley. 

Grouping plants together and creating a well around them to retain water will also help. Amending your soil will help as well.

I am going to continue to update this blog - but here is a list of some plants that will not do well in two day a week watering:

Hydrangeas, azaleas, four inch bedding plants, japanese maples, redwood trees, most ferns - just to name a few.

Call your council person and voice your concern - we want to save water but this is not the most effective way to do it. 

 

Anne

 

 

 

Our vertical wall was in the print version of the Los Angeles Times today. Here are details on the classes: they will be held at 6201 Orion Ave Van Nuys 91411. They will be held on
April 4 and 18 at 11 and 12:30pm. You can email us at gogreengardeners@aol.com or 818-755-4647.

Our living wall is featured in the online edition of the Los Angeles Times today. Here is the link and our photos start on page five http://www.latimes.com/features/home/la-hm-0321-plantwall-pg,0,537105.photogallery?1.

Anne Phillips

Go Green Gardeners

If you have been reading this blog, it will come as no surprise to you that the governor has announced a water emergency. He is urging all Californians to cut water use by 20%. As you know we deal with water reduction in the landscape and have been asking folks to cut down their water use by 20% just by regulating their sprinkler timers, adjusting their sprinklers and watering only the minimum needed for their particular landscape.

We will be having an irrigation class on Sunday March 8 from 1-2 pm in Studio City to show you how you can save water. The cost is $25. 

As always you can contact us and we can come out to take a look at your specific watering needs and give you a detailed proposal for how you can cut down on your water usage.

Their are lots of rebates now so take advantage of them.

It looks like water rationing may be right around the corner so it is best to get ahead of the curve.

 

Sprinkler setting this week - no more than 3 times this week and if it rains on Wednesday as they are saying, turn the sprinklers off!