Water conservation experts suggest watering your yard in the morning or evening for 10 minutes to avoid the sun's strong heat which accelerates evaporation.

 Please don't let it
dry or die!

Keeping your Landscaping, Lawn
and Plant Life Green and Alive

Cut back on watering your
landscaping - but don't stop
altogether!

(View this information in
Spanish & Chinese languages)

It doesn’t take long for lawns and gardens to turn brown during the heat of summer, leaving some residents confused about the issue of watering in light of media reports about restrictions on water use and water rationing.

These announcements have caused some good-intentioned Alhambra residents to stop watering altogether, leaving their lawn and landscaping to become dry and turn brown—and to subsequently die. As a result they are at risk of receiving a Code Enforcement violation notice. Since no restrictions have been placed on water use, it is expected that residents will maintain their properties and nurture ground cover to keep it in its green or natural state.

The City also recognizes the need and urgency for water conservation and smart watering, which is a good policy to follow even in non-drought years. For the past decade, the City has required only VOLUNTARY conservation measures. Some neighboring water systems, due to their own unique challenges, may have had to notify their customers of MANDATORY water conservation requirements; however, Alhambra has not reached that point. Residents are simply urged to follow prudent use and conservation measures as noted below.

Meanwhile, the City Utilities Department is committed to careful resource management, planning for the future, and is working towards regional long-term solutions.

Ten tips for keeping your landscaping green while being prudent about water use

1. Water your yard in the morning or evening for 10 minutes to avoid the strong heat of the sun that accelerates evaporation.
2. Reduce sprinkler use during the rainy season and consider using native and drought-tolerant plants in your garden to reduce outdoor water consumption.
3. Adjust your lawn mower to a higher setting. Longer grass shades root systems and holds soil moisture better than a closely clipped lawn.
4. Don’t water until plants need it. Dig down several inches near the base of the plant. If the soil is bone dry, that’s your cue to water. Also, when a plant begins to show signs of wilting, especially in the morning, it probably needs water.
5. Deep soak each time you water. Watering deeply and infrequently creates a healthy root system that can better withstand heat and drought.
6. Install irrigation devices that are the most water efficient for each use.
7. Use watering cans, whenever possible, especially when watering just a few patio plants. Watering with a hose may actually put more water on the patio than in the containers as you move from plant to plant. 
8. Use a layer of organic mulch around plants to reduce evaporation and save water. 
9. Remember to weed your lawn and garden regularly. Weeds compete with other plants for nutrients, light, and water.  
10. Attend a smart gardening workshop and learn about ways to get a great looking yard while using less water, energy and wasting fewer resources. For additional information, visit www.smartgardening.com. You can also take an online class at your leisure. Free mini- and in-depth tutorials are offered on topics such as irrigation systems, watering and fertilizing, basic landscape design and plant identification. For more information, visit www.bewaterwise.com. 
     
    All residents and business persons are also alerted to the following email site: waterwatcher@cityofalhambra.org - to which the public can report areas of concern where water may be wasted. (The site is monitored by the City's Utilities Department.)