California water restrictions?

[ExperimentalGrower]

We’re exiting one of the driest winters on record in California and again facing more drought. How are Californians north and south coping? What do you do to ensure your palmy landscape gets enough water? 

I’m in my second year of a new subtropical  landscape design at my new house and now all I can think about is whether or not many of the plants I’m installing are going to die this summer. Not a fun thought. I’m incorporating some drought tolerant species into the design but let’s be honest- many of the palms we know and love would rather have a good drink regularly in the heat, especially in their first and second year in the ground.

How do you and your plants cope and do you have any tips or advice as we enter another hot summer? 

[amh]

I'm on water restrictions in perpetuity, so during droughts, you just have to keep things alive. Mulch and shade are your friend and a homemade watering can can be inconspicuous to the narcs.

Enjoy your landscape during spring and fall, while pouting and planning during the summer.

[Silas_Sancona]

Clock is ticking before this becomes mandatory across the Southwest/ CA..  All for it myself.
https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/las-vegas-pushes-ban-ornamental-grass-77006404

Lawns are outdated / waste of space anyway..
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-american-obsession-with-lawns?utm_source=pocket-newtab

[ExperimentalGrower]

13 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Clock is ticking before this becomes mandatory across the Southwest/ CA..  All for it myself.
https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/las-vegas-pushes-ban-ornamental-grass-77006404

Lawns are outdated / waste of space anyway..
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-american-obsession-with-lawns?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Ya lawns have no place in my landscape. My questions purely pertain to my landscape install with other plants that aren’t grass.

[Silas_Sancona]

1 minute ago, ExperimentalGrower said:

Ya lawns have no place in my landscape. My questions purely pertain to my landscape install with other plants that aren’t grass.

True.. but worth mentioning. For your situation, focus on mulch and intensive drip irrigation.. A main focus during a landscape certification course i'd taken several years ago.  Lots of drought tolerant, but subtropical looking options out there to look for too. Just be glad it should never get as hot ( or dry ) there like it does here..

[ExperimentalGrower]

1 hour ago, Silas_Sancona said:

True.. but worth mentioning. For your situation, focus on mulch and intensive drip irrigation.. A main focus during a landscape certification course i'd taken several years ago.  Lots of drought tolerant, but subtropical looking options out there to look for too. Just be glad it should never get as hot ( or dry ) there like it does here..

Ya I can imagine in Texas it gets super hot, continuously. It gets warm/hot in my part of the Bay Area, but the super hot days only last in short stretches. You must see 100+ days there regularly huh?

[Silas_Sancona]

3 minutes ago, ExperimentalGrower said:

Ya I can imagine in Texas it gets super hot, continuously. It gets warm/hot in my part of the Bay Area, but the super hot days only last in short stretches. You must see 100+ days there regularly huh?

Arizona, but yes, pretty hot lol..  Grew up just down the road from you in south San Jose and actually wished it was consistently warmer during the summer there. Nothing compared to 105-115 ( sometimes 115++ ) from June until ..at least.. the 2nd week in September though. 90s hang around until mid October / early Nov. here as well.  Humidity only gets above 35-40% if, or when it rains.. otherwise 20% -or less-, all summer.  Drought in CA is bad enough, real rough here atm. Already had several big wildfires. Normally have another month or so before that becomes a concern.

Forgot to mention.. if allowed to do so there in Vallejo ( don't see why it wouldn't be promoted.. ), might look into rainwater harvesting, if you're not already doing so / considering.  While focused on doing this in Tucson, some really good books out devoted to other water harvesting techniques that can be applied anywhere.

[ExperimentalGrower]

9 minutes ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Arizona, but yes, pretty hot lol..  Grew up just down the road from you in south San Jose and actually wished it was consistently warmer during the summer there. Nothing compared to 105-115 ( sometimes 115++ ) from June until ..at least.. the 2nd week in September though. 90s hang around until mid October / early Nov. here as well.  Humidity only gets above 35-40% if, or when it rains.. otherwise 20% -or less-, all summer.  Drought in CA is bad enough, real rough here atm. Already had several big wildfires. Normally have another month or so before that becomes a concern.

Forgot to mention.. if allowed to do so there in Vallejo ( don't see why it wouldn't be promoted.. ), might look into rainwater harvesting, if you're not already doing so / considering.  While focused on doing this in Tucson, some really good books out devoted to other water harvesting techniques that can be applied anywhere.

Whoops my bad, thought you were in TX, that was someone else above. Ya you guys define what “hot” means in AZ, no joke. 
 

