A Waterless Lawn Several GoingTrueGreen.com followers have been asking me about the wave hitting the West Coast to combat the water drought in Southern California. That wave of improvisation is known as Waterless Rock Gardens or Rock Lawns. After all, to use clean fresh drinking water for your grass lawn just doesn't make sense in a severe drought. At least this makes sense to all the households in Los Angeles where income doesn't afford watering lawns. Those lawns are now all brown.
The reason for not watering is because there isn't enough water. Yet, if that isn't reason enough, there are higher water costs and fines to endure. For the average and low income families, that is all understood. However, in towns such as Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, and Bel Air, those lawns have been "green" the longest according to local news papers. Some of the very people maintaining lush green lawns for as long as they can in this devastating drought, are financially secured celebrities that many low income kids look up to. Some reports have claimed that well known and very vocal environment friendly celebs, are the most heinous offenders! Only after being identified and embarrassed did they take steps to save clean drinking water.
The reason for not watering is because there isn't enough water. Yet, if that isn't reason enough, there are higher water costs and fines to endure. For the average and low income families, that is all understood. However, in towns such as Pacific Palisades, Beverly Hills, and Bel Air, those lawns have been "green" the longest according to local news papers. Some of the very people maintaining lush green lawns for as long as they can in this devastating drought, are financially secured celebrities that many low income kids look up to. Some reports have claimed that well known and very vocal environment friendly celebs, are the most heinous offenders! Only after being identified and embarrassed did they take steps to save clean drinking water.
Rain Barrel Now taking steps to save water was made very easy by the state and cities of California. Four years ago they offered lawn owners $1.50 per square foot to replace your lawn. These tax credits had Los Angeles homeowners, along with commercial businesses, pulling out a million and a half square feet of grass. The grass has been replaced with rocks, vines, trees, shrubs, gravel, cacti, succulents, and perennial plants. Homeowners earned even more money from the utilities if they used drip irrigation, weather over-ride systems, and eco-friendly sprinkler heads. I even suggest catching rain water off your roof with Rain Barrels. For more of my blogs on this subject visit More Garden, Less Lawn.
Recently the L.A.'s DWP, Department of Water and Power, increased the amount from $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot for grass removed so even more water can be saved. At that rebate price, some land owners could make one or two thousand dollars. However, before you run out to buy rocks and tear up your lawn, you have to follow set rules. You can find details on your local town or city website. Such as the LADWP, (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power), website for how to get pre-approval to present before and after proof. Without following the rules for proposed changes, you may not receive any rebate or tax credit.
All of us must take water saving steps, drought or no drought. The reasons are many and one is because clean drinking water has already become hard to find in many places around the world. A topic that I address in my first Online Workshop which is about WATER.
Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Recently the L.A.'s DWP, Department of Water and Power, increased the amount from $1.50 to $2.00 per square foot for grass removed so even more water can be saved. At that rebate price, some land owners could make one or two thousand dollars. However, before you run out to buy rocks and tear up your lawn, you have to follow set rules. You can find details on your local town or city website. Such as the LADWP, (Los Angeles Department of Water and Power), website for how to get pre-approval to present before and after proof. Without following the rules for proposed changes, you may not receive any rebate or tax credit.
All of us must take water saving steps, drought or no drought. The reasons are many and one is because clean drinking water has already become hard to find in many places around the world. A topic that I address in my first Online Workshop which is about WATER.
Bill Lauto , GTG
Environmental Scientist
International Sustainability and Energy Consultant
Contribute your comments!
Telling the Untold Stories: TELOMERE by L. J. Williams
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