Garden Guide

Daylight Savings: Fall Back = Reduce Outdoor Watering

Established landscapes that have been planted for two or more summers typically don't require irrigation during the cold season. Reduce your irrigation frequency or turn your system off to avoid overwatering. soil moisture meter for garden

Test soil moisture:

Use your finger inserted knuckle deep or
Use a moisture meter, available free from the Water & Sewer Utilities Office at City Hall. Wipe clean & store after each use.

Check soil moisture at several different spots in your garden, particularly where you may have different types of irrigation (spray, drip, bubblers) to determine which irrigation zones can be reduced or turned off completely.

Watering Tips:

Only run sprinklers and spray irrigation between 6PM and 9AM.

Early morning watering:

Works best with plants' natural cycles to take in water
Minimizes evaporation (heat and wind occur later in the day)
Reduces the fungal rot risk and slug/snail attraction of nighttime watering

City of Santa Clara Permanent Water Use Prohibitions do not allow sprinklers and spray irrigation to run between 9AM and 6PM.

Overhead irrigation prohibited from 9AM to 6AM

Mulch now to help reduce weeds that follow rains.

Mulch retains soil moisture & protects plants.

Annuals: shredded leaves, aged wood chips
General landscape planting: aged wood chips
Unplanted areas: fresh or aged wood chips for weed suppression
Lawn: grass clippings. A mulching mower makes it easy to cycle water & nutrients!
Veggies: hay or straw*, composted grass

* available at feed & pet shops

Santa Clara County Native Plant & Gardening Resources

California Gardening Resources

Landscape Conversion Rebate Plant Photo Glossaries & more

Valley Water Qualifying CALIFORNIA NATIVE Plants
Valley Water Qualifying Plants
Water Rebates: options for Santa Clara residents & businesses

Planning a Garden Renovation?

	Need seeds for your garden? Check out Santa Clara Seed Share!
	How it works...
	Central Park Library, 2nd Floor
	2635 Homestead Road, Santa Clara

Gardening Classes

The Bay Area Water Supply & Conservation Agency's Landscape Classes cover practical water-wise gardening taught by landscape experts each fall and spring.

Enjoy BAWSCA videos from previous City of Santa Clara hosted water-wise gardening classes.

Questions?

Contact the Water Utility Conservation/Efficiency Coordinator:
vgleason@santaclaraca.gov
(408) 615-2000

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