Increased property values through water
By Steve Economou
As you read this , we are entering the full glory of our spring season . Community Associations will start to see more activity - as homeowners reestablish their warm weather routines : walking , bicycling , etc . the color of those soft clear spring tones comes to mind . New growth , pale greenery and blossoms begin to appear . Even though we have a year-round climate for growing , the spring show provides a more intense offering . Wildflowers are the harbinger . These annuals pop up all over our hillsides and along the freeway , reminding us of the season of fresh activities and planning .
Now is the time to set landscape goals for the upcoming seasons . With a goal of saving water while intensifying the natural beauty
and increasing property value in your association , comes a period of planning . The first project is to look closely at water usage and monitor your irrigation budget . The winter was kind and we had more than our annual average of 10.33 inches , an abundance of growth follows . When we fall on the arid side , then spring is the time to make plans to compensate .
If your community is already using water-wise techniques , you would have drastically reduced irrigation schedules , or even turned your entire system off for several months , late last fall . And that means now is a good time to reset your programs and test your overall system . If you using smart controllers or more commonly referred to as “ irrigation timers ” that makes the task much easier .
Smart controllers automatically update the irrigation schedule to adjust water needs through the year . A smart controller will electronically reduce the watering times as we enter our cool , rainy winters when most of our rain is delivered ( between November and May ). Less irrigation is needed . Then as the weather begins to warm up and we enter our dry summer , the controller will add more watering time . Creating water budgets allows you to see how accurately your system is performing and to get a handle on water bills .
The next step is to look for areas that could be converted to colorful , drought resistant plants . This is where California native plants are a beautiful alternative .
Maybe you have seen those riotously colorful traditional flower borders in the coffee table garden books , posted on web sites , or photographed in gardening catalogs . Californians can get that look in one of two ways : use a palette of plants from climates that boast higher rainfall : hydrangeas ( China and the Himalayas ), impatiens ( New Guinea ), Gerbera daisy ( South America ) or use native plants that add color , texture , scent and use a fraction of the water - the progressive alternative that fits southern California ’ s climate .
Consider getting started this spring . Our favorite spring blooming plants are in the sage family . Two in particular are stellar :
Tall , intense magenta
flower spikes of the Hummingbird Sage attract lots of hummers . The two-foot tall spikes are accented by large , fuzzy soft-green leaves that give off a pleasing minty fragrance . This plant slowly spreads , using easy to cultivate rhizomes . ( Salvia spathacea )
Cleveland Sage is another reliable performer . Where the Hummingbird Sage is deep red , the Cleveland sage is a twelve-inch tall stem with golf-ball sized clusters of lavender-colored , delicately perfumed flowers along the stalk . The gray foliage is also nicely aromatic and soft to the touch . This beauty performs well in dry , sunny gardens . Hummingbirds and butterflies are drawn to native sages , as are some songbirds . ( Salvia clevelandii )
“ Now is the time to set landscape goals for the upcoming seasons . With a goal of saving water while intensifying the natural beauty and increasing property value in your association ,” savings and landscape beautification
Here is a plant that is a San Diego native - how much better can it get ? And it is a good , cheerful bloomer : San Diego Sunflower . This one is so profuse , you may see blooms year-round . The blossoms look like daisies crossed with the larger non-native sunflowers : cheerful yellow petals and a nice central button of smaller yellow buds . This plant pairs well with Salvia clevelandii . San Diego Sunflower tolerates everything from regular water through drought , sun to part-sun , sand to clay , but it does not like standing water . ( Viguiera laciniata ).
Install these perennials and you have the beginnings of a water-wise garden . This means you will reduce the need for expensive annual plantings that are a strain on the environment and the budget .
When we find new ways to break through outmoded patterns , we often come up with creative solutions that carry additional side benefits . And saving water is an example :
• Less transportation required to bring the plants to market . By their very nature , natives are grown close to where they will be installed . Less transportation reduces carbon footprint .
• Less water means less energy usage . Susan Krzywicki , Rainscape Native Plant Consultant tells us that , “ Water-related energy use ( for example , bringing water from Northern California to Southern California ) consumes 19 % of the state ’ s electricity .
Starting off on the adventure of using California natives can be a little daunting at first ; so many plants , so many new names . As with any new venture , the process brings us to a new level of understanding and these unfamiliar plants become like good friends . You learn their names , their color , their scent , their role in our heritage and our future . Our children learn important social , historical and scientific lessons . Benefits abound and you are rewarded for your efforts .
Steven Economou Founder and CEO Rainscape Environmental Management 8322 Clairemont Mesa Boulevard , Suite 112 San Diego , CA 92111 Phone ( 858 ) 650-3398 steve @ rainscape . com www . Rainscape . com
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10 | The HOA Board Quarterly | Issue # 2 | Spring 2012 Spring 2012 | Issue # 2 | The HOA Board Quarterly | 11