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Water Wise Gardening
The principles of ocean-friendly gardening include minimizing the grass on your property, using plants that are native to our area or other plants that have minimal water requirements, eliminating the use of pesticides, and conserving water.
The benefits of removing your grass include: reduced water usage, less labor for maintenance and less chemical pollution of the storm water system.
Currently, the LADWP Turf Removal Program gives residents incentives to remove their turf. Residents receive $1.50 per square foot removed, with a minimum removal of 200 square feet. Details are on the LADWP website. It is necessary to apply for the program before removing the grass.
Turf can be substituted with water-wise plants including California natives and Mediterranean type plants, succulents and edibles. Resources for plant selections include www.theodorepayne.org, www.sunset.com, www.bewaterwise.com, and www.rsabg.org (Grow Native Nursery, Westwood).
Helpful resources for turf removal and replacement include Theodore Payne Foundation, theodorepayne.org bewaterwise.com, ladwp.com, and Surfrider, surfrider.org. Photos of drought tolerant gardens from the Mar Vista Green Garden Tour:
www.marvistagreengardenshowcase.blogspot.com