We’re all acutely aware of the fact that California is in a major drought. There are small, easy ways to help out, like turning off the water while you shave.
There are some bigger way to help, too, aimed specifically at homeowners. From water efficient toilets to washer driers, Pasadena homeowners can directly impact the city’s overall water usage.
So when was the last time you thought about your grass lawn?
Re-landscaping involves ditching your turfgrass or lawn for a more drought-tolerant and water-efficient plants or other materials.
A free workshop by Pasadena Water and Power (PWP) will teach you how to kick off your new landscaping project that won’t make you sacrifice your home’s good looks.
Tim Wheeler, PWP landscaping consultant and owner of consulting firm Wheeler Company, will be hosting the workshop March 14th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
“The workshop is about getting people comfortable with the process of removing turfgrass and installing drought-tolerant plant material,” says Wheeler. “Lawn, or turfgrass as we call it is the predominant landscape plant used in Southern California but it’s also the highest water-using plant used in landscaping.”
The workshop will provide participants with the tools they will need to help them feel more comfortable with taking out their old grass, a concept that might be a bit intimidating for those who have never dealt with intensive landscaping.
It may be a little tough to say goodbye to your traditional lawn, but Wheeler will give you examples of drought-tolerant plants suitable for Pasadena weather. Besides, you’re not expected to give up the grass right away.
“It’s not strictly [imposed] that you have to take your grass out if you go to this workshop. I mean that certainly is the big incentive, but we also realize that some people are going to come in and look at this and realize, ‘You know what, I can’t do this right now.’”
“If you want to leave an area of grass in your landscape because you have children or pets that need a place to play, grass is perfect for them,” Wheeler says. “The question they have to ask is ‘How much grass do I really need?’”
Rest assured though that once you pursue this home-improvement project and scrap the traditional lawn altogether, you will see a marked difference in your water bill.
“It’s also a chance for people to sort of reinvent their landscape and hopefully install a landscape that is going to be more usable than what they currently have,” Wheeler concludes.
To participate, you must be a PWP customer. Seating is limited, so RSVP is a must. Reserve your seat by calling (626) 744-6970 or visit www.PWPweb.com/Workshops.
The event will be held in Westridge School’s Braun Center located at 324 Madeline Dr., Pasadena.
Pasadena Water and Power is located at 150 S Los Robles Avenue #200 Pasadena. For more information, call (626) 744-4005 or visit cityofpasadena.net/waterandpower.
Post expires at 8:50pm on Saturday March 14th, 2015