Water Conservation – Residential Landscaping

New Landscape Transformation Rebate Program Launched

About 50% of Oxnard’s drinking water is supplied through Calleguas Water District, a member agency of Metropolitan Water District of Southern California. As a sub-agency, Oxnard’s water customers are eligible for the generous rebate program available at bewaterwise.com since July 2018. The new program rewards landscape designs that incorporate water-saving plants, technology, irrigation systems and hardware. Transform your tired lawn into a beautiful, easy-care garden that is sustainable and can save a significant amount of water.

Rebates are $1 per square foot and are issued on a first-come, first-served basis until funding is exhausted. Watch this video to see how easy it is to apply online. Residential customers can also call (888) 376-3314 with questions and alternatively, can request a paper application for a landscape transformation rebate over the phone (habla Español).

Residential Landscape Transformation Program Fact Sheet

Other Landscape Rebates

Rotating Sprinkler Nozzles: Multi-trajectory, rotating streams apply water more slowly and uniformly to your landscape, encouraging healthy plant growth. Qualified sprinkler nozzles are eligible for $2 per nozzle, with a minimum of 30 nozzles per site.

Weather-Based Irrigation Controller: Allows for more accurate, customized irrigation by automatically adjusting the schedule and amount of water in response to changing weather conditions. Rebates start at $80/Controller for less than 1 acre of landscape and $35/Station for more than 1 acre of landscape.

Rainbarrels and Cisterns: Collecting and re-using rainwater for lawns and gardens minimizes the amount of water flowing into storm drains, sewer systems and local waterways. Plants and microbes prefer rainwater because it is naturally “soft” and free of chlorine, fluoride and other chemicals. Rebates start at $35 per barrel or $250 per cistern.

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California Friendly Landscape Training Series

Is your yard ready for an update or a total transformation? In cooperation with Metropolitan Water District, the water conservation program is launching a series of California Friendly Landscaping Training (CFLT) classes for residential water customers. Information about the new rebates will also be included during the session.

The first training is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, 2018 at the Performing Arts & Convention Center from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. More classes (including sessions in Spanish) will be announced soon for 2019.

The training is free but registration is required as space is limited. Register online here.

Sample Agenda

9:00 a.m. Introduction

• Where we get our water from
• Why we should make changes, a sustainable approach to gardening
• Rethinking elements of your site
• Right plant, right place

10:30 – 10:45 a.m. Break

• Using rain water as a resource
• Managing your irrigation
• Examples of California friendly gardens

11:45 a.m. Questions and Close

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Landscape Resources and Inspiration

Visit ventura.watersavingplants.com and find garden inspiration in virtual tours of real water wise gardens located right here in Oxnard and surrounding Ventura County communities.

• Search a database of 1,000’s of water saving plants appropriate for your specific landscape requirements.
• Print detailed reports of your plant selections to help you shop for your new plants.
• Learn simple, practical tips for improving the health of your landscape and garden.
• Be a trend setter in your neighborhood and showcase a gorgeous water wise garden.

Did you know?

The two biggest users of water in your home are toilets and landscape irrigation. In fact, during the summer months over half of all household water use is used outdoors.

California Friendly® Gardening

California-Friendly® landscaping is another resource that helps you select the best plants that thrive in our Southern California Mediterranean climate. Plants from regions with similar climates such as the Mediterranean Basin, Chile, Australia, and South Africa, flourish in our low rainfall region and are considered California Friendly®. For a comprehensive garden resources and how-to videos, visit bewaterwise.com.

Residential Landscape Brochure  – (1.7 MB)

Simple Steps to a Water Wise Garden

To create a lush and beautiful water wise garden, start by replacing portions of your water thirsty lawn with California Friendly plants, and follow these steps:

Planning and design: When selecting trees, shrubs, ground covers, perennials and annuals for your garden, look for those that naturally grow together and group them by water needs.

Turf (lawn):  In the front yard, consider new ways to increase curb appeal with minimal turf.  Green lawns are the thirstiest plant of all.  There are countless combinations of ground cover, shrubs, and perennials that can be use instead of turf.

Choose water wise plants:  The City of Oxnard has a Mediterranean climate, with an average annual rain fall of 14-16 inches.  Fortunately, there are many plants to choose from that are well suited to areas of low annual rainfall.  For more ideas, check out the gardening section at one of Oxnard’s Libraries and visit bewaterwise.com.

Improve soil:  Most soils in the Oxnard area are sandy or heavy clay and need to have organic matter added to improve their condition.  Compost and manure will help the soil absorb more water.  This is an important initial step and it will never be easier to do than before you begin planting.

Mulch:  Mulch provides a protective layer that when placed over the soil locks in moisture, moderates soil temperature and suppresses weeds.

Appropriate irrigation methods:  Most home landscapes receive more water than they need.  Instead of over watering, install an automatic irrigation system that can deliver water in adjustable increments.  Adjust sprinklers as suggested for each season.  Use drip irrigation where feasible to water specific plants without watering adjacent soil.  This will also help prevent run off.

Maintenance:  No garden is maintenance free.  Take pride in your water wise California Friendly garden, keep it free of weeds and prune your plants as needed.  When possible, use organic material to amend solid and fertilize plants.

California Friendly Demonstration Gardens Open to the Public

Visit one of Oxnard’s California Friendly® demonstration gardens and become inspired to create a water wise garden in your own home landscape. These demonstration gardens were funded by the Oxnard’s Water Division in partnership with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California.

California Friendly Garden Brochure    – (2.5 MB)

Last updated September 19, 2018