Fall planting season is underway and a great time to take advantage of rebates for replacing your lawn.
“Fall is like a second spring for planting in our region and it’s also a great opportunity for residents to take advantage of some outdoor incentives as they replace grass with climate appropriate plants,” said Joni German, water resources specialist at the San Diego County Water Authority.
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Mike Leehttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2020-11-23 10:11:082020-12-02 05:50:57Lawn Rebates for Fall Planting Season
Fourteen water agencies in San Diego County seek the best in landscaping makeover projects for the regional WaterSmart 2020 Landscape Makeover competition. The annual contest offers the opportunity to showcase residential waterwise landscaping as a way to inspire other homeowners to consider replacing water-guzzling turf based designs.
The contest deadline for all participating agencies has now been extended to Friday, May 29. Homeowners may submit their entry online. You must be a resident within agency boundaries to participate. Each agency winner receives a $250 gift certificate and recognition on the agency website and social media channels.
Deborah Brandt’s 2019 winning landscape for the Vista Irrigation District includes contrasting elements, such as cactus, river rock and wood chips, against a backdrop of dramatic magenta, purple and striking orange. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Participating agencies include California American Water, the cities of Escondido, Oceanside, and San Diego, Fallbrook Public Utility District, Helix Water District, Olivenhain Municipal Water District, Otay Water District, Padre Dam Municipal Water District, Rincon Del Diablo Water District, San Dieguito Water District, Sweetwater Authority, Vallecitos Water District, and Vista Irrigation District.
“With rebates available for turf removal, now is a great time to replace your lawn with a beautiful WaterSmart landscape,” said Brent Reyes, water conservation specialist for the Vista Irrigation District.
Turf removal saves estimated 36 million gallons annually
La Mesa residents Bob and Shan Cissell transformed 2,500 square feet of turf into their own conservation garden in La Mesa, winning the 2019 Otay Water District Landscaping Contest. Photo: Otay Water District
With a majority of residential water use in San Diego County attributed to watering landscapes, regional water efficiency efforts focus on outdoor water use. By showcasing their beautiful landscape in the WaterSmart Landscape Contest, homeowners can offer ideas and demonstrate how waterwise landscaping can be attractive as well.
Thanks to ongoing education and incentives, San Diego County residents have targeted more than one million square feet of turf grass for replacement with WaterSmart landscaping through free landscape makeover classes sponsored by the San Diego County Water Authority between 2013 and 2018. The Water Authority has documented an estimated savings of 33 million gallons annually,
Online landscape makeover tips available
If you need some inspiration or guidance, WaterSmartSD offers landscape makeover videos you can view on demand. This series of videos mirrors the content of the in-person workshops and four-class series. Each video takes you step-by-step through the process of creating your own beautiful, water-efficient landscape.
From measuring your property to getting to know your soil to picking the right plants for the right place, these entertaining and informative videos will guide you along the path to a WaterSmart landscape.
In addition, WaterSmartSD provides a list of online resources and guides to planning your landscape design project, soil analysis, compost and mulch, plant choices, and irrigation.
For additional information on 2020 Landscape Makeover Contest entry rules, go to WaterSmartLandscapes.
Click on the gallery below for more 2020 landscape makeover inspiration from past winners.
Planning for the amount of space your new plants will need when fully grown will help your landscape thrive. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
Rocks and small boulders are both aesthetically pleasing and useful in your landscape. Photo: Otay Water District
A diverse palette of colorful succulents, cacti, and California native plants add to the winning design. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
Fun decorative items can provide focal points for your new landscaping project. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
Colorful, water-wise plants replaced a thirsty, labor intensive front lawn in Deborah Brant’s winning landscape makeover. Photo: Vista Irrigation District
Melanie and Bob Buck’s colorful landscape makeover is the winner of the OMWD 2019 Landscape Contest. Photo: Olivenhain MWD
Laura Cates used succulents to create her winning landscape design in Oceanside. Photo: City of Oceanside
The colorful new landscaping can serve as an inspiration to other Carlsbad residents. Photo: OMWD
Compared to the previous landscaping with thirsty turf, the new landscaping uses much less water. Photo: Helix Water District
Even though this new WaterSmart Living landscape is only four months old, it is already in full bloom with California native plants. Photo: Helix Water District
The Kirkpatricks took advantage of the Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscaping classes. Photo: Helix Water District
Homeowners learn through the Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Series that sustainable landscaping can be as lush as a lawn. Photo Water Authority
The homeowners completed their yard décor with beautiful ceramic containers, gazing balls, and whimsical artwork including starfish and a peacock. Photo: Sweetwater Authority
Inspired by the San Diego County Water Authority’s free landscape makeover classes, Vallecitos Water District employee Eileen Koonce transformed her own landscaping. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Janet and Conrad Becks’ winning design came from their desire to save water and to showcase their makeover. Photo: City of Oceanside
Eileen Koonce says she was able to install her own landscaping with the help she received from course instructors. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
Homeowner Eileen Koonce discovered watersmart landscaping can be colorful and attractive. Photo: Vallecitos Water District
The Oberkamp home after its landscaping makeover. Photo: Water Authority
Vallecitos Water District Development Services Coordinator Eileen Koonce transformed the front yard at her new home into a beautiful water-efficient design with help from the San Diego County Water Authority’s Landscape Makeover Program.
