Benefits to you:

• Saves money on water, fertilizers, and pesticides
• Reduces exposure to toxic chemicals for your family and pets
• Maximizes beneficial use of green “waste” in your landscape
• Requires less maintenance such as mowing and trimming
• Attracts wonderful birds and butterflies to your garden

To get started, consider these steps:

Use mulch in flower, vegetable, and shrub beds

• Mulch is a covering of organic material, which can prevent water loss, keep weeds down, and decompose to make the soil healthy.
• Use mulch materials such as shredded bark, ground up tree trimmings, and fallen leaves.
• Apply mulch three inches or more deep. Keep mulch away from the base of trees and shrubs to reduce damage from disease and pests.

Grasscycle when mowing lawns to help create a healthy turf and soil

• Grasscycling allows grass clippings and their nutrients to be recycled into the lawn and soil, reducing the need for fertilizers. In addition, there is less waste sent to the landfill.
• Replace the standard blade on your lawn mower with a mulching blade that cuts clippings into smaller pieces that break down more readily.
• Remove the bag (so the clippings stay on the lawn) and mow as usual.
• Mulch and Grasscycling Guide – Learn the importance of mulch and grasscycling and step by step guidance on how to apply these practices in your landscape.

Consider Rain Gardens: Soak up the Rain Water

Rain gardens are shallow, landscaped depressions that capture rain water that runs off roofs and/or pavement. Rain gardens have many benefits:

• Collects rain water and allows it to slowly soak into the ground. An average sized rain garden in Sacramento can potentially retain thousands of gallons of water every year!
• Reduces runoff from your property
• Filters out pollutants in runoff
• Contains beautiful and colorful plants and shrubs
• Provides habitat for birds and butterflies

Landscaping Resources and Tools:

• Rescape CA– Learn tips on how to create a water-efficient garden, reduce pesticides, build healthy soil, select plants, and many more!
• Be Water Smart – Developed by the Regional Water Authority, this website has extensive information on water conservation tips, plant lists, drought news, turf rebates, and landscape design resources.
• Our Water Our World – Our Water Our World is an award-winning partnership between city- and county-based water pollution prevention agencies, garden centers and hardware stores that sell pest control products. This program provides fact sheets for do-it-yourselfers and training opportunities for store employees to help customers find less toxic options for pest control.
• Fair Oaks Horticultural Center – Features water-efficient garden demonstrations that are open to the public and hold periodic workshops.
• Find a Rescape Qualified Landscaper –  This directory provides a list of landscapers who have been trained on sustainable, holistic approaches to the design and management of landscapes that include conserving water and soil, reducing waste, and preventing pollution.
• Cash for Grass Rebates – Find out if your water provider is offering rebates to remove grass and replace it with drought-tolerant plants.
• Sacramento County Waste Management and Recycling Compost Guide – Learn the benefits and different techniques of composting.
• SMUD’s Free Wood Chips and Shade Tree Program – Learn how to get free wood chips and shade trees from SMUD!
• Sacramento Tree Foundation – Get tips on how to properly plant trees and care for them.
• Eco-Friendly Gardening Videos – Watch these eco-friendly gardening video provided by Our Water Our World.
• Eco-Friendly Events – There are plenty of events you can participate in, happening online and in-person! Visit our events calendar for more information.