Pretty sure rain barrels are ok here. Definitely on my eventual to-do list.

[Silas_Sancona]

Just now, ExperimentalGrower said:

Whoops my bad, thought you were in TX, that was someone else above. Ya you guys define what “hot” means in AZ, no joke. 
 

Pretty sure rain barrels are ok here. Definitely on my eventual to-do list.

Its all good.. There's actually a Chandler in TX as well.  Heat here is no joke for sure. Not gonna miss it. ( though it can visit, occasionally )

[James B]

Apparently we are good in Socal. But at what point do we spend some money on desalination? There is this body of water 50 miles east of me. It’s the largest body of water on the planet. Time to step it up California.

[PricklyPearSATC]

My palms in San Antonio require no supplemental water

Here are things that I cannot keep alive due to our heat and drought:
Split leaf philodendron
Fatsia japonica
Bananas
Cannas
Perennial hibiscus

I've also killed alot of things due to drought, but my palms seem to need about as much as water as a yucca. 

 

Palms I grow:
Sabal minor (swamp native)
Native Needle palm (from the SE US )
Med fan palm
Livistona chinesis
Trachycarpus

 

Also my cycads require no supplemental water

Edited April 22, 2021 by PricklyPearSATC

[Silas_Sancona]

2 minutes ago, PricklyPearSATC said:

Here are things that I cannot keep alive due to our heat and drought:
Split leaf philodendron
Fatsia japonica
Bananas
Cannas
Perennial hibiscus
 

Interesting, While i've yet to see any Fatsia planted here, plenty of Hibiscus ( Best if given afternoon shade.. Many do look rough after the summer though.. ) Cannas are do-able provided the same conditions as Hibiscus, same w/ Gingers.. Bananas are easy, though they get beat up from summer storm -related wind events.  There's a nursery in South Phoenix i visited -once- that had massive Bananas, ..in full sun.

Split leaf Philodendron ( Monstera ) is another i haven't personally seen planted here, but imagine there are a few around( sold as house plants occasionally ). Used to pass a home on my way to/from work that had a large ( for Phoenix ) Phil. selloum in a planter up against the house. Looked like it got shifting shade through most of the day.  In CA, these things do fine on very little water. ( but look fuller when spoiled )

[thallo]

I’m installing drip for my front garden palms in San Francisco right now. I’m using 2gph drip emitters and emitterline so I can deep water once or twice a week for 1-2hrs per advice from this site

My next project is to go back and replace the bubblers I installed in my backyard irrigation last year with drip emitters. I’m changing the schedule from 15mins every third day  to 1-2 hours once a week (when I have the 2gph emitters in place)

I really regret rushing into the purchase of a large Rhopalostylis sapida 2.5 years ago. I love it but I feel guilty watering it as much as it needs to look good. I’m hoping the drip will be way more efficient at deep watering than my hand-watering routine. I wish I had selected a Parajubaea instead haha! I do get summer fog, humidity, and lower temps that help slow evaporation in summer months

I also capture the water that runs in my shower before it heats up. I almost fill a 2g watering can from the shower alone each day. I use that water on my hellstrip Butia, sidewalk garden, and potted palms. 

I’ve had great success with TreeGator watering bags and that’s what Friends of the Urban Forest use on newly planted street trees in SF

I’m considering installing a greywater laundry-to-landscape system for some king palms in the backyard. It would be nice for that water to be an extra “treat” on top of a drip regimen
 

Edited April 22, 2021 by thallo
Correct gph

[Silas_Sancona]

9 minutes ago, thallo said:

I also capture the water that runs in my shower before it heats up. I almost fill a 2g watering can from the shower alone each day. I use that water on my hellstrip Butia, sidewalk garden, and potted palms. 

I’ve had great success with TreeGator watering bags and that’s what Friends of the Urban Forest use on newly planted street trees in SF

I’m considering installing a greywater laundry-to-landscape system for some king palms in the backyard. It would be nice for that water to be an extra “treat” on top of a drip regimen
 

Idea for Graywater irrigation should be promoted more ( if it isn't already out there )

One thing they're doing in Tucson, that i imagine will start becoming more widespread is all newer street island / parking lot construction / rehabilitation projects must be constructed in a matter that draws all runoff into the planting areas that are dug down instead of raised above the height of say a sidewalk / parking lot. Have seen some of these newer planting areas when down there and they actually look better than your typical street island.  Despite how bad the drought has been here, plants in those areas look better too.

