'UC Verde' Buffalo Grass just planted

This residence in Redlands had an all brown/dead lawn that we removed. After a couple cycles of weed killing, and then adding soil amendements a month and a half later, we planted the ‘UC Verde’ Buffalo Grass plugs.

This picture was taken after just a few weeks of being planted. The Buffalo Grass looks green and healthy…and is growing fast!

We also repaired and relocated her existing sprinkler system, installed an UgMO Soil Moisture Sensor, and repaired her fence.

‘UC Verde’ Buffalo grass after 30 days

This picture was taken 30 days later. As you can see, these Buffalo’s grow fast!

Swan Water Conservation

Down the Drain:                                   You’d be shocked to discover the oceans of water that we waste every single day.

Water we have long taken for granted is being depleted at an alarming rate, at huge cost to the planet. Unless things change, our children will suffer for our gluttonous ways. We can no longer count on neighboring states to supply our rapidly growing thirst for water. It’s imperative that we find ways to limit our usage to an amount less than our eco-system’s natural replacement rate.

Serious change is needed. Now.

Government mandate is already in place in many areas. Beyond taking shorter showers, fixing leaky faucets and doing only full loads of laundry, the only realistic way to comply is by severely curtailing your outdoor irrigation. Will our lawns soon be going brown and our planting beds wilting?

Is it possible to cut outdoor water use by 30 to 50%, as we’ll soon be asked to do?

Yes, I believe that we can continue to enjoy our outdoor landscapes, and do so without guilt. It requires a conservation strategy, a bit of know how, and the desire to make a difference. Here’s how to start:

Timing is everything. Replace your obsolete timer with a new Smart Controller. Properly programmed, such a controller will apply only the minimum amount of water needed. They respond to weather conditions, and allow you to program irrigation cycles at the optimal time(s) during the day.

Choose plants wisely. Plant choices abound these days. Native and drought tolerant species are beautiful year ‘round and won’t guzzle water needlessly. Visit our plant selection page for some ideas on how to get started.

Get a water audit. Poorly designed and maintained irrigation systems are huge water wasters. For example, typical lawn sprinklers waste about a third of all water applied. And that’s a best case scenario. With so much as stake, it clearly pays to work with a professional. Contact Swan Drought Tolerant Technology for a basic or comprehensive water audit.

To illustrate the potential water savings, here’s an actual case study:

Swan Drought Tolerant Technology Case Study:

Total landscape area of 13,800 square feet

7,600 sq feet: drought tolerant plants and ground cover

4,900 sq feet: drought tolerant turf variety

13,000 sq feet:  new generation artificial turf

Result: 30% reduction in water usage and matching decrease in water bill.

Swan Drought Tolerant Technologies is a part of Landscape Design, Inc. a California Corporation. Ca contractor’s lic #486431. For more information, visit our contact page.

Before

This homeowner attended our Sustainable Claremont presentation at the Claremont Colleges. She called us up  asking about designing a new landscape for her front and back yards for her home in Covina. She also wanted to know about the current rebate programs for the city of Covina. We told her there was a rebate for demolishing her existing turf, and we could plant all drought tolerant plants in it’s place.

After

She had a lawn full of weeds. We conducted 2 grow-kill cycles with Round up, and layed down weed barrier to eradicate the weeds and make sure they wouldn’t come back. After that we re-planted some existing palms and some agave plants she had to new locations in her yard. We planted all drought tolerant plant varieties, succulants, and other similar plants, with bark mulch, and decomposed granite. Her yard turned out pretty nice! She is very happy with it. 

After

Side Yard

Parkway

 

Front Yard, Before

Back Yard, Before

Below are pictures of the front and backyard after we  landscaped it. We used all drought tolerant plant varieties, mulch, decomposed granite, and a few accent boulders. We also transplanted her bird of paradise trees from the front yard into the back yard….

Front Yard After

Front Yard After

Back Yard After

Back Yard After

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Toro Precision Nozzles

Delivers 1″ /hr precipitation rate which is significantly less than traditional spray nozzles. Water is applied slowly and evenly which reduces runoff. A wide selection of arcs and radii are available to choose from. Toro Precision Nozzles come in both Male and female threads, making them ideal for large scale installations and retrofits. Each Precision Series Spray nozzle creates one or more high-frequency oscillating streams to achieve the desired arc and radius.   Toro Precision Nozzles have a throw distances of 5-15 ft with 9 arcs per radii and side and corner strip sprays are also available. They help to reduce water usage and save money on your water bill. Rebates are available.

