Bay Area Water Districts Want to Pay You to Save Water

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In these uncertain times, more people are finding solace in the garden.  Growing edibles surging in popularity. Plants and seeds are flying off the shelves of garden centers.  That leads us to water.  SF Bay Area Water Districts are eager to help you save money on water-saving irrigation equipment, drought-tolerant plants, and lawn conversion. How often do you hear that?

I compiled a list of Counties and districts with links to rebate requirements – everything you need to know.  The rebates apply to both commercial and residential accounts. Scroll down for a downloadable report.

Alameda County Water District (ACWD)
Note: due to COVID-19 rebate programs may be delayed by 1-2 weeks.

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New! Rachio Smart Sprinkler Controller Instant Rebate (for residential customers)

Rebate for converting their lawns to water-efficient landscapes.*

$1.00/sq.ft of lawn converted. Please contact us to learn more.

*To be eligible for this rebate, customers must be pre-approved by ACWD, so please check with us first before beginning your landscape conversion project. Rebates are issued on a first-come, first served basis. Funding is limited. For additional lawn replacement ideas, please visit LoseYourLawn.org. 

For additional lawn replacement ideas, please visit LoseYourLawn.org.

Application Materials

Application – Please EMAIL this application to cons@acwd.com

Resources

COMMERCIAL

Weather-based “smart controller” rebates

Commercial and large landscape customers that replace their existing conventional irrigation controller with a “smart” irrigation controller may qualify for a rebate of up to $30* per active station. See our Program Brochure (PDF) for more information. Sites must be pre-qualified – Please contact us for more information about how to get pre-qualified.  *Rebate is based on the number of active stations of each existing controller.

Contra Costa Water District (CCWD)
Note: Rebate programs and inspections could be delayed due to COVID-19.

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Lawn Conversion rebate

The rebate is $1 per square foot of lawn replaced up to the maximum amount. 

The maximum rebate for single-family residential sites is $1,000.

The website has checklist and detailed list of restrictions.

Weather based smart irrigation controller rebates

$12 per active (used) irrigation station (zone) up to 50% of the list cost of the controller(s). Limit one rebate per customer per address. Limit one controller rebate per customer per address without pre-approval. Multiple controllers per address may be allowed on a case-by-case basis. Pre-approval is required.

COMMERCIAL

Lawn Conversion rebate

The rebate is $1 per square foot of lawn replaced up to the maximum amount. 

Maximum commercial, multi-family, and municipal accounts is $20,000 per site.

The website has checklist and detailed list of restrictions.

Weather based smart irrigation controller rebates

Rebate is to upgrade conventional controllers to WaterSense certified smart irrigation controllers only.

$20 per active irrigation station (zone) not to exceed 50% of the list price of the controller.

water graphic

East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD)
Note: Due to COVID-19 there will be a delay in responding to and processing mailed-in rebates. For a faster turnaround, please email your rebate application to waterconservation@ebmud.com. 

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Lawn Conversion rebate

Up to $2,000 (single-family and small multi-family homes)

Irrigation Equipment rebate

Up to $2,000 for equipment that includes:

  • High efficiency nozzles
  • Drip irrigation conversion
  • Pressure regulators
  • Self-adjusting controllers
  • Irrigation sub-meters

COMMERCIAL

Lawn Conversion rebate

Up to 15,000 (commercial and large multi-family properties) 

Irrigation Equipment rebate

Up to $15,000 for commercial or large multi-family properties.

Equipment includes:

  • High efficiency nozzles
  • Drip irrigation conversion
  • Pressure regulators
  • Self-adjusting controllers
  • Irrigation sub-meters

North Marin Water District
North Marin Water District has several rebate programs available including a Cash-for-Grass Turf Rebate, a Water Smart Landscape Rebate, and a Weather Based Irrigation Controller Rebate.

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Cash for Grass

$50 per 100 square feet of lawn area.  Limited to total of $400 for single family dwellings. 

Requirements include:

  • Replace the regularly mowed and automatically irrigated lawn with California native low water use plant material (see District Approved Plant List or Sonoma Marin saving water partnership list).
  • Mulch new landscape to a depth of at least 4 inches.
  • Agree not to re-install irrigated turf in the project area.

Water Smart Landscape Rebates

Rebate amount: 50% of the actual cost of District approved items, up to a maximum of $100 for residential customers.

