THE DESIGN PROCESS PART 2 - REBATES AND AGENCY RESTRICTIONS

Sometimes it's nice to have a little area of grass.  If there are dogs or little ones that are going to actively use it then why not.  But if you know that it will never get used then why not chuck it and get some free cash for doing so.  This is where rebates come in to play.  If your water district is offering them then I would highly recommend you take advantage.  But there are some rules to follow before you can just get the cash.

Now what if you have an HOA?  Do you need to submit drawings and what is the process like.?  In this video (part 2) you will learn about both rebates and agency restrictions.   

This continues the 8 week video series about the design process.  At the end of the 8 weeks there will be a special offer to those who watched the video series to get my landscape design checklist kit for only $2.  It's a win win for you and your budget.   Because hiring the right designer is key to getting that drought tolerant landscape that suits your every life style and won't dent your wallet. 

You can watch the other design process videos here:  http://tinyurl.com/y8ftydfe

MY PATIO GARDEN - PART ONE

I recently sold my Tustin condo and bought another condo in Santa Ana.  This time unlike the last I have a patio (right picture) that I get to landscape.  Although the patio is in full sun with concrete (cannot be removed per HOA rules) at least it is a space that I can have planters in and whatnot.  For me being finally able to have my own garden is exciting and much like any other client I created a drawing so that I could see exactly how much space I have to work with.  The total area is 100 square feet.  Small with a lot of potential.

I started by measuring the space and digitally creating a site plan.  Then I (digitally) drew two options based on what I was looking for, budget and what would realistically work.  I also have a homeowners association, so I had to take into account their rules and guidelines (in my case it was not that bad).

In designing this space I knew that I wanted not only a California native garden but also an edible one and since I can't plant in the ground I was thus limited to containers.  I decided to have some raised garden beds that I found reasonably priced at Ikea.  I also had some Woolly Pockets, a beige Greenbo railing planter and a pair of green metal chairs from my old place that I wanted to reuse.  I also want to try making a succulent pillow as a fun accent in the garden. Another cool feature that I am really excited about is being able to compost. I found this really neat worm composting system from this Etsy shop.  What I like about this system is that it is not made of plastic and looks decorative.

In regards to a color scheme I wanted to do something different than the interior of my space which consists of more reds, greens and browns.  The existing chairs are green (my favorite color) and the flowers will be a mixture of blue, purple, yellow and white.  I also found really cool green/white/blue outdoor pillows at home goods along with some cool decorative accents.

The idea is to plant natives in the raised beds and edibles in everything else.  Some of plants I intend on using are:

• Lettuce 
• Spinach
• Parsley
• Cilantro
• Green onion
• Dudleya in various speicies
• Salvia clevelandii 'Japutal' - Japutal Cleveland Sage (purple flower)
• Frageria californica - Woodland Strawberry (white flower)
• Berlandiera lyrata - Chocolate Daisy (yellow flower)
• Ceanothus thyrsiflorus 'Skylark' - Skylark Ceanothus (cobalt blue flower)

In regards to budget...  I knew that I would spend at least $500 on the materials but do not want to go over a thousand.  If you think that spending a up to a thousand is too much, it's actually not when you consider quality.  I could have bought a cheap plastic worm composter but plastic is really harmful to the environment and looks cheap.  The next phase is to purchase all the materials and begin assembly. I am going to buy everything but the plants and get them in place and take one last look to make sure that my plant palette works with my end goal in mind.  Stay tuned as I post updates on my garden transformation.  

TURF REBATE DO'S AND DON'TS

If you are thinking about applying for any turf rebate program (via the municipal water district of O.C.) then I would suggest that you read this first before doing so.  I have had many clients participate in the program and have learned a thing or two about the participation process.

1. Check to see if your water agency is participating.  If they are not then I would call them up and question why they are not.  Better yet call me and I will light a fire for you.  
2. Be sure that the turf you have in fact will qualify.  It has to be living, mostly lush and green.  
3. Be honest in telling them how much turf you really have (your landscape designer should be able to tell you exactly what you have).  Don't bother making up a number, because they will come by and measure the area regardless of what you tell them.  
4. Read their guidelines carefully as they have restrictions on what you can and cannot do.  For example you cannot put any grass back in and must use permeable paving. 
5. Get a design done first and hire a contractor first before you submit the application.  Your deadline once approved is 60 days and they will require to see a design upon submital.  They will also ask whom you are hiring to do the work and may ask for the individuals license number.  You can tell whomever the contractor is that they cannot do any work until you are approved but once you are he/she can get rolling.  
6. Ask your landscape designer and landscape contractor to give you a receipt for their services.  You will be required to show them.  

If you are in need of a landscape designer to assist you in qualifying for the turf rebate program then do not hesitate to contact me and I will happy help you out.  

WOO HOO AND HURRAY TO THE GOLDEN STATE

This info in courtesy of the Los Angeles Times.

In a whopping move that all states should practice the state of California passes a bill that will ban the use of plastic bags at supermarket check out stands. You will now pay 5 cents per bag or you could save this cost and just bring your own reusable bags.

Environmentalists say "the single-use bags endanger marine life and are more likely to foul beaches than any other form of pollution." The citizens of California use 19 billion of plastic bags per year (552 per person) as reported by the assembly bill analysis.

Such cities as San Francisco, Palo Alto and other across the state have already banned the use of plastic bags. "It's easier to have a statewide ban than it is to have to figure out how to operate city to city," said Assembly Speaker John Pérez (D- Los Angeles). Even the governor is on board and ready to sign this bill.

Instead of using plastic bags which get thrown away and wasted you should seriously consider reusable bags that cost about $1 each and can last a long time. Not to mention reusable bags are much friendlier to the environment.

Kudos to the golden state!

AB 370 AND UNLICENSED CONTRACTORS

I was just reading California landscaping magazine and came across this mini article that tickled me pink. I have heard of ab 370 before and I believe it is a must share. The governor signed a California landscape contractors association measure that will increase the maximum criminal fines for all unlicensed contractors. Here is how the measure works...

Your first conviction will be punishable by a fine of $5000 or perhaps going to county jail for 6 months or both. Your second offense, will have a fine that is 20% of the contract price for whatever job the unlicensed contractor was hired for. The third strike you get a fine and you go to jail + 20% of the contract price.

This measure is also meant to protect the consumer from unlicensed contractors. I personally love it! The reality is that if you are a landscape designer for example then the only thing you can legally install is up to $750 worth of plant material and nothing else. If a landscape designer wanted to install more than that then he/she would have to become a licensed landscape contractor. Non profits however can install plants up to any amount but only plants. If you are going to operate a landscape business, whether to design or install or both then you might as well operate legally and spare yourself unnecessary headaches.

CALIFORNIA'S NEW GREEN BUILDING CODE

This is the first in the nation and a good step forward into sustainability. Now if they would only mandate the use of native/edible plants. Hopefully someday! California's governor today announced the California Building Standards Commission unanimously adopted the first in the nation mandatory Green Building Standards Code (CALGREEN) requiring all new buildings in the state to be more energy efficient and environmentally responsible. This does not go info effect until January 1, 2011.

Info taken from official site...

"CALGREEN will require that every new building constructed in California reduce water consumption by 20 percent, divert 50 percent of construction waste from landfills and install low pollutant-emitting materials. It also requires separate water meters for nonresidential buildings’ indoor and outdoor water use, with a requirement for moisture-sensing irrigation systems for larger landscape projects and mandatory inspections of energy systems (e.g., heat furnace, air conditioner and mechanical equipment) for nonresidential buildings over 10,000 square feet to ensure that all are working at their maximum capacity and according to their design efficiencies. The California Air Resources Board estimates that the mandatory provisions will reduce greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent) by 3 million metric tons equivalent in 2020."

Click Here for the full press release.

IRVINE UNIFIED GETS AMBITIOUS

When I was a kid growing up in Irvine, CA I hated it when my high school decided to remodel. I hated the idea of change, but as I look back I realize that the changes were just what the doctor had ordered. In fact these changes added more classrooms and made the school feel less crowded. So when I read this article on the OC Registers website I was overjoyed.

The Irvine unified school system has decided in a very ambitious master plan to install solar panels on most of their two-dozen campuses. The trustees of Irvine unified agreed to lease portions of district property to Sun Edison, which will install and maintain solar systems. It is estimated that this program could same close to $17 million in energy costs. The city of Irvine just might be the only city in California to attempt such a plan. Sun Edison will build and run these systems at their own costs and Rancho San Joaquin Middle School, will be the first recipient. This program is also education for the staff and students who can track the energy usage and learn a little something about solar systems and how they work.

AB 325 NOW AB 1881

Did you know that water efficient landscapes and irrigation systems offer more potential water savings than any other single water conservation measure!

So what does this mean for you? Well in Sept. of 1990 Gov. Pete Wilson signed Assembly Bill 325 directing the department of water resources to adopt a model local water efficient landscape ordinance (this ordinance has now been revised as AB1881) which each local agency is mandated to adopt no later than Jan. 31st 2010. Each agency (city) will thus be required to submit a copy of what they are going to do to comply with this ordinance and how they are going to do it. This ordinance is important for many reasons...

1. Promotes the values and benefits of landscapes while recognizing the need to invest water and other resources as efficiently as possible.
2. Establish a structure for designing, installing & maintaining water efficient landscapes in new projects.
3. Establish provisions for water management practices and water waste prevention for landscapes.

You may be wondering if this will affect you. Well! It will, because if your water meter reads that you used more than the maximum allowed water usage for a given month then you will be subject to fines. How much are the fines you ask? Well that would depend on each city and how they choose to enforce this ordinance.

Is this where you freak out? NO! This is where you kill your lawn and have an earth friendly landscape designed and installed. A simple cost effective solution to what might be a scary thought. But I need to have my lawn because all my neighbors do. So if you neighbor jumps off of a bridge then will you? I hope not. Seriously though you do not and cannot be mandated by any agency to have lawn in your garden. Unless you have a play/recreational area then you will most likely have no use for lawn so then why have it. Why not turn that space into something more functional and pleasing to look at.