More people down there have also been getting permission from the city  to " cut the curb " -so to say- to draw street runoff into their hellstrips, or front yard areas. Might not work in say Downtown San Francisco / San Jose, Los Angeles  but something which should be implemented in all suburban areas. Might not be the perfect solution, but would help no doubt.

[WaianaeCrider]

9 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

Clock is ticking before this becomes mandatory across the Southwest/ CA..  All for it myself.
https://abcnews.go.com/Lifestyle/wireStory/las-vegas-pushes-ban-ornamental-grass-77006404

Lawns are outdated / waste of space anyway..
https://getpocket.com/explore/item/the-american-obsession-with-lawns?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Gave up on lawns about 25 years ago and we have no water restrictions.  They are just a pain.  So much nicer to have beds w/curved walks and lot of trees and bushes.

 

[WaianaeCrider]

Aren't there some locations where it is  illegal to catch rain water?  The government says you are STEALING water that would run off and be used elsewhere?

[Silas_Sancona]

1 minute ago, WaianaeCrider said:

Gave up on lawns about 25 years ago and we have no water restrictions.  They are just a pain.  So much nicer to have beds w/curved walks and lot of trees and bushes.

 

Pain to maintain, 'Real pain to install.. Valuable lesson anyone in the Landscape/ Hort. trade should spend a couple years doing. ( Hint, you'll really hate lawns, lol )

[Silas_Sancona]

4 minutes ago, WaianaeCrider said:

Aren't there some locations where it is  illegal to catch rain water?  The government says you are STEALING water that would run off and be used elsewhere?

Some places have tried to but dropped the idea after massive push back.

[GottmitAlex]

4 hours ago, James B said:

Apparently we are good in Socal. But at what point do we spend some money on desalination? There is this body of water 50 miles east of me. It’s the largest body of water on the planet. Time to step it up California.

Green new deal? 

[Johnny Palmseed]

9 hours ago, James B said:

Apparently we are good in Socal. But at what point do we spend some money on desalination? There is this body of water 50 miles east of me. It’s the largest body of water on the planet. Time to step it up California.

 

East?

[James B]

2 hours ago, Johnny Palmseed said:

East?

Lol my apologies. 

[Ben in Norcal]

Drip, mulch, and ripping out my lawn in favor of artificial turf have all helped.  I spend less on water now than when I had a measly patch of crappy turf.  It just gets too hot here, too often, to keep grass looking nice given we get zero rain during the growing season.

[thallo]

11 hours ago, WaianaeCrider said:

Aren't there some locations where it is  illegal to catch rain water?  The government says you are STEALING water that would run off and be used elsewhere?

Yes, San Francisco is one of these locations. Capturing rain requires a permit ... and associated permit fees, of course! The reasoning is ridiculous because they assert you’re taking clean rainwater from entering the system. But that same system wasn’t designed to handle the extreme runoff we get from all the concrete. Rainwater drains into the sewer system and when it becomes overwhelmed, raw UNTREATED sewage (along with rainwater) is discharged directly into the ocean!

As if the rains we get are “clean” after they touch concrete roads/roofs with up to 8 MONTHS of soot, engine oil, urine, car emissions, and wildfire ash 

to be fair, the city does offer some offsets on the permit fee and equipment like rain barrels if your application is approved. I haven’t bothered yet because we receive so little rainfall these days and it’s tainted by wildfire ash that accumulates during the prolonged dry season. 

12 hours ago, Silas_Sancona said:

One thing they're doing in Tucson, that i imagine will start becoming more widespread is all newer street island / parking lot construction / rehabilitation projects must be constructed in a matter that draws all runoff into the planting areas that are dug down instead of raised above the height of say a sidewalk / parking lot. Have seen some of these newer planting areas when down there and they actually look better than your typical street island.  Despite how bad the drought has been here, plants in those areas look better too.

They have started something similar in San Francisco except these sub-street level gardens are built to capture runoff and direct it into caches that filter the water through soil and plants (versus the water pooling in low areas or rushing directly into the sewer and then into the ocean). These gardens look nice and are growing in popularity. The only problem I’ve seen is the massive amount of trash that accumulates in the areas. Some neighbors manage that themselves but others seem somewhat untended. 

https://www.sfbetterstreets.org/find-project-types/greening-and-stormwater-management/stormwater-overview/bioretention-rain-gardens/

 

[Silas_Sancona]

8 minutes ago, thallo said:

Yes, San Francisco is one of these locations. Capturing rain requires a permit ... and associated permit fees, of course! The reasoning is ridiculous because they assert you’re taking clean rainwater from entering the system. But that same system wasn’t designed to handle the extreme runoff we get from all the concrete. Rainwater drains into the sewer system and when it becomes overwhelmed, raw UNTREATED sewage (along with rainwater) is discharged directly into the ocean!