Equipment that qualifies includes:

  • Drip irrigation systems
  • Water pressure-regulating devices
  • Check valves
  • Multi-stream rotating sprinkler nozzles (for lawn areas only)
  • Rain shut-off devices
  • Mulch

Weather Based Irrigation Controller Rebate*

$100 or $30 per active station up to $1,200 per controller, whichever is greater.

List of eligible controllers includes: Weathermatic, ET Water, Rainmaster, Hunter, Toro, Rainbird.

*Note: does not specify whether it is residential or commercial

MULTI-FAMILY DWELLINGS (they do not have a commercial category for rebates) 

Cash for Grass

$50 per 100 square feet of lawn area.  Limited to total of $100 for townhouses or condominiums, $50 for apartments.

Requirements include:

  • Replace the regularly mowed and automatically irrigated lawn with California native low water use plant material (see District Approved Plant List or Sonoma Marin saving water partnership list).
  • Mulch new landscape to a depth of at least 4 inches.
  • Agree not to re-install irrigated turf in the project area.

MMWD (Marin Municipal Water District)
They offer rebates for either residential or commercial property.

Smart Irrigation Controller Rebate – up to $100 for both residential or commercial

Landscape your lawn – (LYL) Turf Replacement Incentives – for residential or commercial

LYL Option 1: Rebate of $1/square foot of lawn replaced
Customers are reimbursed costs based on receipts submitted for eligible expenses, which include sheet mulching materials, drip irrigation components, and climate-appropriate plants.

LYL Option 2: Free sheet mulch material (cardboard, compost, mulch) and delivery, plus a free irrigation conversion kit
This option provides all the materials necessary to remove your existing lawn using a sheet mulch approach, as well as a component kit to convert existing overhead spray irrigation to high-efficiency drip irrigation.

Solano County Water Agency

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Smart Irrigation Controller Rebates

Rebates from $300, $700, or $1000 depending on the number of stations.

Link above has details or call 855-512-1221 for complete program details and to apply for the rebate. 

Water Efficient Landscape Rebate (program has been cancelled until further notice)

COMMERCIAL  

Smart Irrigation Controller Rebates

Rebates from $300, $700, or $1000 depending on the number of stations.

Link above has details or call 855-512-1221 for complete program details and to apply for the rebate.

LISTED BY CITY

Many Bay Area cities offer landscaping water conservation rebates. Below is a list of cities that offer these rebates:

Santa Rosa Water District
Both residential rebates and commercial rebates for turf replacement, irrigation efficiency improvement, and rainwater harvesting.

HOMES  

Cash for Grass

$0.50/sq. ft. up to max of 500 sq. ft. or $250.00

For more information and requirements. 

Irrigation Efficiency

up to $100.00 max for pre-qualified equipment/hardware

Equipment includes water conserving controllers.

For more information and requirements. 

COMMERCIAL  

Cash for Grass

$0.50/sq.ft.up to max of 5,000 sq.ft. or $2,500.00

For more information and requirements.

Irrigation Efficiency

up to $1,000.00 max per meter for pre-qualified equipment/hardware

Equipment includes water conserving controllers.

For more information and requirements.

City of Petaluma
The city of Petaluma provides Commercial, Industrial, and Institutional accounts as well as Multi-Family Residential accounts.  (No commercial rebates listed on the website)

Homes

Smart Irrigation Controller Rebates.

up to a $900 rebate for the purchase of a Smart Irrigation controller.

Download the Report

 

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Vegetation Management to Prevent Wildfire

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We are well into May – the official start of fire season.  It may be hiding behind the coattails of COVID-19, but we know it’s here.  In spite of recent rains (which we are grateful for), temperatures will heat up and dry weather will prevail for the next several months.

Like clockwork the call volume at Gardeners’ Guild’s has spiked with requests for weed abatement.  This is vegetation management – an essential part of fire prevention – and our topic for this month.  Our forty-plus years of experience managing vegetation inform this month’s content and make us a valuable resource for you.

A note about the pandemic and Gardeners’ Guild’s status

We are open now – since the state has determined that landscape activities are essential.   I hope this post finds you well. Please call us with any questions about our policy. 
(510) 439-3700.

As if you aren’t dealing with enough – the shock and overwhelm of a pandemic thrust upon you. Now, Californians, we enter summer with fire prevention added to our to-do list. 

