Is it possible to have a beautiful yard in the midst of California's severe drought?  Kern Green sat down with our sustainable landscape design specialist, Amber Beeson, to get advice on how to cut outdoor water use in half and create a beautiful outdoor space.

Q:  I want to change the look of the plants in my flowerbeds.  What plants should I choose?

A: Native herbs like lavender, rosemary, salvia and sages all acclimate well to Bakersfield's conditions.  Succulents only need to be watered about once a week and they like the heat, but they can only handle about four to six hours of sun, so plant succulents in a spot where they will get some shade.  Ornamental grasses like Mexican feathergrass and fountain grass are nice for filling in beds and only need to be cut back once a year.

Q:  What should I do to prepare my flowerbeds for the heat of summer?

A:  The first step is to add 2 or 3 inches of compost to your soil.  To do this, break up the top few inches of soil, pour the compost on top, then work the compost into the soil with a rake or spreader.  Next add lines for drip irrigation.  If you currently have traditional sprayers you can buy a conversion kit at your local hardware store.  Once drip lines are in place, spread 1 or 2 inches of mulch on top.  I use Walk On Bark from The Bulk Yard. Their prices are great and they deliver.  If you follow these steps your beds will look better and you can reduce your water usage by 30-50%.

Q:  I have a lawn.  Is there anything I can do to use less water?

A:  Lawns are water hogs, but you can use less water by encouraging the roots to grow stronger and longer.  First, only cut your grass twice a month.  The longer the grass blades are, the longer the root system will be.  Second, feed your grass with compost. Every spring, spread an inch of compost on your lawn.  Then give the grass two weeks to grow through the compost. Finally, your grass needs minerals.  I recommend Mycoapply and Azomite.

Q:  Here's the big question: watering.  I hear that we are only allowed to water twice a week.  Is that possible?

A:  Absolutely.  The best time to water is early in the morning.  Watering in the heat of the day not only causes evaporation, but the drops of water act like a magnifying glass and burn plants' leaves. I don't recommend watering at night since this can cause root rot.   When you water twice a week your grass will need about 7 to 10 minutes.  Drip systems will need about 20 to 30 minutes.   When you water, watch for leaks and broken sprinklers.

If you have any questions for Amber, she will be happy to answer them.  The best way to reach her is through her Facebook page.

California is in the midst of a severe drought and water shortages loom this summer.  Kern Green urges you to do your part and cut your usage. 

The Basics

Whenever possible, opt for recycled materials that are made in the USA. Making recycled products overseas often means that our recycled products are first shipped overseas, manufactured and then shipped back to us, thereby increasing their carbon footprint.  Companies such as Green Toys make their items from recycled plastic and are made in America. 

The next time you buy paper towels, paper napkins, toilet paper and facial tissue, opt for the recycled item instead of the traditional one.  Why?  It takes less energy and water to create items from recycled material than from raw materials.  Also, using recycled materials reduces the amount of pollutants emitted during resource acquisition and product manufacturing.

Need to restock your office?  Recycled copy paper, notebook paper and sticky notes are of the same quality as those made from virgin materials.  Every ton of paper that is recycled saves 17 trees, 7,000 gallons of water, and 4100 kwh of energy.  If you think a piece of paper can have no impact on the environment, consider this: 36% of the average landfill is comprised of paper. 

The Surprising 

Never throw a plastic water bottle in the trash, it has unfinished work to do!  Plastic water bottles can be recycled into other containers, but did you know that they can also become the fabric in your clothes, the fiberfill in your coat, and the upholstery and carpeting around your house? In fact, recycling just five two-liter bottles can produce enough polyester for a square yard of carpet.

Glass can be recycled endlessly without any loss in purity or quality.  Recycled glass is primarily used to make new containers, and recycled glass bottles can also be turned into countertops, flooring, tile, landscaping stones and bricks. 

The next time you embark on a home improvement project, give serious thought to buying products made from recycled materials.  You will beautify your home and create less of a negative impact on the environment.

Keep in Mind 

April is a great time to stock up on recycled products.  Major retailers offer many discounts and sales this time of year.  So take advantage of the sale prices and buy your recycled materials in bulk. 

Recycling is always a good choice, but to have the most positive impact on our world we need to close the loop by buying recycled products.  So take the Buy Recycled challenge in April, and... Happy Shopping!