Creeks Restoration and Water Quality Improvement Division
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| What We Can Do About
Over Watering | 
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Water runoff carries a host of pollutants to our storm drains, into our creeks, and out to the ocean – each one causing its own unique damage to the environment. Bacteria from pet waste can cause gastro-intestinal and other medical problems for swimmers and those who come in contact with the water as well as infect marine animals, including sea otters, which are dying as a result. When bacteria levels in ocean water at the beach get too high, beaches are closed to protect the public. Trash and excess sediment clogs storm drains and causes flooding while at the same time decreasing the amount of available oxygen in the water and causing aquatic death. Trash pollutes the ocean and, if consumed, can kill sea birds and other marine animals. Nutrients in fertilizers can be toxic to aquatic life at high levels or can result in algae blooms that also suffocate aquatic life. Over watering wastes water and costs you money. Remember, there’s never enough water to waste.
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Irrigation |
| ü Make sure that your lawn is properly irrigated. |
| ü Use a soil probe or trowel to check the moisture level. The top 2” to 3” should feel almost dry before you water. |
| ü Water slowly, watch for pools and runoff. |
| ü Aerate any spots where water is pooling, the grass looks thin, there is heavy traffic. |
| ü When you are finished watering, check the soil moisture again, if soil is not wet 4” to 6” down you should continue watering. |
| ü Waiting until the top 2” to 3” of soil is dry and then watering until the soil is wet 4” to 6” down will cause the grass roots to grow deeper which will lead to a healthier lawn. |
| ü Keep track of the time so that you know how long to water the next time.
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Prevent Water Runoff By Planning Ahead |
| ü Bare soil promotes water runoff so try to landscape as much of your property as possible. Planted areas absorb more rainwater and help percolate it into the ground. |
| ü Plant native vegetation. Natives require less water and are less likely to require chemical fertilization. |
| ü Sandy soils dry out more quickly and may need more frequent irrigation. Clay soils hold more moisture and dry out more slowly. |
| ü Reduce the amount of paved surfaces on your property. |
| ü Divert hoses and rain spouts away from paved surfaces. |
| ü Consider a rain barrel to collect rain water for watering your lawn and flower beds.
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Alternatives to Grass
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| Replace some of your lawn with an attractive alternative. The following plants require little water and will accept occasional foot traffic:
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| ü Wooly Yarrow (Achillea tomentosa) – Plant from flats or small pots, 6” apart; mow in March and July to a height of 2”. Yellow flowers. Keep soil on the dry side. |
| ü Caraway-Scented Thyme (Thymus herba-barona) – Plant all thymes from flats or small pots, 6” to 8” apart. Mowing is not necessary. Rose-pink flowers in early summer attract bees. |
| ü Creeping Thyme (Thymus praecoxarcticus) – Mow to 1½” in July and fertilize; purple flowers in summer attract bees. |
| ü Strawberry Clover (Trifolium fragiferum) – Plant from seed in fall; mow to 2” in April, June, August; white to pink flowers in summer attract bees. |
| ü Garden Chamomile (Chamaemelum nobile) combined with strawberry clover – Plant chamomile from flats or from small pots, 6” to 8” apart. Plant strawberry clover as noted above and mow both ground covers to 2” in April, June, and August.
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For more information on water conservation, click here. To purchase or learn more about native plants: |
Growing Solutions
www.growingsolutions.org
805.452.7561
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Santa Barbara Botanic Garden
www.sbbg.org
805.682.4726
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© Copyright 2003, City of Santa Barbara. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Send messages and inquiries to LSmith@SantaBarbaraCA.gov
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