Drought Tolerant Landscapes
Below are a few resources to help you transform your water-thirsty turf into a water-efficient and California-friendly landscape:
Turf Transformation Rebate Program
Residential and commercial water customers are eligible to receive $2 per square foot for replacing turf with drought tolerant and native plants, retrofitting to a drip/efficient irrigation system, and capturing rainwater.
Landscape Guide
Explore beautiful sustainable, climate appropriate, and drought tolerant plants, trees and grasses that thrive in Pasadena.
Informational MWD Guide
Maintain a healthy, resilient landscape when faced with watering restrictions or limited water availability.
Free Workshops
PWP hosts water-conservation workshops and events such as Laundry-to-Landscape Greywater Workshops, Efficient Irrigation Workshops, Rain Barrel Demonstrations, and the new Watershed Wise Landscaping Workshop Series. Visit our Events page to learn more.
Check out our recent virtual Pasadena Grows Workshop!
Presentations from the Watershed Wise Workshops
PWP recently held a Watershed Wise Landscaping Series, which taught participants how to properly create a landscape using the watershed approach. Download the presentations from the workshops below:
- Watershed Wise Landscaping
- Turf Removal & Building Healthy Soil
- Plant Choices for the Water Wise Garden
- Retrofitting Your Irrigation System
Free Landscape Surveys
Customers interested in retrofitting their landscape and irrigation to save water can apply for a free landscape survey through the Home Improvement Program. The survey will include an irrigation system evaluation to identify potential leaks, overspray issues, and opportunities for drip and micro spray systems; and setting your irrigation contoller to the current schedule for Pasadena. To learn more, please visit the Home Improvement webpage.
Free Mulch Program
The Pasadena Public Works Department offers free water-saving mulch to residents. New loads of mulch will be available each year from February through November. Visit the Mulch Recycling website for this year's pickup schedule.
Tree Care Information
When you replace turf and other water-hungry plants with drought-tolerant gardens, make sure to properly care for your trees. Check out the infographics below on tree care maintenance:
- Tips for Tree Maintenance During Landscape Transformations
- How to Help Your Trees Survive During a Drought
Step-by-Step Guide to Create a Drought Tolerant Landscape (PDF Guides)
- How Much Turf to Remove
- Methods for Removing Grass
- Landscape Design Plans
- Modifying the Irrigation
- Maintaining the new Landscape
Drought Tolerant Design Ideas
Sample drought-tolerant landscape design ideas for parkways:
