Water-wise Landscape

4 WAYS TO REMOVE YOUR LAWN

Lawn Removal is the First Step in converting to a water-wise landscape.

WATER-WISE-LANDSCAPE-7DIG IT UP 
Good for all-sized lawns.

  1. Option A: Let your lawn dry after not watering for several weeks and remove.
  2. Option B: Soak your lawn with water then dig it up. Soil will be heavy and difficult to haul. It is best to let it dry before disposal.

For both options A & B: Dig down at least 2 inches, 4-6 if there are deep roots.

Tip: Save time and labor by removing lawn only 18 inches to 3 feet out form concrete or hard space. Fill the remaining area with 2-4 inches of mulch after lawn its dead.

WATER-WISE-LANDSCAPE-5LAYERING
Good for smaller areas, does not work well if windy.

  1. 1Cover lawn with 1 layer of clean cardboard or 6-12 layers of newspaper, overlapping at least 6 inches.
  2. Place 4 to 6 inches of organic mulch on top
  3. Water into bind together, grass will die in two or so months.
  4. Dig through the layers and mulch to add plant material in the soil.

SOLARIZINGWATER-WISE-LANDSCAPE-4
Must be done during warmer months.

  1. Mow the lawn low with the mover on the lowest setting (approx 1/2 inch above the ground)
  2. Water the lawn so the ground is soaked.
  3. Right after watering (within 1-3 hours), cover the lawn with a clear, plastic tarp to hold in water and let the sun sweat the lawn until dead. Process could take from 4-6 weeks.

SPRAYINGWATER-WISE-LANDSCAPE-6
Chemicals purchased at your local Home Improvement store are safe when used correctly and when following the label.

  1. Let grass grow until 4-6 inches in length.
  2. Spray the grass blades with herbicide per label and water the lawn 48 hours after application.
  3. After 7 to 10 days, re-spray any areas that are still green per label.
  4. Remove the last bits of grass by hand.

3 STEPS TO COMPLETE YOUR WATER-WISE LANDSCAPE MAKEOVER

1. DESIGN THE YARD:WATER-WISE-LANDSCAPE-3

Attend a FREE Water-Wise Landscaping Workshop (check coltonlandscape.com to see the schedule of available workshops) talk to nursery staff, look at neighbor’s landscapes, study books on landscaping, and check websites.


WATER-WISE-LANDSCAPE-12. UPDATE YOUR IRRIGATION SYSTEM:

Think about what you are planting and where you are planting it before you decide on overhead sprinkles or drip. Consider upgrading your Irrigation Timer to a new Smart Timer (Rebates for timers and nozzles from the City of Colton are available).


WATER-WISE-LANDSCAPE-23. MULCH:

Remember to top off your finished landscape with 2-4 inches of mulch. This will help reduce evaporation, keep weeds down, and looks decorative. (Rebates for drought-tolerant plants and mulch are available).