The Do’s of Water Conservation in your Landscape

Southern California Drought

It’s always been wise to conserve water, but today in California, conservation is more than just a good idea — it’s essential. California’s main water sources have been severely impacted by record dry conditions. We are already using our reserves to supply our everyday water.  Our water situation is serious. California needs to stretch our water supplies to insure that there is enough water to serve everyone who needs it. About three to five years of normal or above normal rainfall would be needed in order to catch up from today’s drought. About seventy percent of people’s water is used outdoors to water their landscapes, which is why the best place to make significant reductions in water use is outdoors.

Wasted Water

Wasted water without a doubt is a huge drain on our natural resources as well as our pocketbooks. Beyond the waste of water, problems of premature plant death, waterlogged and unstable slopes, disease, runoff, (and a host of others) plague over-watered landscapes. “Automatic” sprinklers are a thing of the past. They offer a low initial cost, which is often swallowed up in the first years of operation.

Property Owners

Property owners rarely have the manpower to properly adjust irrigation for constantly changing rainfall, temperature and humidity conditions. Companies just can’t afford all the people and time it would take. Is there really any excuse for watering during rainfall? Will any passing resident fail to notice this egregious waste of money?

Not only do we have the problems of unnecessary wastage during rainy periods, your own maintenance contractor tends to compound the problem by irrigating too frequently for too little time. Because of this, plants develop very shallow root zones. By changing to a proper irrigation schedule your plants will develop deeper roots, as well as become healthier and more disease resistant. Your everyday maintenance contractor tends to skim over the issues concerning excess water usage. By working with a specialist in landscape water conservation, you can realize a thirty to forty percent reduction in your outdoor water bill, as well as healthier plants, less runoff, and stable slope planting.

Emerging Solution

Irrigation manufacturers developed new smart irrigation technology to address the issues above and to improve irrigation efficiencies. This is an emerging technology that is becoming widely accepted and promoted. It deserves some discussion since it has great promise. Irrigation auditing and detailed schedules are complicated and expensive. For the past twenty five years or so, the emphasis has been on educating the landscape worker who interacts with the irrigation system. Because of unproductive results due to improper management of the system, trying to change behavior in regard to water use has not produced the result desired. Many people want to remove behavior from the landscape water conservation equation by implementing Weather Based Smart Controllers. This would be a good idea for every site with a landscape.

However, Smart Controllers will never be a low flush toilet, for the landscape. Too many people push too hard and fast to see the results of the new technology. Having a knowledgeable professional overseeing the Controller (quarterly monitoring) will maximize savings of irrigation water. Smart Controller technology works best with monitoring and adjustments made by humans. Such adjustments as …

1.       Improving irrigation system efficiency (leak repairs, overspray, eliminating run-off).

2.       Proper sprinkler or drip spacing.

3.       Incorporating drought tolerant plants into your landscape, and placing plants with similar needs together in the same zone, called Hydrazones.

Today’s gold standard for irrigation control is the Weather Based Smart Controller. It will frequently pay for itself within the first year of operation. That’s a safe bet, especially here in California. This technology lets you turn down the water way below the text book settings resulting in a possible thirty to forty percent water savings. Some water districts offer rebates for conversion to Weather Based Smart Controllers along with rebates for high efficiency sprinkler nozzles.

These systems use weather information and site conditions to determine how much water to apply and when to irrigate. Some Smart Controllers rely on a free subscription service to download ET values and weather data daily. Based on this information, the Smart Controller is able to calculate exactly how much water your landscape needs, and still keeping it green and healthy. By using a Smart Controller it helps prevent water waste, premature plant death, waterlogged and unstable slopes, plant disease, and runoff. Also, using less water leaves you with a lower water bill and the feeling that you are doing something good for the environment.

The Case Studies below are great examples of just how much money can be saved by switching to a Rain Bird Smart Controller….

ESP-SMT

ET Manager

ESP-LX

Indoor and Outdoor?

Yes

No (only indoor unless you purchase outdoor enclosure separately)

Yes

Hourly updated Weather Station Signal?

