Water Wise Landscaping Your Yard: Preparation and Design - Chino, California

1. Water Wise Landscaping Your Yard
~ Preparation & Design ~
Step 1: Evaluate Your Property’s Weather, Water, Soil and Topography
Where and when is it sunny or shady? Are there areas that get or stay particularly wet or dry? What
type of soil do you have (sandy, loam, clay, etc?)? Do you have slopes, flat areas or both?
Step 2: Think About Want to Do in Your Yard
What would you like to start doing in your yard? Entertain on the patio = area for table and chairs. Play
area for the kids = a small patch of grass with low water plants around it. Bird watching = create a
wildlife habitat with specific plants to attract them.
Step 3: Consider Maintenance
How much time do you want to spend working on your garden? Can you afford to hire gardeners who
know how to do more than mow and blow?
Step 4: Design
Start looking at books, websites, and neighbor’s landscapes for ideas of how you want to remodel your
landscape. Ask yourself, “What do I want my garden to feel like?”:
____Open space or Enclosed feeling ____Lush and green
____ Wildlife enhancement ____Colorful and full of flowers
____Twisty paths and creativity ____Framing a view
____Sculptured and clean ____Framing a focal (i.e.: art) piece
____Wild and messy ____Woodsy and natural looking
Basic Landscape Design Principles
1. Consider the architecture of your house (style and size).
2. Consider form – horizontal & vertical form of trees & plants. Use repetition—of plants and
materials. Keep deciduous vs. evergreen plants in mind. Keep in mind the mature size of the
plant. Consider the maintenance of the plant.
3. Consider massing, focal points, & accents to make the garden more cohesive.
4. Plant in hydro‐zones ‐ Group plants which have similar water requirements on the same valve.
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Chino Basin Water Conservation District, 4594 San Bernardino St., Montclair, CA 91763
www.cbwcd.org 909‐626‐2711

2.
Things to Do:
1. Plan what you want to keep and what you want to remove (hardscape and plants).
2. Plan your budget – What can you do? What do you need to hire someone to do?
3. Choose your focal points: trees, artwork, paths, etc.
4. Address your biggest needs: screening a neighbor’s yard, creating shade, place for the kids to
play, dining area, sitting area, dog area, etc.
5. Consider maintenance ‐ how much or little, what can you do vs. hiring someone.
6. When choosing accent, foreground, and border plants, use contrasting textures, foliage, and
colors (ex: mix deep greens with silver foliage). Consider: where do you want your eye to go?
7. Remember what you want the overall feel of your yard to be (Mediterranean garden, ultra
modern, tropical), then work from there.
8. Mix natives with other drought tolerant plants—even mix in succulents for color and shape.
9. Attend lots of classes, visit water wise gardens, visit nurseries and talk to experts.
Where to find our more:
Websites:
1. Basics on design and a list of plants: bewaterwise.com/ww_landscaping.html
2. List of excellent drought tolerant plants: lvmwd.com/index.aspx?page=185
3. Info on paths, hardscape, structures, and more: poolandpatio.about.com
4. Info on how much to water: bewaterwise.com/calculator.html
Books:
1. Sunset Magazine’s Western Guidebook
2. California Native Plants for the Garden
3. Landscape Plants for California Gardens (Bob Perry’s new book)
Field Trips to Water Wise Gardens:
1. Chino Basin Water Conservation District (Open 7 days a week 8 am – 5 pm)
4594 San Bernardino St., Montclair www.cbwcd.org 909‐626‐2711
2. Maloof Foundation and Gardens (Open Thurs. & Sat. 12 pm – 4 pm and By Appt.)
5131 Carnelian St., Alta Loma www.malooffoundation.org 909.980.1412
3. Rancho Santa Ana Botanic Garden (Open 7 days a week 8 am – 5 pm)
1500 N. College Ave., Claremont www.rsabg.org 909.625.8767
Chino Basin Water Conservation District, 4594 San Bernardino St., Montclair, CA 91763
www.cbwcd.org 909‐626‐2711