This post is focused on vegetation management and its role in preventing wildfires.  We help you navigate this with simple and easy-to-digest basics. 

I’ve synthesized the essentials.

  • What vegetation management is, why it’s important now and actions you can take to minimize your risk of wildfire.
  • Scroll down to see a great video on Fire Wise landscaping and links to several county resources.
Tall Weeds

Combustible Weeds

Why is this important now?

Wildfire season 2020 threatens to be longer, with bigger fires unleashing more devastation.  Being educated and taking appropriate action now will help protect your investment, family, and neighbors.

Daniel Swain is a UCLA Climate Scientist and author of WeatherWest.com.  He studies extreme weather events and their causes.  I began following Swain during the drought and was in awe of his spot-on analysis of weather events. 

In a recent post on weatherwest.com, Swain said:

“the NIFC* is predicting a higher than average likelihood of large wildfires across NorCal by mid-summer–and I would expect that ultimately to be true into the autumn as well.” *NIFC or Nation Interagency Fire Center is a support center for wildland firefighting, located in Idaho. 

You may notice that your local fire department is requiring more engagement from you this year.  I’ve noticed some are scheduling inspections and amplifying their public education efforts.

Fiery sunsetNorth Bay Sunset – October 2017

The 3-R’s of Vegetation Management

Vegetation management is the process of controlling plant material to minimize the risk of fire ignition and spread. 

Removal

Of dead fuels (vegetation), weeds, brush, invasive species and plants deemed a fire accelerant. 

Reduction

Thinning heavy brush and trimming trees.  Crucial to reducing the spread and intensity of a wildfire.
Pruning shrubs and trees will provide adequate separation between them and away from your structure. 
Check with your local fire department for plant spacing requirements in your area.  The section below has a link on spacing tips for properties on a slope.

Replacement

Replace with fire resistant plants.  These plants should be non-oily, deciduous or have higher water content.  Make sure they are free of dead wood and well hydrated. 

Below are links to great tips including fire resistant plants

Steep Slope

Steep Slope in the North Bay

How to manage your vegetation depends on its location

Is your property in an at-risk area?
Check on the latest guidelines from your municipality or county.  They’re changing as the threat of wildfire becomes more extreme.  Below are tips for assessing your property’s wildfire risk.

Advice from Contra Costa County’s Wildfire Protection Plan
“Rigorous oversight, active management, and an adaptive approach are required to achieve fuel management goals.”

Especially at risk are WUI or Wildlife Urban Interface areas
Areas, where wildland and residential communities intersect, are at risk for wildfire.  Categorized as “high” or “very high” risk.  Contributing to this is a trend toward building more homes adjacent to open space. 

Parts of Marin, Contra Costa, and Sonoma Counties are considered “very high” or “high” risk. 

Is your property on a hillside?
Wildfires on a slope burn more rapidly and longer flame lengths than along flat ground.  The steeper the slope, the more quickly it will travel. 
Clearance between shrubs should be 4 to 40 feet depending on the slope and size of vegetation. 
Assess your property’s risk of wildfire exposure by looking at the slope of the land around your commercial building or home and the direction your building faces.  See these tips from FireSafe Marin if you are on a slope

Vegetation Management Activities

Manual – hand pulling or cutting

For smaller areas, this is sometimes preferred for removing the weed’s roots.

Mechanical treatments

Such as mowing of weeds
Selective tree removal

Chemical treatments with herbicides

The least desirable method, but sometimes warranted for large areas as part of an integrated pest management (IPM) plan. For weeds that are invasive and combustible.

Fire Break Work

Work usually performed on a hillside with equipment that creates a non-flammable gap between vegetation, acting as a barrier to stop the progress of a fire.

Managed Grazing

Generally used for large areas for fire breaks and to clear combustible weeds. Goats, miraculously suited to the job, forage for low lying grasses, weeds, trees, shrubs, branches and invasive vegetation.  They can also reach upwards of 4 to 5 feet to eat tree branches, which reduces “ladder fuels” and helps to slow spreading of a fire.  It’s a cost effective, environmentally friendly option and a joy to watch. 

Controlled Burns

The state of California says this about controlled burns:
“Sometimes called a controlled burn or prescribed fire, prescribed burning is one of the most important tools used to manage fire today. As catastrophic wildfires continue to be a growing concern in California, the use of prescribed burning to reduce hazardous fuels is projected to increase. Daily burn decisions are issued based on the forecast of air quality and meteorological conditions that can affect smoke dispersion.”

