By Debby Dunn, for Let’s Talk Plants! February 2025.
Programs and Rebates to Help Create a More Sustainable Landscape
(Editor’s note: Please welcome the newest regular columnist to our LTP! newsletter, Debby Dunn. Her regular column The Power of Water will address the many aspects of the all-important topic of water to gardeners and gardening in San Diego County.)
In the early 1960s Bob Dylan sang, “The Times They Are a-Changin.” In the mid-2020s, I’m writing (you don’t want to hear me sing…) that the “Climate is a-Changin,” and I want to focus on how we can all do our part to combat it. By making changes in our lives and landscapes, we can potentially reduce the shocking Power of Water, such as monsoons and droughts.
1. A bright and beautiful thing to do to support climate resiliency is to remove turf grass and replace the typically water thirsty, monoculture crop with a variety of drought tolerant plants that provide shade and color, and create habitat for birds, bees and butterflies.
-The turf replacement rebate is presently $3 to $6 a square foot!
-In addition, there is a $100 rebate to plant trees!
-For details or to apply, visit: www.SoCalWaterSmart.com
2. For those without grass, plant more plants! Plants that grow tall and wide, plants that bloom and invite pollinators, and plants that are meant to be here - specifically natives.
-For a list of 50 plants to choose from (in a pretty flyer format), visit https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/nifty50_6_16sm.pdf
-For a list of 100 plants to choose from (in an excel format you can sort 12 different ways), visit https://www.sdcwa.org/your-water/conservation/resources/
-For a list of San Diego plant nurseries, please visit: https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Plant-Nurseries-in-San-Diego-SDCWA-2024.pdf
3. Make sure you are giving your landscape the right amount of water. Many people underwater causing plants to be scrawny, dry and diseased. To help your plants grow and provide fruit and flowers, use a smart irrigation controller that adjusts the amount of water provided with the seasons.
-For information on the $80 rebate, visit: www.SoCalWaterSmart.com
4. Soil that is void of mulch and compost can look and act like cement. To fix tired, rundown, listless soil (don’t add I Love Lucy’s Vitameatavegamin) add mulch, more mulch and then a dash of compost. Mulch helps bring life to the soil, reduce weeds, retain water and is decorative. It’s better that a yard have just mulch than to have the fake, green, plastic stuff – another one of the things contributing to our “changin’ times”.
-For a list of places that provide mulch and compost in San Diego, visit https://www.sdcwa.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Mulch-Compost-Suppliers-SDCWA-2024.pdf
-To learn how to make your own compost and/or to purchase a compost or worm bin, visit https://solanacenter.org/our-programs/
5. Plant more trees (best time to do it was 20 years ago, but next weekend is good too). A deciduous tree planted on the south or west side of the house can provide shade in the summer and sunlight in the winter. This can reduce your energy bills. Another way to reduce energy bills is by installing solar.
-For information on solar and tree planting programs, visit https://www.sdge.com/
Share these easy tips with your friends, family and neighbors. If we all work together, we can make a big difference!
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