No (daily updated weather sensor)

Yes

Yes

Rain tipping bucket that instantly stops when raining?

Yes (included)

Sold Separately

Sold Separately

ET Calculations?

Yes

Yes

Yes

Fast and Easy Installation?

Yes (second fastest)

Yes (fastest)

Not as fast and easy as the others (takes the longest).

Water Savings?

30-70%

30-50%

30-50%

Detachable Face Plate making it easier to program while you walk around your landscape?

Yes

No

Yes

Languages Offered?

English and Spanish

English and Spanish

7 different languages

Works with existing controller?

No

Yes

No

Recommended for…

Homes

Businesses

Businesses

Maximum amount of Stations?

13

Unlimited

32

More detailed information for more accurate irrigations?

Very Detailed

Very Detailed

Very Detailed

Cost?

Cheapest

Most Expensive

Affordable

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.

   Watch our Buffalo Grass grow….

After 30 Days

After 60 days

After 90 days

Click on the link below to view our T.V. Commercial

swan-web-h264-800kbps

Alpert Residence, Alta Loma CA

Americas Best Value Inn and Suites, Ontario CA

D. Doniak Residence, Chino Hills, CA

Emilio Residence, Upland CA

Empire Offices, Ontario CA

Empire Business Center, Riverside CA

Hill Residence, Ontario CA

Marte Residence, Long Beach CA

Norco Professional Office Buildings, Norco CA

T. Nelson Residence, Chino CA

Richardson Group, Orange CA

Royal Cabinets Grand Ave, Pomona CA

SCE Mountain View Generation Station, Redlands CA

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Water of Life Church, Fontana CA

Watson Building 400, Carson CA

Blue Agave Bands Above Retention Basin

Australian Kangaroo Paw Blue Agave Bands Above Retention Basin

Swan Water Conservation

Down the Drain

By Forest Hill

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 be 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.

Wasted water. Without a doubt, it’s a huge drain on our natural resources as well as our pocketbooks. It’s a cost that California’s citizens will no longer tolerate. And yet,it’s a problem that municipalities, private property owners and managers can easily solve.

A recent Western US study concluded that our traditional system of urban irrigation maintainance is broken. Government agencies and private companies rarely have the manpower to properly adjust irrigation for constantly changing rainfall, temperature and humidity conditions. We just can’t afford all the people and time it would take: it’s not in the budget. But neither is the skyrocketing cost of water.

Beyond the waste of water, problems of premature plant death, waterlogged and unstable slopes, pests, disease, runoff, (and a host of others) plague improperly irrigated landscapes.

Is there really any excuse for watering acres of city parks during rainfall? Will any passing resident fail to notice this egregious waste of taxpayer money?

“Automatic” sprinklers are anything but automatic. They offer a low initial cost, which is often swallowed up in the first year of operation. It’s like buying a poorly built car, and then giving all your savings to the auto mechanic.

Today’s gold standard for irrigation control is theSmart Controller. It will frequently pay for itself within its first year of operation. That’s a safe bet, especially here in Southern California. This technology lets you turn down the water, way below the textbook settings.

How do Smart Contollers work?

1.      A local weather station monitors and collects information about the temperature, wind speed, humidity, rain fall, solar radiation, and more. This weather information is sent to your Smart Controller.

2.    You input the information about the plant type, soil type, slope percentage, and sun exposure.

3.    The Smart Controller puts this information together and calculates the exact amount of water your landscape needs. 

The Smart Controller will give your landscape as much water as needed in order stay green and healthy. For example, if it just rained yesterday, it knows not to water today. Or if it’s been cool and overcast all week, it will not water until needed. By using a Smart Controller it helps prevent water waste that occurs from over watering. Using less water leaves you with a lower water bill and the feeling that you are doing something good for the environment.

Swan not only can provide you with a Smart Controller but also can install it for you and help you learn how to manage it.  If you are interested in using one of these Smart Controllers for your properties, please contact us and we will set up an appointment with you free of charge.