Water and Water Conservation

Due to climate change and global warming, drought is now a constant reality. Water conservation and using water wisely is critical. Water supplies and watershed must be protected and preserved. Gardening and sustainable practices must make use of waterwise irrigation.

Southern California officials are issuing new restrictions on outdoor water use amid the worsening drought. It’s fine for lawns to go brown – and it’s even better if we replace them. But we must keep trees alive and healthy. It’s OK to water them responsibly. Even the San Diego County Water Authority encourages residents to water their trees.

Trees are the most powerful weapon to fight against global warming and climate change. We know trees clean the air by filtering pollutants and producing oxygen. Trees also reduce energy costs by providing shade and cooling the air, offsetting the scorching heat coming from streets, concrete, and buildings. (the “urban heat island effect”). California street trees save the amount of electricity it would take to air condition 530,000 households every year.

During a drought, avoid pruning or other routine maintenance, and avoid fertilizing the tree. You don’t want to encourage too much growth. And if you are letting your lawn die around your trees, great! Lawn competes with your trees for water. In fact, it’s a great idea to take the lawn out around your trees, and replace it with something more drought-tolerant anyway.

Going Gray(Water) The Safe Way

| August 21, 2014 | Categories: Environment, Gardening, Good Earth Plant Company Tips, Indoor Plants, Plantscaping, Sustainable Living, Water and Water Conservation
living wall
In a previous blog post, Good Earth Plant Company shared some of our best tips on how to conserve water while keeping your plants healthy. Landscape irrigation has the highest use of water in the average household. Watering your plants efficiently is a great start to reach the goal to reduce our water use by 20% by 2020. However, this alone is not enough. Good Earth Plants can help you take the next step to effectively conserve water by using gray water systems. Gray water systems are used to recycle water already used once in your shower and laundry water for the purpose of watering your garden.… Read More

Tips for Saving Water Without Killing Your Plants

| July 31, 2014 | Categories: Gardening, Good Earth Plant Company Tips, Indoor Plants, Sustainable Living, Water and Water Conservation
The living wall at SDG&E's Energy Innovation Center is filled with drought tolerant plants.
“Oh man, do we need it!” This is the sentence muttered by every San Diegan when discussing the topic of rain. This is California’s third consecutive dry year, and things are not looking bright for the future. We wrote about this issue in January, and here we are again because the conditions have yet to improve. In 2010, California put in a place a goal to have residents cut their water use by 20 percent by 2020. Many of you may be wondering, ‘How will I do this and not let all my plants die in the process?’ Good Earth Plant Company has four water saving tips for plant lovers.… Read More

Water Water Nowhere: California’s Drought Crisis of 2014

| January 30, 2014 | Categories: Environment, Green Roofs, Indoor Plants, Living Walls, Sustainable Living, Water and Water Conservation
California’s water situation has officially become a CRISIS. Governor Jerry Brown has declared a State of Emergency for California and we are scheduled to have the driest year (2014) on record. Reservoirs are at very low levels and the snowpack is 20 percent of the normal average for January. That’s the bad news. And there isn’t much good news. For Good Earth Plants and GreenScaped Buildings, increasing water costs and less rainfall means a quantum shift in our thinking. Gone are the days of the lush green lawn. We are designing, installing and maintaining drought-tolerant plantscapes that rely on minimal irrigation.… Read More

Disguised as a Volunteer

| August 6, 2013 | Categories: Agriculture and Farming, Awards & Achievements, Sustainable Living, Water and Water Conservation
  There are Angels walking the trails at the Escondido Creek Conservancy. They are also happily hiking Mission Trails, Torrey Pines State Park and numerous other locales filled with regional flora and wildlife. You may not recognize them as they might be wearing a vest with pockets, a shirt with a badge or maybe just a plastic nametag. These Angels are the volunteers at our local parks, preserves and wildlife areas. They don’t get paid, but instead they “pay it forward” to eager children and interested adults who wander these local paths. While indulging in a good read of the UT San Diego , I came across an article about one such Angel, 54 year-old Donna Walker. … Read More

Rainwater Harvesting Tips

| January 24, 2013 | Categories: Gardening, Good Earth Plant Company Tips, Sustainable Living, Water and Water Conservation
With the upcoming storm we though we would share some information with you on rainwater harvesting, courtesy of GreenScaped Buildings Project Manager Kevin Norton. Rainwater is typically used to supplement potable water for landscape watering. By capturing large amounts of rainwater you can guarantee your potable water use during the driest months will be a minimum in comparison to your current water usage. Rainwater is best used for lawns, flowers and vegetable gardens. In drought stricken areas like Australia and San Diego, rainwater is used to supplement typical household water uses like laundry, then it is “re-purposed” as greywater to the landscape.… Read More