Managed Grazing

Managed Grazing Project

What you can do now

Know your property and its risk of wildfire
Make sure you have the most up to date information from your local fire department.  (See below for links).

Create a vegetation management plan that consists of the 3-R’s mentioned above
For removal or thinning, hire a landscape professional or an Arborist.

Begin defensible space planning
The links below have the latest requirements on defensible space.
We will also cover this topic in the summer.

Inspect your property
A letter to the Marin IJ’s editor, written by a Fire Ecologist has tips I wanted to pass along. He suggests that people still stuck at home could examine their property for dry debris within five feet of a structure’s foundation, especially under wooden stairs and decks.  The reason – embers from approaching fire target these areas. 

Call us with questions about vegetation management to prevent fires. 
(510) 439-3700.

See the video below on Fire Smart landscaping, narrated by a local Master Gardener.  Below the video are links for you.

The links below have the most up to date guidelines on reducing your risk. 

Wishing you good health.

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Landscape Renovation for Historic Building in San Francisco

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San Francisco’s oldest retirement community, called Heritage on the Marina, is a historic building, designed by California’s first woman architect and owned by one of the city’s oldest philanthropic organizations. Located in San Francisco’s Marina district, a neighborhood recognized for its iconic architecture.

Looking at the northeast corner of the property, you will see a small, but charming brick building, originally a groundskeepers’ quarters.  This month’s post chronicles our experience renovating the landscape. We also describe how we resolved two challenges.  

(See before photo below.)

Before renovation

Design Intent and Its First Challenge

The owner wanted to repurpose the building’s interior, then rejuvenate the landscape, which had declined as evidenced by overgrown vines, yellowing turf and poor grade definition.

Gardeners’ Guild was engaged to design and build the project.  Our objective was to transform the outdoor space into a small garden that could serve multiple functions: active gardening, areas for relaxation and pre-ambulation.

But, there was one challenge – limited space. 

This required that our design be creative and meticulous, in order to incorporate each design element. Moreover, the landscape needed to be reflective of the building’s character.  Our design featured a flat turf area for small outdoor gatherings, decomposed granite pathways that traversed around the building and raised planters for gardening projects. (See photo below)

 

Path and turf areas

The Landscape’s Second Challenge – To Complement the Building’s Character

The building’s historic elements called for ornamental plants, along with fencing and stonework.

Primary areas were scaled to the site by achieving minimum dimensions required for the intended use. Grading issues were resolved by the use of subtle retaining walls. Stone materials were carefully specified to match existing structures. (See photo below)

Historic Building Landscape

New Landscape for Historic Building

 

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SF Bay Area – Have Poinsettias Delivered to your office!

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Gardeners’ Guild will deliver Poinsettias to your SF Bay Area office

Having Poinsettias delivered will put a smile on your face. 
Your office mates will thank you.
Our interior division services San Francisco and the East Bay as well as Marin, Sonoma and Napa Counties.

Limited quantities available.  Order today.

Your poinsettia order options*

Either with or without maintenance
Sizes 4”,6” 8” or 10″ Poinsettia in a decorative foil sleeve
We will maintain them from November 28th through first week January
*A delivery charge may apply.  Replacements are at an additional cost.

Colors

Red, white, burgundy and pink

What you should know if you want to maintain them yourself.  

Poinsettias are temperamental need just the right light and moisture to last through the holidays.  This is why having a professional maintenance is the best option, especially for a commercial building.

They need strong indirect light, love moisture but not too much and warmish temperatures.  Avoid drafty areas.  Keep them inside.

Poinsettias aren’t poisonous but they can cause mild irrigation in puppies or kittens.  Best to keep them away.

And, they won’t harm people.  An Ohio State University study found that a 50-pound child would have to eat 500 leaves for any harmful effect to occur.

How to order

Contact Angela Wrath

Phone (510) 439-3707

Email awrath@gardenersguild.com

Read more

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Secrets of Gardening for Pollinators in the Bay Area

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Plants that attract pollinators

What’s Unique about Gardening for Pollinators in the Bay Area

Most important is plant types.  Because of the bay area microclimates, planting in the right environment is critical.  Plant vigor will be impacted by sun exposure, fog, heat, soil type and wind.  Learn about pollination in a stunning video (below) that catches them in the act.  Also below is an update on the status of our pollinators which explains why gardening for pollinators is so important now.