As a new homeowner, when Koonce received her first water bill, she decided to figure out a way to reduce her water bill and her water usage. She realized the thirsty lawn covering the front yard had to go.
“As an employee of the District, we are always talking to customers about how they can reduce water use in their landscape, and what better time to put that theme to use than in my own yard,” said Koonce.
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Mike Leehttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2020-03-02 08:20:342020-03-11 12:57:23Vallecitos Water District Employee Leads By Example With WaterSmart Landscaping Makeover
Eastern Municipal Water District customers are eligible to receive $2 per square foot when they remove grass at their homes and businesses after regional funding opportunities were recently doubled. The popular turf removal program funded by The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California – of which EMWD is a member agency – began providing funding of $2 per square foot as of April 1. In addition to the increased funding, the program has undergone administrative changes to assist customers.
Removing grass can generate rebates of at least $2 per square foot for San Diego residents under new enhanced incentives that started this month.
As of April 1, the Metropolitan Water District is offering $2 per square foot for every square foot of grass removed from yards and replaced with sustainable landscaping.
Rebates may vary by water agency, but an online incentive calculator identifies the current rebate amounts.
New rules for turf rebates. Graphic: BeWaterSmart.com
To increase participation, MWD also updated program rules. The rules are listed at the application site.
All San Diego County residents are eligible for the $2 rebate.
But, that’s not all. The San Diego County Water Authority is offering an additional $1.75 per square foot to customers in its service area, with grant funds provided by the California Department of Water Resources. And, the City of San Diego offers city residents $1.25 per square foot. That means some homeowners can earn as much as a $5 rebate for each square foot of turf removed.
Turf rebate programs have proven popular in Southern California, and funds could go quickly.
Water Authority offers free landscaping classes
While rebates can provide a big boost to landscaping makeover projects, it’s also important to start planning before you start planting.
That’s where the Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program comes in. Free resources are available to upgrade turf yards.
For instance, the Water Authority offers free landscape makeover classes that help homeowners make smart choices to reduce outdoor water use by designing beautiful and climate-appropriate landscapes for our region.
Find additional water-saving programs, incentives, and classes for residents and businesses at: https://www.watersmartsd.org/
“San Diego County homeowners and businesses know that sustainable landscapes are key to water reliability in our region,” said Joni German, who manages the Water Authority’s WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program. With the help of local landscape architects and designers, our WaterSmart Landscape Makeover Program gives them the knowledge and skills they need to be successful. WaterSmart landscapes are an upgrade, not a compromise.”
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Turf-Rebates-845x450-6206PontiacSt..jpg450845Mike Leehttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngMike Lee2019-04-08 08:15:592019-04-08 08:31:41Cash Rebates Increase for Grass Removal in San Diego Region
San Diego, Calif. – Residents in San Diego can now receive $2.75 per square foot for replacing turf with sustainable landscaping features as part of a new Landscaping Transformation Program launched today across Southern California.
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/logo-color-stacked-tagline-high-res.jpg534555Gayle Falkenthalhttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2018-07-10 08:24:412018-07-10 08:25:27New Landscape Transformation Program Increases Incentives in San Diego County
Need a financial incentive to rip out your water-sucking lawn in favor of something a little more drought friendly? Here it is: The Metropolitan Water District is bringing back landscape rebates, starting in July: The district will offer a rebate of $1 per square foot of turf removal. And, depending upon where you live, you might get an additional incentive on top of that from participating member agencies.
https://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.png00Gayle Falkenthalhttps://wnn.brainshine.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/WNN-Horizontal-White-Blue2.pngGayle Falkenthal2018-04-27 00:40:542018-06-26 17:50:35Want To Ditch The Lawn? Turf Removal Rebates Are Coming Back