What is the Watershed Approach to Landscaping?

Your front yard is where you meet the global environment. Design, install, and manage your landscape using the Watershed Approach. The result is a gorgeous living space that functions as a healthy mini-watershed: sequestering atmospheric carbon, preventing water and air pollution, restoring the hydration and life of the soil, and attracting essential life into the garden. Making your landscape Watershed Wise is no more expensive or difficult than making any landscape; it just takes a little know-how and practice.

  1. Build Healthy Living Soil
  2. Capture Rainwater As A Resource
  3. Select Local, Climate-Appropriate Plants
  4. Use Highly Efficient Irrigation Only When Necessary

What Does “Watershed Approach” Really Mean?

Watershed Approach 1

In a healthy balanced watershed, rainwater passes through plants and healthy living soil, before moving into our local waterways or going back into the sky to form clouds.  Plants and soil make a huge sponge and filter for water; this keeps our earth green and water abundant.

Watershed Approach 5

These are the four key elements of the Watershed Approach to landscaping – that is, making every landscape a healthy balanced watershed, regardless of size or location.

Watershed Approach 4

Every single property (residential, commercial, public, large or small) can be treated like a mini-watershed. That means every landscape can be restored or designed, built and managed using the four principles of the Watershed Approach.

Step 1 – Build Healthy Living Soil

Watershed Approach 6

Soil is Alive! Let’s keep it that way by nurturing the billions of microbes, fungi and macroarthropods that create spongey soil and cycle nutrients for plants.

Watershed Approach 7

Our landscape, building and agriculture practices have killed the soil. Without healthy living soil, our landscapes will NEVER be healthy watersheds. We need to build up the carbon in our soil before we do anything else in our gardens.

Watershed Approach 7

Add organic matter in the form of good compost or worm castings to the soil AND mulch heavily (no less than 2″, and in dry climates, 4″) with mixed leaf and wood mulch, or keep leaves from existing plants in place. This “organic pizza” keeps the Soil Party going strong.

Step 2 – Capture Rainwater As a Resource

Watershed Approach 8

Every hard surface, like your roof, generates valuable rainwater for your landscape. A 1,000 sq. ft. roof gives you 620 gallons of water for every 1 inch of rain!

Watershed Approach 9

Living Soil creates far more storage capacity than any cistern or barrel ever could, though barrels are good for slowing down the water so it can be captured in the landscape.

Watershed Approach 10

Every landscape should be contoured to receive the rainwater. That means NO FLAT YARDS!

Step 3 – Select Local Climate Appropriate Plants

Watershed Approach 12

Climate appropriate plants are adapted to the specific conditions where you live. The best plants are natives that have evolved with the soils, topography, climate, birds, and insects of your place. In dry places, select plants that require the least amount of supplemental water.

Watershed Approach 13

Aesthetics and beauty are not sacrificed when we select climate appropriate plants.

Watershed Approach 13

Local native plants also attract wildlife to your garden. If you want butterflies and birds, you’ve got to put the local natives in your landscape.

Step 4 – Use Highly Efficient Irrigation Only When Necessary

Watershed Approach 14

Highly efficient irrigation such as drip or rotating sprinkler nozzles is used ONLY when absolutely necessary to provide supplemental water (more than rain).

Watershed Approach 14

Control devices such as “smart” irrigation controllers or soil moisture sensors that use climate and soil moisture data to change days and run times for irrigation systems, and pressure regulation that reduces the system’s incoming water pressure to ensure optimal performance, are a few key components of efficient irrigation.

Watershed Approach 14

Human system management is a key component to irrigation efficiency.  Reduce water waste (dry weather runoff and overspray) by observing when water runs off the property and adjusting the irrigation controller to cycle multiple short run times with 30 – 60 minute soak times between. This is critical in heavy clay soil or sloped yards.

Cha, Cha, Cha – Pay Attention to Your Parkway Too!

Watershed Approach 11

Parkways (areas between sidewalks and street) are an excellent place to practice the Watershed Approach because they are often turf-covered with irrigation that oversprays and wastes water.

Watershed Approach 11

Turf grass can be replaced with evergreen and low water requiring walkable groundcover, like this Fragaria chilosensis (Beach strawberry.)

Watershed Approach 11

Think outside of the curb!  Curbs can be cut to allow water into the parkway area, slowing it down, spreading it out, and sponging it for the benefit of any trees or plants.

