SoCal Turf Removal Program Worked!
Before, After & Big $$$ Savings!
In a previous blog I shared the before photos on two areas of my property that qualified for the SoCal Water Smart Turf Removal & Rebate Program. I told you that I would do a follow up whence the project was completed.
Now after two action packed and fun filled months of planning, preparation and execution I'm proud to announce that we have completed our project one month early and came in under budget.
Before
Front middle section from the North Looking South
This area was about 1700sf of turf and Japanese Boxwood surrounding the Coral Tree. Both required moderate to heavy watering several times a week in order to keep its green lushness.
The outdoor lighting was older and more traditional with plastic fixtures and regular low voltage bulbs that were not only antiquated but in poor condition due to years of use and exposure to weather. It was replaced with low voltage LED spot and path copper lighting fixtures.
The above ground rotor spray irrigation system, nothing but a water waster as so much of the water evaporates even before it has a chance to service the coverage that it was designed for, was removed. It was replaced with a Netafim irrigation w/ a 12” spacing @ .09gal/hr drip system with a Hunter pro c time clock for maximum efficiency.
After
Front Middle Section from the North looking South
The turf and Japanese Boxwood have been removed and replaced with a variety of drought tolerant plants and succulents i.e. Aloe, Agave, colorful desert plants that once they start to grow and flourish will fill in the empty spaces grow in height and provide a beautiful and diverse array of color.
All of the old, warn and failing underground irrigation and low voltage lines were removed and replaced with new LED low voltage accent and pathway lighting.
However, the most important factor here is the drip system which is only designated to service the areas where new drought resistant specimens have been planted no more than two times per week.
Before
Front Side Section
This area was approximately 2100sf of turf that was removed and replaced with indigenous California drought resistant specimens.
At one time this area was lush with myriad, trees, plants, shrubs and flower gardens that required a tremendous amount of above ground rotary spray and old school drip irrigation along with a fair amount of hand watering. Notice how old and shoddy so much of this 35 to 75 year old landscape started looking after less than a year of very sparse watering.
What was once a very lush and tropical garden rife with Tupidanthus calyptratus # SCHEFFLERA pueckleri, Philodendron and both regular and giant Bird of Paradise along with myriad perpetually thirsty plants, shrubs and flowers eventually turned into what you see in this photo. One big ugly mess.
After
Front Side Section
Albeit it's not the lush tropical artificial landscape it once was it has been transformed into the more traditional and indigineous California that was so prevalent 100 years ago.
For those of you who are horticultural savvy I've provided a plant list but don't ask me to identify them because I'm still getting to know all my new and beautiful plants.
It's a whole new learning curve but within a couple of years much of what you see now will be maturing, filling in and growing. Some specimens will become overhead shrubs and hedges and trees which will conceal the sheds in the background and provide a privacy screen without obstructing our views.
Front Middle 2 weeks later
Already blooming and flowering. I awoke yesterday morning to these beautiful scenes. Notice the difference between the between the Japanese Boxwood and the indigenous blooming shrubs that will grow over head high within a few of years.
The photo below was one of the most fun moments of my Sunday morning. Beautiful flowering Cacti which I bought over 15 years ago from a local Cacti grower just down the hill from me. Over the years I've just taken cuttings from the various specimens.
I spotted it from my bed. What a treat!
Front side two weeks later
This once again was a surprise and a real treat to awake to as our bed looks directly out at this lovely view. Notice the copper path light fixture at the bottom right and the spot light up under the Tupidanthus Tree.. This will eventually provide a natural patina that will further enhance the naturalness of the land.
And once again the photo below was literally less than 20 feet from our bed. I didn't even have to lift my head off the pillow.
So for those Calies, especially SoCalies, who need to look for alternatives this is definitely the answer. When we received a couple of 8 to 9 hundred dollar water bills last summer it finally got our attention.
We shut our water off and let the grass die out and figured any plants and trees that survived were living off of water from the deep seeded root systems that know how to find water and survive or didn't need a lot of watering.
We'd like to extend a very special thanks to Susanna Pagan, owner of Susanna Pagen Landscape and Design. She was a pleasure to work and has an uncanny attention to detail. I'd recommend her anytime to anyone. She thoroughly understands the entire transformation process of converting your costly landscape into a thriving and beautiful work of art.
I would also like to than Carlos, owner of Blue Water Landscaping in Encinitas, CA. He's a very talented and creative organizer and facilitator and made this wonderful design a reality. Additionally, the real value added is that he also provides the ongoing maintenance which will be minimal as this particular landscape requires little maintenance.
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