Below is a downloadable list of 9 plants for a pollinator-friendly garden.  The list shows their preferences for sun, soil, water; the pollinators they will attract, and bloom seasons.

Why Gardening for pollinators will help sustain our food supply

We depend on pollinators

Plants that produce seeds, flowers, fruits and vegetables depend on animals who perform the magic of moving the [male] pollen from one part of a plant to the [female] part. Thousands of pollinators exist, but the most common ones include bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, wasps, beetles, and wasps. 

Consider the Bumblebee.  They are lured by the scent of nectar and the color of an apple tree’s blossoms.  Flying from flower to flower, they find nectar to feed on. While enroute, pollen from the male part of the flower sticks to their body, signaling it’s time to move on and deliver their powdery stash to the female part of the flower.  That, in a nutshell, is fertilization!  Not exactly romantic, but, now the tree can produce fruit – and that’s pretty cool.

Pollinators are declining

The reason, is pollution, the loss of their natural habitat, and poisoning from pesticides.
Habitat loss happens as an outcome of urban and suburban development.  Read about the status of our most popular pollinators.

Bees
You’ve probably heard about the decline of Honeybees.  They are most prominent of all pollinators and integral to food production. Their loss has an impact on our supply. 

Native bees’ decline, however, is lesser known and has more severe implications.  As documented by the Center for Biological Diversity,  nearly 1 in 4 are at risk.  Moreover, the Center describes native bees as having a “crucial ecological role by pollinating wild plants and providing more than $3 billion in fruit-pollination services each year in the United States.”

The Monarch Butterfly (See our report on the Monarch below)
From 2017 to 2018 the Monarch’s population plunged dramatically – by 86 percent, according to a report by the Xerces Society, a non-profit dedicated to protecting pollinators and their habitats.  Their analysis shows that the decline has been consistent since the 1980s.  The once 4.5 million population dipped to 1 million by 1997.  

Other Pollinators are in trouble
The Center for Biological Diversity report found that globally, more than 40 percent of insect pollinators are at risk. 

Gardening for Pollinators will Help Reverse this Trend

You can help sustain our world’s food supply by creating a pollinator-friendly garden.  No matter your outdoor environment – rural, suburban, or urban area – you can create a habitat garden.  Besides the satisfaction of giving back, it will increase carbon sequestration and help prevent soil erosion.  If you plant edibles, you’ll reap the benefits of growing your own food!

Why Pollinators Like Native Plants Best 

They are undemanding and best adapted to your local climate.  The pollinators are well-acquainted with them, also.  Non-natives might not have sufficient nectar or pollen.  In fact, a UC Berkeley study found that 80 percent of natives attracted bees versus 8 percent non-natives.

Pollination in action – Captured on Video

Watch this gorgeous four-minute clip below.  It was shown at a TED conference in 2011.  Created by filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg, it documents the romance of pollinators and pollen.  See Louie Schwartzberg’s website.

9 Plants that SF Bay Area Pollinators Love

The graphic below is a link to a plant list pollinators love plus their needs for water, soil, and light. 

UC Davis also has a comprehensive plant list.
 

See Our Report on the Monarch Butterfly

The button below is a link to the report. It’s packed with information. Learn about the caterpillar’s essential food.

Download Button Saving the Monarch

Essential Planting Tips

Know the right plants for your environment.  If you live in the city you can grow a pollinator garden in containers.  All you need the right soil, plants and a plan for watering.  Either irrigation or hand-watering.  Keep in mind, effective hand-watering is time consuming.

The

Use these planting tips below.  They were adapted from an article written by Melissa Womack, a Master Gardener. 

  • Plant in clumps instead of singely.  This will help pollinators find your garden.
  • Plant multiple varieties of plants.
  • Design a garden with structure.  This means simply arranging with the tallest plants in the back, the smallest in the front.
  • Pollinators prefer the sun, so aim for areas with full sun. (6 hours)
  • Reduce of eliminate pesticide use in the landscape.  Beneficial insects are an alternative and effective pest management method.
  • Tips for nurturing your pollinators: provide a hummingbird feeder, clean water in a shallow dish or bowl and dead branches for bees and beetles to nest.

Sources for this post:

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