Sustainable Landscaping Tips

1. Sustainable Landscaping Tips Chumash Creek Cleanup September 19, 2009

2. What is Sustainable Landscaping? • Using plants that are adapted to the environment you are planting them in (Natives) • CA Native Plants • Mulching / Grass-cycling • Composting • Rainwater Harvesting / Greywater

3. California Native Plants • CA Native plants are adapted to the local: • Climate / temperature • Soil type • Water availability (drought tolerant) • Pests and diseases • CA Native plants are beautiful

4. Mulching / Grass-cycling • Mulching • Reduces amount of weeds • Helps retain water moisture in soil • Creates perfect environment for beneficial bugs • Grass-cycling • Leave grass clippings on your lawn • Reduces amount of fertilizer needed • Helps retain water moisture (reduces watering need)

5. Composting – Make Fertilizer from Trash • Use food scraps and yard waste to make fertilizer • 50% “greens” • Fruit and vegetable scraps, coffee filters, bread, egg shells • No meat or dairy • 50% “browns” • Dried leaves, DEAD weeds • Paper towels, napkins, newspaper • Mix, add water, stir (once a week) • Reduces trash to the landfill by up to 50%

6. Rainwater Harvesting / Greywater • Capture rainwater from your roof • Rain barrels • Design landscape to use runoff in a beneficial manner • Re-use water from your house for landscape needs • Shower / sink • Washing machine • Car washing • All of this conserves water

7. Why Sustainable Landscaping? • Saves you money and time • Less water needed • Less pesticides and fertilizers • Less maintenance • Better for the environment • Conserves resources • Introduces less chemicals • Other benefits: • Can protect your home from fire and/or flood • Introduces wildlife to your garden • Increase vegetable/flower yields