| In temperate Montecito, gardeners can
take year-around actions to maintain the beauty of gardens while decreasing water use. |
Choose
lower water-use
plants --- and group them
by thirstiness
This way, higher water use plants can be efficiently watered
in one area, lower water use plants in another area, and so forth. This saves water and
improves plant health. When purchasing plants, look
for the many new varieties that are beautiful, easy to maintain and use less water.
Water Efficiently
Over-watering is one of the most common gardening errors.
Water |
only when needed, not by the clock; remember to turn off
timers in winter when it rains.
Add
Mulch
A two to four-inch layer of mulch is attractive, keeps
down weeds, insulates the soil, and reduces moisture loss. |
A District/Contractor team effort saved up to $45,000 on
its renovation of a section of Juncal Dam. |
The District recently completed a renovation of the concrete walkway
on the dam at Jameson Lake, which is required to reach important monitoring equipment, and
the dam spillway. Up to
$45,000 Savings
In order to save costs on the approximately $100,000 project,
a District / contractor team shared the work. In addition, the contractor agreed to remain
at the remote site in order to save time and the cost of travel. The District also
conducted its own engineering on the project. These steps and others made it possible to
complete the project more rapidly and at a lower cost. |
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Fall 1998 
