Landscaper Training to Improve Water Efficiency Skills
Residential outdoor water use in the United States accounts for more than 9 billion gallons of water each day, mainly for landscape irrigation. It is estimated that as much as 50 percent of that water is wasted through evaporation, wind, or runoff due in part to improper irrigation system design, installation, and/or maintenance. […]
To Mulch or Not to Mulch
Mulching is one of the simplest ways to enhance your garden. It insulates the soil, protects it from erosion, conserves moisture, prevents weed growth, reduces soil compaction from heavy rain, provides a beautiful finishing touch to your garden, and may even improve soil quality. […]
Plant Of The Month: Elephant’s Food (Portulacaria Afra)
This succulent is well adapted to the Coachella Valley. It’s an excellent container plant with an interesting, flowing growth habit that appears to flow waterfall-like over the edge of a container or across the ground. It is often confused with the jade plant, Crassula argentea. Elephant’s Food grows more rapidly and has more open growth, with limber, tapering branches. […]
The Annual Consumer Confidence/Water Quality Report Is Now Available
The 2022 Annual Consumer Confidence Report is now available for viewing. This report, also known as the Water Quality Report, provides information on the quality of drinking water supplied to our communities. It details water sources, the constituents found in the water, and how the water compares with state and federal standards. […]
Landscaping Tip of the Month: Boulders and Rocks Can Add Elements of Interest to Your Landscape and Garden
A naturalistic grouping of boulders and rocks provides numerous nooks and crannies in which to locate accent and color plants – and can also help to reduce water use. Burying boulders partway enhances the natural appearance. Add to the area an overhead canopy, such as a Palo Verde tree, to create partial shade to benefit the plants beneath. […]
Plant of the Month: Trumpet Vine (Campsis Radicans)
The Trumpet Vine is a native of the southeast United States and is tolerant of the harsh summer growing conditions in our Coachella Valley. It is vigorous and self-climbing, up to 25 feet or more – high and wide. The dark green leaves are deciduous in the winter. Clusters of 3-inch, orange or red flowers bloom summer and fall and are pollinated by hummingbirds. It has a rapid growth rate. […]
