Thinking About Watering Your Lawn?

We haven't had any measurable rain in Concord since Jan. 13, and that was just a tiny bit. While the weather has been absolutely pleasant, the soaking wet days of November and December seem like a long time ago and there is no rain in the immediate forecast.

Is it time to water your lawn or garden again, even in January?

Check First

While we've seen sunny weather, the days are -- of course-- short and very cool compared to the middle of summer.

We suggest you check your soil before unrolling the hose. Pick up a clump of dirt in your hand, and feel for moisture. Use your hand shovel to dig around a little and see if there's moisture in the soil. Check in several places.

If you've put mulch around your shrubs and trees, these areas particularly should still be moist. Especially if your yard faces toward the south, it may be getting dry.

If Needed, Go Ahead & Water Your Lawn

If the soil's moist, of course, you don't need to water.

If it's dry, you may want to hand-water with a hose or turn your sprinklers on for a short time. You will not need a lot of water, so don't turn the sprinklers on and leave them running for a long time.

Use This Time To Check Your Sprinkler System

While the sprinklers are running, it's a good time to check your entire sprinkler system. Look for clogged, mis-aimed or broken emitters or pipes. You may want to remove a sprinkler at the end of the system and flush out any dirt.

With the mild weather, you have time to fix things now without risking damage to your plants and lawn while waiting for a spare moment to make repairs.

Don't Turn Your Timers On

It may be tempting to turn on your sprinkler timers, and let them do the work for the next few weeks.

That's not a good idea. Your yard will not need a lot of water, and with rapidly-changing winter weather still ahead of us, you may end up wasting a lot of water should you forget to turn them off.

Operate the sprinklers manually. CCWD doesn't advise turning your timers back on until March, and even then, that's only one day a week for your lawn.

Starting to Plan Your Summer Garden?

The "Bringing Back the Natives" Garden tour on Sunday, May 1 will be a great way to see how local gardeners have used drought-tolerant native plants to create beautiful gardens. More than 50 gardens in Contra Costa and Alameda counties are registered.

CCWD is one of the long-time sponsors of this popular community activity. There are a limited number of booklets, so register early. It's free!

Can't wait until May? Take a look at our "Gardening in Contra Costa County" online resource. There are thousands of plants listed, along with pictures and gardening ideas.

Hurry! Web Coupons To Expire! Wash Your Car, Buy Your Mulch!

Time is quickly running out on our two web coupon programs.

Our Smart Wash Car Wash and Mulch, Mulch, Mulch programs both end on Nov. 30.

That doesn't give you much time to use these money & water-saving coupons, but you can still use them until Dec. 1.

In the Smart Car Wash program, you can save money and water by using these coupons to save money with car washes that recycle water.

Everyone knows that mulch saves water and also cuts down on weeds in your garden....so stock up on mulch tomorrow and save money!

Keep Your Pipes From Freezing

We have all kinds of hints and tips to keep your pipes from freezing in the very cold weather. Just look here.

Cut Back Your Watering Days in October

The exceedingly hot weather of the last few days is expected to ease to comfortable temperatures by the weekend.

If you've been following our watering guide, your lawn, trees and most plants should be in great shape after the near-record heat. The only exception may be your shallow-rooted plants --like ground cover and perennials -- so check to see if they need any additional moisture.

Even though it's been sweaty-hot, do not hesitate to fall into savings and cut back your watering schedule on Oct. 1 to two days per week for lawns and one day per week for trees and shrubs.

Check our guide for the details.

Classes -- Plant Sale -- Coming Up Oct. 9

There will be class on caring for succulents, and the annual plant sale, coming up on Oct. 9 at the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Both will be held on Oct. 9

It's September, You Can Cut Back Your Sprinkler Timers

CCWD recommends cutting back watering times on your sprinklers in September.

We suggest watering your lawn three days a week, and your trees, shrubs and groundcover only one to two days per week. Look to our guide for the particulars on operating different types of sprinklers.

Even though it can still get plenty hot in Contra Costa County in September, the days are noticeably getting shorter and the sun is at a lower angle. That means less sunlight and your plants will need less water.

Remove Your Lawn Class in September

Lawn Removal, with Kat Weiss will be held at the Ruth Bancroft Garden on Saturday, Sept. 18 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Learn how to remove and replace your lawn in this informative and hands-on workshop. CCWD is a co-sponsor of these classes.

Save Water With Greywater & Drought Resistant Plants

Here are two ways to continue saving water: establish a greywater system to irrigate your garden, and plant more drought resistant plants in your yard.

A Berkeley group called "Greywater Action" is holding a class on using greywater from your shower on Saturday, Aug. 28 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The class will include a hands on demonstration that will install a greywater system at a home in Berkeley.

There is a fee, but it slides depending on your ability to pay.

Over in Richmond, the Watershed Nursery is having a large sale on a wide-variety of drought- resistant plants. The sale lasts a week and starts on Monday, Aug. 23.

August's Shorter Days Mean You Can Cut Watering For Trees & Shrubs

July and August are the times of the year of highest water demand for your plants.

But in August, the days are starting to get shorter. That means less sun on your yard, so you can use less water and still keep everything green.

For your automatic sprinklers, CCWD recommends cutting back a day on your watering schedule for trees and shrubs. But you probably want to leave your lawn sprinklers about the same during this normally-hot month.

Temperatures have been much cooler than normal so far this summer, so maybe you can cut watering even more than our recommendations.

CCWD August Sprinkler Day Recommendations

Lawn: 3-4 times per week.

Shrubs 2 days per week.

Consult our water use guide for more specific watering information.

Now We Now Have Two Options for $175 High-Efficiency Toilet Rebates

We now have an instant $175 rebate when you buy a WaterSense-labeled High-Efficiency Toilet from one of our participating vendor, or you can get a mail-in $175 rebate when you buy a WaterSense Labeled High Efficiency Toilet for the vendor you choose.

Before you do anything, make sure you pre-qualify for the rebate. We may also need to do an inspection at your home. Call CCWD at 688-8320 or look here for more information.

Drought Tolerant Gardening Class Coming Up

A class on drought-tolerant gardening will be held Saturday, Aug. 14 at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bobbi Feyerabend, a well-known East Bay landscape architect, will discuss the basics of low-water gardening and cover appropriate plant choices, garden design, irrigation and maintenance. She will focus on Mediterranean plants.

These classes are co-sponsored by the Contra Costa Water District.

Look here for more information.

Don't Forget Our Money Saving Coupons for Mulch & Car Washes

It's a great time to save money and water with our "Smart Car Wash" and "Mulch, Mulch, Mulch" coupon programs.

Print these coupons, and save.

Classes At Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek

CCWD sponsors classes at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek.

On Saturday, July 10, there will be "Botanical Illustrations" from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. with Dorcas Moulton, a botanical illustration instructor at Merritt College. She will show you everything you need to know about sketching your favorite plants.

Also coming up is: "Drought Tolerant Gardening 101," with Bobbi Feyerabend on Saturday, Aug. 14 and "Lawn Removal" with Kat Weiss Saturday, Sept. 11.

Contact the Garden for more information on these classes.