Mayor Sanders let's his yellow mellow

Breaking news - "Mayor Jerry Sanders admits he hasn't been flushing the toilet as much at home."

The article in the Voice of San Diego by Rob Davis, Sanders turns into Mr. Water,  highlights some of the Mayor's efforts to conserve water -  including his flushing habits.

Well, the good news is he is talking about water conservation in our gardens...The bad news is that  I think he may be latching onto the "easy" methods of conservation in order to paint himself as "Mr. Water". He still opposes the use of recycled water and steers clear of controversial water conservation. So let's not praise him across all fronts...

But let's keep it positive and thank him for mentioning water conservation in our gardens! 

If it's brown flush it down!

California Friendly Landscaping

The City of San Diego offers a residential low water use gardening class. 10 am. to 2 p.m. March 1; Rancho Bernardo Library, 17110 Bernardo Center Drive. Free. Registration: Maureen Hall at (619) 533-4136

Another reason to convert your garden!

Water rates are going up up and away...Ok maybe that is a slight exaggeration but read the linked article below. The Metropolitan Water District in Los Angeles (supplies San Diego with some of its H2O) is about to approve a 14% rate hike. A typical household could pay $1.50 more a month! And water rates will "continue to go up for the next several years."

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/02/19/news/top_stories/1_01_502_18_08.txt

The Water Conservation Garden at Cuyamaca College

Check out the website for the water conservation garden at Cuyamaca College. I added the site to the links section on the right....The website has good information including some events that are coming up:

Feb 23 Water wise gardening: Mulch, Compost, Fertilizer

Mar 1 Exploring California Friendly Plants and Sustainability

Mar 15 California Friendly Plant Sale

For more events check out the website.... Cuyamaca College Garden

Water Authority urges region to turn off landscape irrigation systems

Wet weather eliminates need to water in many parts of the county

The San Diego County Water Authority is urging residents and businesses to help the region conserve water by turning off their outdoor watering systems and keeping them off. Water Authority officials say residents and businesses that received measureable amounts of rain from today’s unexpected storm may be able to keep their landscape watering systems off for several days to a week, especially if cooler temperatures prevail.

Areas of the county that only received small amounts of rain can still help the region conserve water by not running irrigation systems until it is absolutely necessary. To determine when it is necessary to turn water systems on, the Water Authority recommends monitoring soil moisture. Check the top inch of soil. If it still is moist, it contains enough water to supply the plants.

Despite storm activity so far this winter, the region’s water supplies remain impacted by extremely dry conditions around California over the last year that significantly reduced storage in key reservoirs, as well as by an eight-year drought in the Colorado River basin. In addition, court-ordered pumping restrictions on the State Water Project are now in effect. Water officials expect these restrictions to reduce water deliveries from Northern California through 2008 and potentially beyond.

For more water conservation tips, incentives and programs, visit www.20gallonchallenge.com. To help estimate the right amount of water to give landscapes or gardens anywhere in the region, use the City of San Diego’s Landscape Watering Calculator at www.sandiego.gov/water/conservation

Landscape Design for a Southern California Garden

Quail Botanical Gardens will offer the course on "Landscape Design for a Southern California Garden" from 7 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28, March 6 and March 13, and from 9 a.m. to noon March 15 at the gardens, 230 Quail Gardens Drive. Class participants will learn how to create water-wise landscapes appropriate for Southern California from the experts. Award-winning, landscape architect Kay Stewart will demonstrate how regional native plants can bring spirit and vitality to low-water gardens; the second class will feature a lecture on sustainable landscaping from Nan Sterman, author of "California Gardener's Guide Volume II"; and Patrick Anderson, owner of a stunning succulent garden in Fallbrook, will discuss designing with succulents for the last class. Complete the classes with a stroll through the gardens March 15 with master designer Bill Teague and listen as he highlights plants discussed in the classes. Cost is $80 for members, $100 nonmembers. Advance registration is required. Call (760) 436-3036, Ext. 206

http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2008/02/12/news/community/16_29_102_11_08.txt

San Diego's Water Conservation Activities

I found an interesting article in The Voice titled, "As Water Conservation Gets Tougher, City Spends Less" by Rob Davis about San Diego's water conservation activities. 

San Diego has reduced its water consumption by 19% since 1989. Yet SD does not measure up to other cities that have set an example for water conservation. The city of Long Beach has reduced its consumption by 25%! Furthermore, the city has reduced spending on conservation efforts. It is time to take action!!

With water conservation inside the home (low flow toilets and shower heads) reaching a plateau the city has began to focus on its conservation efforts outside the home. 

Conservation outside the home is proving to be more challenging. Ken Weinberg, the Director of Water Resources with the San Diego County Water Authority says;

"It's got to come in the landscape," Weinberg said. "It's not like installing a toilet or showerhead. You have to make people change their behavior, their choices in plants and do it over the long term. We don’t underestimate the challenge of doing that."

Here is a link to the article... ARTICLE

 

Welcome

The San Diego County chapter of Surfrider welcomes you to the Ocean Friendly Gardens Blog!!  We are excited to start this program here in San Diego. Ocean Friendly Gardens (OFG) aims to reduce run off from our yards. There is more detail on the National website. Here is the link...

http://www.surfrider.org/ofg.asp

Want to get involved? Come to our next chapter meeting on February 20th. Check out the website for more info:

http://www.surfridersd.org

We have a lot to do this year and an OFG subcommittee meeting is coming up next month. Keep tuned in for the date...

Until next time!