As if the rains we get are “clean” after they touch concrete roads/roofs with up to 8 MONTHS of soot, engine oil, urine, car emissions, and wildfire ash 

to be fair, the city does offer some offsets on the permit fee and equipment like rain barrels if your application is approved. I haven’t bothered yet because we receive so little rainfall these days and it’s tainted by wildfire ash that accumulates during the prolonged dry season. 

They have started something similar in San Francisco except these sub-street level gardens are built to capture runoff and direct it into caches that filter the water through soil and plants (versus the water pooling in low areas or rushing directly into the sewer and then into the ocean). These gardens look nice and are growing in popularity. The only problem I’ve seen is the massive amount of trash that accumulates in the areas. Some neighbors manage that themselves but others seem somewhat untended. 

https://www.sfbetterstreets.org/find-project-types/greening-and-stormwater-management/stormwater-overview/bioretention-rain-gardens/

 

A bit surprised San Francisco would be a bit restrictive on water harvesting/ conservation measures. San Jose was promoting it tooth and nail awhile back. I actually had a conversation with someone who'ed come into the nursery i'd worked for, looking to see if we wanted to promote their rain barrels. Might still have the company's business card.. anyhow,  With all the talk about runoff discharge into the bay/ other waterways, i'd think all local officials involved would be quite receptive to serious research/ consideration/ promotion of.. any ideas that would lessen runoff into the system, as best as realistically possible anyway.

Here in Chandler ( and other parts of Phoenix/ the region )  you'll see a lot of landscaped catch basins in/ near commercial / medical/ newer residential developments where storm runoff is directed. In some neighborhoods, such areas are typically the only non- residential places where you will see grass and serve as neighborhood green spaces / parks.

 

Believe part of this effort accelerated here after the September flood event back in 2014. While it's hard to imagine when standing out in the front yard, apparently the major intersections close to me were under up to 2ft of water and impassible after that storm. Most people recall the images of the I-10 near downtown under several feet of water though.  More development of these catch basins were implemented to hopefully keep a similar situation from occurring again, or at least negate the worst scenario.  Which brings up the subject of what may lie ahead out here/ in CA...  longer droughts and shorter, but more intense rains -when they fall, which could place more potential strain on already near / over capacity drainage infrastructure.

Allowing people to collect and/or divert street runoff, without the red tape, would at least help to reduce the strain during such events... and benefit the thirstier things in our landscapes.

[Patrick]

I've used drip irrigation for many years. It's pretty successful at keeping my rates/ useage low.  Lowes has bubblers that I really like...

 

I also like the Orbit 8 port adjustable heads...

[ExperimentalGrower]

1 hour ago, Patrick said:

I've used drip irrigation for many years. It's pretty successful at keeping my rates/ useage low.  Lowes has bubblers that I really like...

 

I also like the Orbit 8 port adjustable heads...

Ya I’ve got an Orbit irrigation system and have been looking at those heads that allow them to be converted to drip dispensers/emitters. Seems like the thing to do.

[thallo]

It’s getting crazy! Healdsburg announced a ban on drip irrigation

drip irrigation included in business and residential sprinkler ban

[Tyrone]

The news of the Californian drought has made it to the news in Australia. It doesn’t look good. 

[Silas_Sancona]

10 minutes ago, Tyrone said:

The news of the Californian drought has made it to the news in Australia. It doesn’t look good. 

Nope, esp. now that Lake Mead has dropped past the critical mark, and will continue dropping, until.......  Lowest level since the thing was completed, in the late 1930's. Gonna get ugly fast if things get worse.

Edited June 14, 2021 by Silas_Sancona
edit

[ExperimentalGrower]

1 hour ago, thallo said:

It’s getting crazy! Healdsburg announced a ban on drip irrigation

drip irrigation included in business and residential sprinkler ban

Wow that’s the most extreme step I’ve ever seen. I guess when your water comes from that single source that’s nearly depleted that’s what you get.

Zero restrictions so far in place for Solano County. Fingers crossed. :E

[WaianaeCrider]

On 4/21/2021 at 10:43 AM, ExperimentalGrower said:

Ya lawns have no place in my landscape. My questions purely pertain to my landscape install with other plants that aren’t grass.