Rain Bird Rotating Nozzles

Multiple, rotating streams uniformly distribute water throughout the radius range. Rain Bird Rotating Nozzles deliver gentle, streams of water at a low rate allowing the water and nutrients to penetrate the soil. Low precipitation rate (0.60 in/hr) reduces soil erosion and runoff. Ideal for slopes and hillsides. Also a perfect solution if you experience low water pressure. Rain Bird Rotating Nozzles are  designed to operate at lower pressure while still delivering precise, even coverage. There is no misting or fogging at high pressures. Cuts back your water use and saves you money on your water bill. Rebates are available

After 6 Months

Here’s a Swan Designed showcase project that really brings together many of the water saving ideas that experts are suggesting to the public.
TREES:  We chose to use a California Live Oak. This tree was the main focus of the landscape, and really helped capture the beautiful California look that the owner was looking for. To irrigate the trees, and still be able to conserve water, we used a One Gallon per Minute Fixed Bubbler. With this Bubbler, we could closely calibrate the volume of water delivered to the size of the tree. By using this technique, the trees only need water once or twice a week. 

SHRUBS:  Though we suggested all drought tolerant plants, the owners wished to incorporate flowers into the design. Keeping this in mind, we planted some carefully selected California Native species, keeping the majority of our choices within the drought tolerant variety. To irrigate these shrubs we used a Rain Bird Subterranean Time Drip system. This time drip system allows water to be applied only around the base of the plants, thus reducing evaporation, water run off, and lack of sprinkler head efficiency. 

Remaining areas were covered with beautiful green artificial turf, and a 2 inch layer of recycled wood mulch. 

After almost a year, the project has matured into a peaceful, relaxing garden with a lovely sitting area and recycled water feature. This project is a good example of a landscape design that incorporates a variety of drought tolerant plants, making it beautiful and practical.

Swan Drought Tolerant Technology is a division of Landscape Design Inc. (Ca lic #486431)

After 18 Months

After 18 Months

The award winning landscape is all native and drought tolerant planting.

These California native plants require very little water. In fact these natives thrive in the summer. They prefer the hot, dry, summer weather. They are accustom to California’s dry dessert climate. They are perfect for anyone trying to cut back on their landscape water and lower your water bill. Not only do California Native plants require less water, but they also require less maintenance, they are pest free and are known for attracting butterflies and hummingbirds.

No cactus in this landscape. This landscape is proof that you can have a colorful landscape with lots of different flowers and textures and still be considered drought tolerant.  

The irrigation system for this landscape is all drip, and is controlled by a Rainbird ESP-SMT Weather Based Smart Controller.

We are excited to announce that Swan will be a part of a television series on PBS (KVCR-TV). PBS, along with the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens, is putting together a series of 13 episodes about California Native Plantings. The series, titled “Growing Native”, will be similar to a home make-over show, but instead of the home being the focus of the show, this time it’s the landscape. The show will demonstrate the complete re-landscaping of different homeowner’s properties, using all Drought Tolerant and California Native Plantings. Swan was chosen as the subcontractor to re-landscape these homes.

Each episode will feature a phase of the renovation project interwoven with supporting video segments on the following topics:

• Narrated visits to local gardens featuring water-conserving landscapes
• Story of water – a narrated segment on the water supply and demand
• “How To” techniques on water conservation
• “How To” techniques on native landscaping designed to instruct the viewer
• Featured plants for use by viewers with narration of cultivation and proper placement
• Visits to native plant nurseries with tips on plant selection

The viewer will have a front row seat as we design and renovate four typical front yards. The program is both entertaining and educational. Martin Hale, creator and host of the highly successful documentary series “Wild Gardens” currently airing on KVCR-TV, will co-produce and direct the series. The episode content has been carefully developed by Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Gardens in association with landscape architect, Frank Simpson, to instruct and inspire the viewer.

The re-landscaping will involve using less turf and focusing on a more water conservative landscape including California friendly plants. Drought Tolerant and California Native Plants are a must here in Southern California. Planting Drought Tolerant plants in your yard will help conserve water and cut back on your maintenance and water costs. Drought Tolerant and Native Plants are meant to withstand the California sun, tolerate the hot, dry weather and still survive with little water. Therefore, California Native and Drought Tolerant plants will last longer, thrive stronger, and still look green and healthy.

A conversion of each homeowners old fashion time clocks into the new Weather Based Irrigation Controllers will also promote low water costs and a healthy landscape as well. New, more water efficient sprinkler heads will also be installed. All irrigation systems will be supplied by Rain Bird.

PBS, along with the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Gardens, also came out to the Swan property to film an episode about our UC Verde Buffalo Grass. The Buffalo Grass is a good example of a drought tolerant turf. It is a new concept, and not many people know about it. The UC Verde Buffalo Grass requires 70-80% less water and only needs to be mowed about once a month. It is a water conservative and low maintenance turf that is perfect for Southern California.

The show airs every Monday night at 6:30 pm so don’t miss it.

For more about this Getting Native visit the website at www.gettingnative.com

Watch our Buffalo Grass grow….

Receive SwanH2o’s free Buffalo Grass Green Paper. Click here.

After 30 Days

After 60 days

After 90 days

100% filled in