WaterSmart gardener

Get up to $2,000 to replace your thirsty lawn, upgrade inefficient irrigation, and safely divert laundry water to your garden.

Invest in a healthy, resilient garden by selecting water wise plants and trees that use little or no water once established.

A step by step guide with resources and how-to videos to transform your lawn to a snazzy water wise garden.

Find out how to save water and beautify your garden with compost and mulch, and save money with our mulch coupons.

Qualified professionals create landscapes that conserve water and soil, reduce waste, and prevent pollution.

Grants are available to community organizations who create public garden projects that demonstrate water conserving principles.

Here are some WaterSmart examples from homes around the Bay Area to get your gardening juices flowing.

Take a look at dozens of landscape transformations submitted during our first ever "before and after" lawn conversion photo challenge. 

Tour beautiful, water-conserving native gardens throughout the East Bay every year on the first weekend of May.

Use this map to find beautiful, water wise and accessible community gardens throughout our region.

Find out how many gallons of water you can save annually by converting your lawn to a low water use garden.

Starting a native plant garden doesn’t have to be complicated. This easy guide takes the guesswork out of which plants to use where. (Printer friendly version here).

Eight contemporary front yard plans are available for various styles, and can be scaled for landscapes up to 2,500 square feet.  Templates are courtesy of the Sonoma-Marin Saving Water Partnership. 

Find the perfect native plants for your garden and designs to fit your landscaping style. Want to attract butterflies or avoid deer? Need HOA friendly designs? Plants are customized based on your zip code.

You don't need to live in San Lorenzo to use this book: it includes four garden design for various lot types, illustrations, plant lists, estimated costs, and how-to guidance.

Consult our suggested watering times as a starting point for updating your sprinkler or drip irrigation schedule with the seasons.

WaterSense (EPA partnership) is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping you save water.

Save water and our trees. Keep your trees healthy and happy with this tree watering advice and additional resources.

Master Gardeners offer monthly garden tips, a plant helpline, community events in Contra Costa and Alameda County.

Find outdoor water conservation tips here, whether you want a quick fix or are committed to long-term conservation.

Videos and seasonal tips and best practices to maintain a healthy, drought-tolerant and low-maintenance landscape.

A free eBook on maintenance for landscapers, gardeners, and land managers. 

Make small adjustments to keep your lawn healthy using little or no pesticide.

Rebates, services and resources for commercial landscapes. Includes success stories, water budget program, and audit services.

Stay on top of sustainable landscaping with our newsletter, professional development resources, and Sustainable Landscape Speaker Series.