NEW!! Santa Clara Valley Sustainable Landscape Guidelines

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Hot off the press, just in time for fall planting season, Valley Water is proud to publish its Sustainable Landscape Guidelines: A Watershed Approach to Landscaping. This free 47-page guide showcases water-wise plants, landscape design tips, garden how-tos, and other resources specific to our valley.

This book has so much great landscaping information for you, such as:

  • How to design your sustainable landscape

  • How to water wisely

  • How to take care of your soil, including mulching and compost

  • How to select the right plant for your garden

  • How to maintain your beautiful landscape

  • And so much more!

You can download it for free here to help you plan your next garden project, including lawn conversion and rainwater capture projects that may qualify for Valley Water’s Landscape Rebate Program!

August 9, 2022 update!

This publication is now available electronically in English, Spanish, and Chinese and the English version is available in print from Valley Water’s free online shopping cart!

An excerpt from the landscape design section of the Guide.

An excerpt from the landscape design section of the Guide.

What time of year should I plant?

This is a good question, and the answer is usually "It depends on what you're planting."  But there are some pretty good general rules of (green) thumb to follow:

In general, early fall is considered a good planting time for most (but not all) plants since the soil is still fairly warm (to promote root growth), the air temperature is cooling down, the days are shorter, and the angle of the sun is lower in the sky.  Plants have a chance to develop stronger roots and to get established without having to transpire much.  Planting in fall also reduces the amount of supplemental irrigation a plant needs (due to the lower air temperatures, shorter days, and angle of the sun) so this is good for water conservation. 

Plants that are frost sensitive (citrus, avocados, bougainvillea, fuchsias and succulents) might do better if planted in the spring after the last frost date has passed.  

Most California natives and Mediterranean plants will do just fine if planted in the summer, but it means that they will need to be watered more frequently.  Even if natives are planted in the fall, they will still probably need some supplemental irrigation through their first or second summer.  

Happy Gardening!!

 

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Water-Wise Yards - Your Link to Rebates and Designs

Interested in replacing your lawn with something that's pretty and uses less water?  We have you covered!!

Rebates are available and you may qualify!  The Santa Clara Valley Water District now has rebates to take out your lawn and replace it with qualifying water-wise landscape.  Be sure to contact them before you start your project.

We have beautiful, ready-made landscape designs here!  Choose from a variety of designs, such as a Small, Sunny Yard, or a Children's Garden, or a Large Slightly Shady Yard.  There are so many choose from - pick one that's right for you!  Happy Gardening!

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