Welcome to WaterSmart gardener, our resource center for outdoor water conservation.
Professional landscapers and customers with large landscapes should also visit our dedicated pages for Commercial Irrigation.
Create a Water Wise Garden
Water Conservation provides tools and resources to help you create a water-efficient landscape at your home.
Get up to $2,000 to replace your thirsty lawn, upgrade inefficient irrigation, and safely divert laundry water to your garden.
Find out how many gallons of water you can save annually by converting your lawn to a low water use garden.
Invest in a healthy, resilient garden by selecting water wise plants and trees that use little or no water once established.
Not sure where to start? Get an overview of the entire process, including DIY sheet-mulching, planting, and watering.
Find out how to save water and beautify your garden with compost and mulch, and save money with our mulch coupons.
Comprehensive overview of landscaping design and maintenance best practices to reduce minimize risk from wildfires.
Qualified professionals create landscapes that conserve water and soil, reduce waste, and prevent pollution.
Follow the principles of the watershed approach for attractive, lush and evergreen gardens that require less water, but don't look dry.
Grants are available to community organizations who create public garden projects that demonstrate water conserving principles.
Reimagine Your Landscape
Browse through examples beautiful, lush and water-efficient gardens in your neighborhood and across California.
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.
All over California, people are re-imagining their landscapes. Find pictures and personal stories and videos about their experience.
Use this map to find beautiful, water wise public community gardens throughout our region.
Browse before and after photos from all over the West, and add a photo of your own to inspire others!
Maintenance and Care
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.
Rebates, videos, tools - even a kids corner! - and testimonials on making water conservation a California lifestyle.
Make small adjustments to keep your lawn healthy using little or no pesticide.