See 47 Different Drought Tolerant Plants at CCWD's Garden

You can now identify 47 different types of drought-tolerant plants living and growing in CCWD's Demonstration Garden

Completed in 1991 and undergoing the final stages of a much-needed upgrade, CCWD's water-efficient District Center Garden is one of 78 Demonstration Gardens in California recognized by the Water Education Foundation, The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Urban Water Conservation Council.

Most recently, we've added labels and tags for all the plants found in the garden. In addition, there's a list of the plants on the signboard next to the entrance to the building. So if you like a particular type of plant, just check it off the list and take it to your nursery.

The garden is designed to show homeowners and businesses that by planting wisely, they can continue to have a beautiful landscape that uses very little water. You can see everything from the "Torch Lilly" to "Catherine's Lace" and "Bottlebrush Little John."

A path winds through the garden of natives, exotic shrubs and perennials. Plants were selected for their suitability to the local climate, soil and for low maintenance.

The garden is about an acre in size, and uses about half of the water of the expansive lawn it replaced in 1991....and doesn't need to be mowed every week!

The garden is located at 1331 Concord Ave. in Concord near Buchanan Field.

Want to know more about native plants, look at our online guide to "Gardening in Contra Costa County."

Increase Sprinkler Days As Temps Go Up

It's hard to believe we are still receiving rain in late May, so turn on your sprinkler system once the rains have stopped. When you do turn your system on, program it for the following number of days per week during June:

• Lawns & High Water Use Plants – 3 to 4 days per week
  
  
• Trees, Shrubs, and Groundcovers - 2 days per week

For lawns and high water use plants, start out the month with 3 days per week once the soil isn’t saturated from recent rains. Increase from 3 days to 4 days per week if required as temperatures increase later in the month.

For more information on irrigation scheduling and water conservation programs, visit www.ccwater.com/conserv