Yea NO lawn here either.  Not for the past 30 years.  Big waste of water.

[amh]

Start harvesting the condensation from your air conditioner and if you have the infrastructure, your washing machine too.

[WaianaeCrider]

1 hour ago, amh said:

Start harvesting the condensation from your air conditioner and if you have the infrastructure, your washing machine too.

I have been diverting and using shower and laundry water for the past 40 years.

[BigWaveDav3]

Put a 5 gallon bucket in your shower (or two if you have old plumbing) and fill them while waiting for the hot water instead of letting it run down the drain

Also, during water restrictions there is usually a provision for hand watering or drip systems. 

[Josue Diaz]

Mulch and water. And more mulch. 

[ExperimentalGrower]

Just now, Josue Diaz said:

Mulch and water. And more mulch. 

Exactly. Mulch is key. For so many reasons, let alone water savings.

[sonoranfans]

After living in southern(3yrs) and northern california(4yrs) last decade, it appeared only a matter of time before this happened.  ~40 million people living in mostly desert/desert seacoast with very low rainfall was going to dry up the colorado sooner or later.  Add in arizona and utah and nevada and you have 4 states using the water from the colorado.  I feel concerned for the wildfire season as we were there in 2018 for the big fires in santa rosa area.   Maybe the state should use its massive 150 billion covid funding windfall for desalination, its really the future there.  But, I dont expect that, I doubt they have a vision for the future.  More likely friends of politicians are already lined up.

[ExperimentalGrower]

43 minutes ago, sonoranfans said:

After living in southern(3yrs) and northern california(4yrs) last decade, it appeared only a matter of time before this happened.  ~40 million people living in mostly desert/desert seacoast with very low rainfall was going to dry up the colorado sooner or later.  Add in arizona and utah and nevada and you have 4 states using the water from the colorado.  I feel concerned for the wildfire season as we were there in 2018 for the big fires in santa rosa area.   Maybe the state should use its massive 150 billion covid funding windfall for desalination, its really the future there.  But, I dont expect that, I doubt they have a vision for the future.  More likely friends of politicians are already lined up.

Was just having this conversation with someone earlier today. Desalination is the future. They need to invest in the research to bring down the cost and energy consumption, stat.

[Silas_Sancona]

31 minutes ago, sonoranfans said:

After living in southern(3yrs) and northern california(4yrs) last decade, it appeared only a matter of time before this happened.  ~40 million people living in mostly desert/desert seacoast with very low rainfall was going to dry up the colorado sooner or later.  Add in arizona and utah and nevada and you have 4 states using the water from the colorado.  I feel concerned for the wildfire season as we were there in 2018 for the big fires in santa rosa area.   Maybe the state should use its massive 150 billion covid funding windfall for desalination, its really the future there.  But, I dont expect that, I doubt they have a vision for the future.  More likely friends of politicians are already lined up.

Being a true Californian ( born and raised ), a majority of California -and a fare share of the Southwest's water issues aren't  solely based on " Because it is dry out there for the amount of people living there " ..It has more to do with wasteful actions by many of the people there thinking they can have an Amazon rain forest in their yard ..let alone lush, east coast -type Lawns.. Golf courses included..  Add to this deciding such areas are the best spots for growing very water intensive crops ..and not utilizing the most up to date, modern means of sustaining them.. or just simply switching to something else more appropriate for the region all together.. 

Already happening that farmers here -who will likely loose a good chunk of their Co. River allocations at some point soon- are digging deeper wells ..in some cases below 900' ..which is already having effects on the local environment ..which is far more important that Alfalfa and Almonds..  and forcing people living in more rural parts of the state ( Southern AZ esp. ) to go loose water entirely.. 

As far as Desal.. Great idea, but, where does all that salty brine end up? esp. on the level needed to keep up with over exuberant water demands? Into the Sea? Not sure that is the best option..

Conserving resources, and moving some place wet.. if you want your own Amazon Jungle, is a more appropriate first step..

As far as state politics, Guaranteed i could unload on some places i have lived back east.

[Jim in Los Altos]

Voluntary 15% reduction based on customer’s 2019 water usage here. Nothing mandatory yet. I’ve not bothered with rain harvesting because all our rain falls in the winter months when I don’t need to irrigate and when I do need to irrigate, the stored water would last maybe a few days and then that’s it. We get no rain late spring to mid autumn when harvesting water would be beneficial and useful so the water catchalls would be empty all summer.