Los Angeles Native Plant Garden Replaces Lawn
Sticky Monkey Flower, (Mimulus aurantiacus) Photo by Kathy Vilim
As published in Dec/Jan Issue of Whole Life Times (pg 9-10)
For years now, devoted native plant gardeners have been pleading with folks to "Ditch Their Lawns" in favor of landscapes with native plants that would attract bees, birds, butterflies and other pollinators. When it comes to living ecosystems, there simply is no place for lawns.. they are dead-zones without insects needed to feed the birds... and without flower blooms to provide nectar to feed bees and butterflies. But people have been slow to come around to the concept of native plant gardening and the importance of a balanced ecosystem, despite discussions on all of the research out there.
But now, with the California drought going on its Sixth season, this is a perfect opportunity to revisit the subject. There is now a monetary incentive for "Ditching Your Lawn". Besides saving money on your water bills when you cut back on water use, there are rebates available from the Los Angeles Department of Water & Power (or the water agency where you live) when you remove traditional lawns and replace them with drought-tolerant native plants.
Unfortunately, due to the unexpected success of the Turf Removal Rebate Program, funding has dried up for most regions in California as of this writing. However the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (and also the City of Anaheim) are still accepting applications. To get an estimate for a turf removal rebate and get an application, visit this link
The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's rebates have not gone away. However, in July the Board of Water and Power Commissioners voted to eliminate the rebate for plastic (artificial turf) lawn installation. No more cash for fake grass. Why? They are still a water-wise move, you might say. But there are a few problems with them: besides plastic retaining heat, there is nowhere for the runoff of rain or irrigation to go.The garden's rainwater or irrigation water needs to soak into the ground, not go off to storm drains and the ocean. A drainage fix can be as simple as impressions dug around native plants, or smart use of decompressed gravel. Homeowners are encouraged to be proactive in saving any excess water by installing underground cisterns, although this is not necessary to be approved for rebates.
Under the new rules, in order to be eligible for lawn removal rebates, homeowners must show that their new yard will be at least 50% drought-tolerant plants. They must also limit their use of gravel. Both plastic lawns and gravel contribute to heating up the ground on sunny Southern California days.
Not sure what can be done? Put on your walking shoes and take a walk around your neighborhood. Seems everyone is getting in on the new lawn-less, drought-tolerant front yards. I highly recommend checking the California Native Plant Society's website, where they have a comprehensive list of plants that are native to your area, as well as contractor resources. It is important to get a contractor who really knows natives, as not all drought-tolerant plants are actually native to your area. Many plants that I see in all the new gardens are actually native to Australia, for example, as their climate is very similar to ours. But, if you are going to re-do your yard, why not plant California plants instead of those from other places? Here, for example, is a list of popular natives in the Santa Monica/West Los Angeles area.
Another lawn replacement option is Native Grass & Wildflower Seeds. Few people realize that there are drought-tolerant, low-growing wildflowers and grasses that create a meadow-like look in the California garden. With native seeds, you can have a lawn and still be water wise. The DWP rebate program, does not allow for ANY turf, even if it is native and drought tolerant. However, if you are replacing your lawn and are not applying for a rebate, this is another option for you. The Theodore Payne Foundation, in Sun Valley, is a tremendous source of native California wildflower seeds.
I applaud these additional rules by the Department of Water and Power. They show the discussions about maintaining healthy, living and balanced ecosystems in our gardens is alive and well. I look forward to the time when our gardens are recognized as ecosystems and folks welcome in the whole host of creatures that should be living there.
As published in Dec/Jan Issue of Whole Life Times (pg 9-10)
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