Ditch the Grass: How to Plan an Eco-Friendly, Water-Wise Garden

Jun 26

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June 26, 2024

Dominique Zamora, LA Waterkeeper Development & Communications Manager

Turf Replacement 101

So, you’ve already swapped your plastic utensils for bamboo ones, ditched Amazon for your local flea market, and you’re besties with your Buy Nothing group. So, what’s left for a sustainability champion like you to do? Let’s talk about your lawn.

Here’s the deal: approximately 48% of the surface area in Los Angeles is covered by impervious hardscape like asphalt and concrete, which majorly sucks for the environment. These surfaces contribute to the heat island effect (making our city hotter and our energy bills higher), and when it rains, they send polluted runoff straight into our oceans. Plus, they’re a total buzzkill for local wildlife.

And those grass lawns? They guzzle water and do nothing to help the biodiversity crisis. Water is one of our most precious resources, yet between 60-70% of potable water is used outdoors for irrigating landscaping. AND a large portion of that water never gets to its intended target and instead is lost to run-off and evaporation.

But don’t worry, we’ve got a solution. By replacing your lawn with a gorgeous, low-water, sustainable native plant garden, you can create a mini ecosystem that’s as kind to the planet as it is stunning.

In this four-part blog series, we’re going to guide you through the whole process of transforming your turf, season-by-season. From evaluating your space and designing your dream garden to getting your hands dirty and keeping your new plants happy, we’ve got you covered.

Summer: Time for Planning

With summer just around the corner, now is the perfect time to start planning your turf transformation. Planning now means your garden will be ready for planting in late fall, winter, or early spring when natural rains will help your new plants get established.

Understanding Your Current Landscape

As we get ready to replace our lawns, the first step is understanding our current landscape. Start by taking a good look at your yard and measuring the space. Grab some paper, a pencil, and a long tape measure. Map out the overall dimensions of your property, noting important features like buildings, driveways, patios, and large trees or shrubs. It’s also useful to check out your house on Google Maps' satellite view for an overhead perspective.

Mapping Water Flow

Next, it’s crucial to understand how water flows across your property. Knowing where the water comes from, how it moves, and where it tends to pool can help you design a garden that maximizes water capture and minimizes runoff. Pay close attention to your roof—measure each section and mark where the water drains. If you have downspouts, note their locations and where they lead. Draw arrows to show the direction of water flow and identify areas where water tends to collect.

Planning Your Site

With your property measured and water flow mapped out, it’s time to consider how sun and shade affect your yard. Observing these patterns helps you decide where to place different types of plants. California native plants and their Mediterranean relatives thrive with minimal irrigation and placing sun-loving plants in shade and vice versa can lead to pest issues and increased water needs. Understanding these patterns ensures that each plant is placed in an optimal location for growth and health.

Assessing Your Soil

Now, let’s talk soil. Before you start planting, it’s important to know what kind of soil you’re working with. Dig a hole about 12 inches wide and 8 inches deep in the middle of your lawn and fill it with water. Time how long it takes for the water to drain. This will tell you how well your soil drains and whether it needs any special preparation. If it drains quickly, you have well-draining soil; if it takes longer, you might have compacted soil that needs loosening.

Understanding your soil’s texture is also key. Take some moist soil and squeeze it into a ball. If it sticks together, it’s clay soil; if it falls apart, it’s sandy. You can also try to form a ribbon by squeezing the soil between your thumb and finger. If it breaks before reaching two inches, you have a good balance that isn’t too clay-heavy. If your soil is too sandy, you can remediate it by adding organic matter like compost to improve water retention and nutrient content. If it's too clay-y, you can improve it by incorporating organic matter and ensuring proper aeration to enhance drainage and root growth.

With this groundwork laid, you’re ready to start planning your beautiful, sustainable garden. There are even cash incentives available to help you make this transformation! Programs like the LADWP's turf replacement rebate can offset the cost of installing a sustainable landscape. Make sure to check what's available in your area and get approval before you break ground.

Stay tuned for Part Two, where we’ll get into details of how to design a water-wise garden that captures and makes the most of every drop of water.