Getting Rid of My Lawn
Having an expansive lawn is just a lazy and uncreative person's go-to landscape plan: One doesn't have to think about what to plant, what plants are drought tolerant in this dry Southern California weather, and what kind of landscaping might make the yard more usable. Just slap on a lawn, keep watering it so it looks lush and green, and have friends come and say "oh, you have a nice yard." Yard, meaning nothing but turf and some trees and flowers along the border. I used to think a grassy yard lends itself to lying on it, romantically looking up at the ever changing clouds, taking a nap, having a picnic, . . . except I never do any of these things. There are bugs and yellow jackets on the grass, my back hurts lying there, and picnicking just invites ants on my food. So, after 20 years, that piece of yard is still just a piece of useless yard.
Someone on my Twitter feed (Most information I get are from social media) mentioned that to encourage water saving practices, Los Angeles DWP's Turf Removal Program is giving rebates for homeowners who remove their water thirsty grassy lawns and replacing them with permeable, drought tolerant landscaping. I've been tired of my lawn for quite some time now, and I've been inspired by native gardens such as the one at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, the landscaping at Pitzer College, and even the landscaping at this pottery wholesale store in the City of Duarte, called Asian Ceramics.
I decided to take the plunge.
DWP promises to give homeowners $2.00 for every square foot of turf removed and replaced with drought tolerant plans and permeable ground cover. To apply, I had to fill out an application form, attach photos of what my lawn looks like now, of my sprinkler system, and measurements of how much turf I plan to remove. I my case, I have just about 700 sq. ft. in the front yard and 300 sq. ft in our back yard, totalling 1000 sq. ft. I estimate that if approved, I'll receive about $2000. Not bad. I submitted my application.
Two weeks later, I received an email approving my application. I now have 120 days to complete the turf removal and replanting. After it's done, I can send in new photos of my transformed lawn, or I can wait for an inspector to come and examine my new yard. If approved, I'll be getting my check!
Now comes the hard part: Deciding on how to landscape the yard, what plants to plant, and what irrigation system to use. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress!
Someone on my Twitter feed (Most information I get are from social media) mentioned that to encourage water saving practices, Los Angeles DWP's Turf Removal Program is giving rebates for homeowners who remove their water thirsty grassy lawns and replacing them with permeable, drought tolerant landscaping. I've been tired of my lawn for quite some time now, and I've been inspired by native gardens such as the one at the Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, the landscaping at Pitzer College, and even the landscaping at this pottery wholesale store in the City of Duarte, called Asian Ceramics.
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| Pitzer College Drought Tolerant Landscape |
I decided to take the plunge.
DWP promises to give homeowners $2.00 for every square foot of turf removed and replaced with drought tolerant plans and permeable ground cover. To apply, I had to fill out an application form, attach photos of what my lawn looks like now, of my sprinkler system, and measurements of how much turf I plan to remove. I my case, I have just about 700 sq. ft. in the front yard and 300 sq. ft in our back yard, totalling 1000 sq. ft. I estimate that if approved, I'll receive about $2000. Not bad. I submitted my application.
Two weeks later, I received an email approving my application. I now have 120 days to complete the turf removal and replanting. After it's done, I can send in new photos of my transformed lawn, or I can wait for an inspector to come and examine my new yard. If approved, I'll be getting my check!
Now comes the hard part: Deciding on how to landscape the yard, what plants to plant, and what irrigation system to use. I'll keep everyone updated on my progress!
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