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1. Does CBWCD provide rebates for artificial turf or other turf removal?

We do not directly provide rebates; however, we work with many cities and agencies that do have programs available for you.

Please note: As of July 2015, rebate funds have been exhausted. You may join a wait list to be notified in the fall, should more funds become available.

Every water provider's programs are slightly different, so checking with your water provider is the best place to start. We have outlined a number of the rebates for indoors and outdoors, including turf removal, on this page: Rebates and Incentives Page.

2. Do you recommend putting in artificial turf to save water?

Replacing your lawn is a big step. Synthetic turf is one option for lawn replacement. It can be great for areas that are high traffic, don’t get a lot of sun and grass or plants have trouble growing, or that doesn’t get easy water like a parking strip.

There are a few things to consider that might make artificial turf less ideal for your landscape. If placed over a large area, synthetic turf can create a heat island, while mulch and plants help retain soil moisture. We often recommend using mulch and low water use plants so that you can help avoid these heat islands and maintain an environment that is closer to nature.

Using artificial turf is a personal preference. If you would like to learn more about mulch and low water use plants, please get in touch with us. We have landscape design consultations and you can see plants for yourself in our Garden.

3. How do I get started trading my thirsty lawn for a more drought-tolerant landscape?

There are many resources to help you convert your lawn to a water wise landscape. Here are a few options to get you started:

• Visit our rebates and incentives page to learn more about turf removal rebates


• Visit our Landscape Evaluation and Audit page to learn more about our free audits


• Visit our Landscape Design Room to use our library and take advantage of free expert consultation by one of our staff. Learn more about it on this page.


• Peruse our Water Wise Landscaping page to learn more about landscaping practices.

4. How do I kill existing turf to be replaced by drought tolerant plant materials?

There are a few ways:

• Non-Chemical Option A: Physically pull, rake, roto-till, shovel etc. to remove roots stems and rhizomes. May take weeks or months. Water the area to germinate missed seeds, stems & roots to ensure full removal.


• Non-Chemical Option B: Cover turf area with clear plastic and seal at edges. This will allow grass and weeds to grow, then die from heat and suffocation. After two weeks, remove plastic and allow area to breathe for approximately three weeks. Give the areas water to germinate any remaining plant life. Repeat plastic process for another two weeks.


• Chemical: Herbicides with Glyphosphate as the active ingredient will kill turf grasses. Sometimes two to three applications of the herbicide are needed to insure that Bermuda grass and other emerging weed seeds are also killed. Water the dying turf grasses normally three days after first herbicide application and all other subsequent herbicide applications.

5. Do I have to plant all California natives in order to save water?

No. There is a wide range of plants that will grow successfully in this area that are not California natives. Keep in mind, California is a huge state with many different climate zones, so sometimes a native that is planted out of its adapted area will require more water than another plant. It does help to research which popular landscape plants might become invasive if you live close to wildlands such as the foothills or near open grasslands or desert.

The Water Wise Demonstration Garden at the WCC highlights native plants and non-natives that will do well in our arid climate. Come take a look to get inspiration for your landscape.

6. Do California native plants require extensive soil amendments and fertilizers?

No. Typically, California native plants do not need artificial fertilizer additives or organic amendments. These plants, if regional, are adapted to soils low in fertility and organic matter and a soil pH range of 7.2 – 7.5. However, if you were to add a small quantity of blood and bone meal within the root zone, the native plants would respond favorably to this practice. These are organic type fertilizers with a very slow release of nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorous). Great drainage and irrigation practices are huge keys to success when growing California native plants.

7. Are all California native plants drought tolerant?

No. Many of the regional native plants are not drought tolerant and are actually very water thirsty. These would include Western Sycamore, White Alder, Columbine, native Irises and riparian grasses, to name just a few. Researching the coastal and inland chaparral plant communities is the best way to determine which California native plants are drought tolerant. You can find which plants work best in your specific zone by searching the Sunset Plant Finder.

8. What types of irrigation do drought tolerant landscapes require?

All plants require water, even cacti and succulents. All newly planted plants will require a regular watering schedule until their roots are fully developed into the surrounding landscape. Establishment into a sustainable drought tolerant plant will typically occur within the first two to three years; trees usually take three to five years. Drip irrigation and overheard irrigation are acceptable irrigation practices.

• Drip Irrigation: For smaller plants (1 gallon containers), install three to four emitters per plant. Increase the number of emitters for larger plants/container size and as the size of the plant grows.


• Overhead Irrigation: Use stream rotor nozzles and apply irrigation in early morning. 4-7 a.m. is a good watering window for drought tolerant plant material. Water deeply and infrequently and as needed for the age and type of plants. Good soil drainage is critical for successfully growing many drought tolerant plants.

9. Can I water plants with water from the washer?

Yes, you can! This is called 'gray' water and is acceptable to use on ornamental plants. Do not use gray water to irrigate edible plants. Recommendations for using gray water:

• Use ‘safe’ –biodegradable laundry detergents. Read label carefully on the detergent box. Stay away from phosphate laced detergents.


• If using bleach, collect wash water in to buckets and expose this wash water to the air for three days. This will allow the chlorine bleach to evaporate out of the wash water.