Register for Upcoming Classes

Date Time Event City / Town
04/02/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Drip Irrigation Fundamentals Virtual
04/03/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Turf: Remove, Replace or Maintain it Organically Virtual
04/04/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Webinar Virtual
04/06/2024 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape - IN PERSON, Calleguas MWD Thousand Oaks
04/06/2024 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Drought Tolerant Plants, IN PERSON, City of Long Beach_WRD Long Beach
04/09/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Birds, Bees and other Pollinators - USGV Virtual
04/09/2024 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Garden Design Workshop Virtual
04/10/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape - IN PERSON, Santa Margarita / Moulton Niguel Water Districts Mission Viejo
04/10/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Rainwater Harvesting Virtual
04/11/2024 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Garden Design Part 1 - Monterey Virtual
04/11/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Goodbye Grass: Qualify for a Turf Replacement Rebate Virtual
04/16/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Turf: Remove, Replace or Maintain it Organically Virtual
04/18/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Webinar Virtual
04/18/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Resilient Alternatives to Removing Turf - California American Water Virtual
04/20/2024 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM Garden Design - IN PERSON, City of Long Beach Long Beach
04/22/2024 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Small Space Gardening, IN PERSON, Norwalk Senior Center_WRD Norwalk
04/23/2024 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Design Part 2, Gardening for Shade and Other Landscape Challenges - Monterey Virtual
04/23/2024 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM Garden Design Workshop Virtual
04/24/2024 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Edible Gardening, IN PERSON, Douglas F. Dollarhide Community Center_WRD Compton
04/24/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Webinar Virtual
04/25/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Goodbye Grass: Qualify for a Turf Replacement Rebate Virtual
04/25/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Landscape Transformation on a Budget - USGV Virtual
04/30/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Turf: Remove, Replace or Maintain it Organically Virtual
05/01/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Watershed Wise Landscaping - Bozeman, MT Virtual
05/02/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Drip Irrigation Fundamentals - California American Water Virtual
05/04/2024 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM Garden Design Workshop - IN PERSON, Rancho Water Temecula
05/08/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Webinar Virtual
05/08/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Protecting the Trees - Bozeman, MT Virtual
05/08/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Turf: Remove, Replace or Maintain - IN PERSON, Santa Margarita / Moulton Niguel Water Districts Mission Viejo
05/09/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Gardens for Birds, Bees, and Other Pollinators - Monterey Virtual
05/11/2024 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Webinar Virtual
05/11/2024 10:00 AM - 11:15 AM Turf: Remove, Replace or Maintain it Organically - IN PERSON, City of Fullerton Fullerton
05/11/2024 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Waterfest 2024: Mini-Design Consultations - USGV Arcadia
05/15/2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM SoCal Gas Pro Series - Firescaping: Reducing the Vulnerability Virtual
05/15/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Turf: Remove, Replace, Maintain (Organically) - Bozeman, MT Virtual
05/18/2024 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Garden Design - Bozeman, MT Virtual
05/21/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Drip Irrigation Fundamentals - Monterey Virtual
05/22/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Drip Irrigation Fundamentals - Bozeman, MT Virtual
05/25/2024 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Turf: Remove, Replace, Maintain - IN PERSON, City of Long Beach Long Beach
05/29/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Landscape Transformation on a Budget - Bozeman, MT Virtual
06/04/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Landscape Myth Busters - California American Water Virtual
06/05/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Garden Design - IN PERSON, Santa Margarita / Moulton Niguel Water Districts Mission Viejo
06/06/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Nature and Health: The People/Plant Connection - USGV Virtual
06/08/2024 9:00 AM - 10:45 AM Garden Design - IN PERSON, City of Long Beach Long Beach
06/13/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Weed & Pest Management - Monterey Virtual
06/18/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Webinar Virtual
06/22/2024 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Training - IN PERSON, City of Oxnard Oxnard
06/22/2024 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM Goodbye Grass: Qualify for a Turf Replacement Rebate Virtual
07/11/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Graywater Basics - Monterey Virtual
07/13/2024 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Training - IN PERSON, City of Long Beach Long Beach
07/16/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Landscape Transformation on a Budget - California American Water Virtual
08/03/2024 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Turf: Remove, Replace, Maintain - IN PERSON, City of Long Beach Long Beach
08/07/2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM SoCal Gas Pro Series - Water Budgeting, Tightening in Times of Drought Virtual
08/13/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Eat Your Garden - California American Water Virtual
09/10/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Eat your Garden - Monterey Virtual
09/12/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Webinar Virtual
09/14/2024 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM CA Friendly Native Plant Landscape Training - IN PERSON, City of Long Beach Long Beach
09/14/2024 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Gardening in Shade and Other Landscape Challenges - California American Water Virtual
09/24/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Weed & Pest Management - California American Water Virtual
09/26/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Rainwater Capture Workshop - Monterey Virtual
10/08/2024 6:00 PM - 7:15 PM Hugelkultur and Beyond - California American Water Virtual
10/10/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Compost: Building the Soil Sponge - Monterey Virtual
10/22/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Landscape Myth Busters - Monterey Virtual
10/30/2024 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM SoCal Gas Pro Series - Rainwater Capture, Advanced Discussion Virtual
11/06/2024 - 11/07/2024 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Watershed Wise Landscape Professional Certification - SoCal Gas Downey
11/12/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Permeable Everywhere - California American Water Virtual
11/14/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Permeable Everywhere - Monterey Virtual
12/10/2024 6:00 PM - 7:00 PM Coming Up Roses and Daffodils - California American Water Virtual